“They went into administration, and then they were liquidated,” former Celtic star

FORMER CELTIC STAR ANDY WALKER deserves some credit today for telling it like it is regarding the financial collapse at Rangers in 2012.

Walker was a guest on Kick-Off, a TalkSport show co-hosted by the ex Crystal Palace Chairman Simon Jordan.

Jordan, who openly admits having a soft spot for the Ibrox clubs, took a pop at the other Scottish clubs for ‘demoting’ Rangers to the bottom tier of the game for season 2012/13.

Walker, the Sky Sports pundit, was having none of that though and rather refreshingly challenged the entire premise of Jordan’s stance by outlining the harsh facts on what actually happened at Rangers.

Here’s how the conversation went, starting with Jordan… “I mean I really want… of the two Old Firm (sic), I’m more leaning towards Rangers.

“I’ve always had a greater affinity with Rangers and I really want Rangers to come back (sic).

“I think over the years with Craig Whyte, even David Murray and certainly Charles Green, what was done to that football club was shocking.

“And I think to some extent, what the SPL did and what the other owners of the SPL did by booting them down the divisions, actually worked against them and I can understand why there’s a conspiracy theory that everyone is against Rangers because they all wanted them out of the league – and for bonafide reasons.

“So I do want to see Rangers being successful. I do want to see Rangers challenging Celtic because I think it makes the Scottish Premier League a far more interesting place and a far better opportunity for players to be developed and a better Scottish national side as well, doesn’t it?”

The former Celtic striker though. was having none of that, Walker replied: “I can’t let that pass Simon without just correcting you. The architects of Rangers downfall were themselves. They went into administration, and then they were liquidated.”

Jordan responded: “Yeah, I know that. But the glee and the commitment to ensuring there was no help available for Rangers from the other owners was pretty furciferous as well.”

Walker’s reply: “Yeah… well if they didn’t have many friends, I think the bigger truth is that they were spending money that they didn’t have and they left behind a trail of debt…”

Jordan: “In EBTs and so forth – I know, yeah, yeah…”

Walker: “Well the trail of debt is shameful and embarrassing and I don’t think we should forget the amount of people, the amount of businesses, the amount of industries that just weren’t paid. You can’t just put that to one side. But let’s get back to talking about the football…”

Andy Walker takes a fair amount of stick from the Celtic support – much of it with good reason – but he deserves some praise for telling it like it is to Jordan and on national radio too.