Vuckic Focusing Only On Football

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Haris Vuckic hopes Mike Ashley and Rangers sort out any problems they majey have but he remains focused only on football.

The 22-year-old Slovenian forward is the only one of five Newcastle United loanees to have made an impact at Ibrox since their signing on the final day of the January transfer window.

Vuckic finds himself in an awkward position after the Govan club confirmed Magpies owner Ashley had called on Gers shareholders, through a general meeting, to force Rangers to pay back a £5million loan he provided to the Championship side earlier this year.

The Sports Direct owner, who owns an almost nine per cent stake in the Govan club, has also asked the board to explain why the club has been de-listed from the AIM stock exchange.

Vuckic is hoping for an amicable agreement between the two parties while he tries to get Rangers into the Premiership play-off semi-final.

Stuart McCall's side lead Queen of the South 2-1 from the first-leg of their quarter final clash with the return game at Ibrox on Sunday.

Asked at a Murray Park press conference about the situation he unwittingly finds himself in, Vuckic said: "I just came here to play football and focus on Rangers. I respect both the clubs and all the problems they have got, hopefully they will solve. But I am here to play football."

If the loan, given to Rangers in January for emergency working capital, is paid back, the club will regain security over branding, the Murray Park training ground and the club's retail rights, currently held by Ashley.

The wealthy businessman's associates, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, were voted off of the club's board in March in favour of South Africa-based former director Dave King, who is awaiting Scottish FA approval to become the club's new chairman.

King had called an EGM and shareholders backed the Glaswegian and his allies, Paul Murray, currently interim chairman, and John Gilligan.

Rangers were forced to de-list from the stock exchange in April after failing to secure a new nominated adviser (Nomad).

Previous Nomad WH Ireland quit just before the March 6 general meeting which saw the new board sweep to power at Ibrox.

In his letter to the Ibrox directors, dated April 29 this year, Ashley also called for full details on a £1.5million loan given by the Three Bears consortium of Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor in March.

A Rangers spokesman said: "The board have received the request and are considering it with our advisers."