MAURICE EDU insists he was never going to quit Rangers despite the Ibrox club's descent into financial meltdown.
The American joined his Murray Park team-mates in accepting a massive pay-cut as the Gers were plunged into administration in February.
Youngsters Gregg Wylde and Mervan Celik both quit the club after agreeing to terminate their contracts and while Edu could have followed suit, the former Toronto star was determined to play his part in Rangers' fight for survival.
"Yeah, that was an option," he admitted. "But I thought that sticking by the club and staying there and playing out the season was the right thing to do.
"So that's the choice I made. It's hard to walk away from because you imagine what would have happened if we all just decided that we all would just walk away.
"What happens to the club? What happens to the team?
"As a team, as a club we all tried to really stick together, support one another."
Edu still has a year left on his Ibrox contract, but could end his time in Glasgow this summer if he decides to activate the release clause in his contract as administrators Duff and Phelp attempted to cut costs and stave off liquidation.
The midfielder admits Rangers' plight is "the most extreme and bizarre scenario that I've been in since I've been playing" and hopes progress can be made as quickly as possible as English businessman Charles Green attempts to rescue the club.
The US international admitted: "Sooner rather than later is obviously the ideal situation.
"Just because you can just relax a little bit more and you know where your future lies. Then you know what you're doing and there's not that uncertainty floating around.
"But I haven't really been thinking too much about it."
Even if Edu opts to stay at Ibrox, the future remains uncertain for boss Ally McCoist and his squad.
One certainty, however, is that the Gers will be deprived of the chance to test themselves on the European stage next season after they were not granted a UEFA licence.
Exiting administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement would end fears over a lengthy Euro ban and Edu admits continental action is crucial to the club.
"I think the Champions League is very important," sad Edu.
"I feel fortunate that I was given the chance and the opportunity to play in Champions League.
"One of the draws of me going to Rangers was that I was allowed to get that opportunity. As a kid that's what you dream of.
"I've been able to play in the Champions League now and once you get a taste of it you want to play in it more and more."