Craig Mather began his first day as Rangers' new permanent chief executive by rubbishing claims that there is turmoil in the Ibrox boardrooom.

Earlier this week ex-chairman Malcolm Murray wrote an open letter to Gers fans suggesting institutional investors would be nervous about the Ibrox club's future.

But yesterday Mather hit back, saying: "There is a lot of talk, of gossip, but the truth of the matter is that there is stability within the club, within the board."

Mather had been steering the club's finances and transfer activity on an interim basis since April, when Charles Green resigned following a controversial stint and amid a club-commissioned investigation into links with former owner Craig Whyte.

The boardroom has since seen more changes following the departure of Green and ally Imran Ahmad, with Murray replaced by Walter Smith as chairman before leaving the board along with Phil Cartmell earlier this week, as Greenock-based businessman James Easdale moved in.

But 42-year-old Mather has sought to reassure fans that the club is on a stable footing.

He said: "It's a job that I wanted and am fortunate enough to now have on a permanent basis and I intend to do something with that, to drive the club forward with stability." He added: "Rest assured I will be looking after the pennies and the pounds as well as hopefully being able to create a strategic path to get us back to the pinnacle of Scottish football and eventually Europe."

Meanwhile, centre-back Bilel Mohsni will remain with the squad for their second pre-season tour to Germany.

The former Southend player will be joined by one of McCoist's summer signings, Arnold Peralta, who has flown in from Honduras.

Winger David Templeton will stay behind with what the club described as a "minor knock".