Will the latest Ibrox headlines affect the Rangers squad?

No, says Stewart Fisher

Wednesday's Court of Session ruling, which essentially rules that EBTs to players between 2001 and 2010 were taxable, must have felt like a blast from the bad old days to fans who feel they were finally moving on from all that under Mark Warburton this season. But the notion that it is going to de-rail the club's Ladbrokes Premiership hopes seems fanciful.

While the SPL (not the SPFL) and SFA have effectively dealt with the issue of whether this presented them with a sporting advantage, and concluded - perhaps strangely - through Lord Nimmo Smith that it didn't, it seems unlikely that there will be any will or mechanism on behalf of the authorities to re-open such matters again.

Glasgow Times: Sir David Murray

EBT overlord Sir David Murray is long gone as owner, and Rangers have been relaunched as a newco, although there is the small matter of £400,000 still outstanding on Dave King and the current board due to the sins of the past.

While matters such as that could interfere with Warburton's playing budget, of more importance to the club's future is the current board's wrestling match with Mike Ashley over the Sports Direct contract.

While the players have their hands full at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship with a capable Hibs squad who are gathering momentum and will not give up the race for the title, expect Rangers to continue where they left off this season, regardless of any courtroom dramas.

Glasgow Times:

Rangers can’t afford to take their eye off the ball, says Chris Jack

AMIDST the headlines about Mike Ashley, Dave King, a £7.5million loss, EBT verdicts and calls for title stripping, it has been forgotten that Mark Warburton’s side lost a league game of football for the first time just a couple of days ago.

It has been another rollercoaster week for Rangers and the fans but the off-field dramas must be put to one side when the Light Blues return to action against Alloa this weekend.

Having seen their lead at the top of the Championship cut to just five points as they went down 2-1 at Easter Road on Sunday, Rangers cannot afford to be stung by the Wasps.

While some members of the Ibrox dressing room, players such as Lee Wallace, Nicky Law and Kenny Miller, have been through all of this before, many of them haven’t.

Glasgow Times: Mark Warburton and David Weir are keen to add to their Rangers squad again this summer

It will have been a shock to the system for the new arrivals to see their club plastered across the front pages as well as the back and be the hot topic in Scottish football once again.

But they can’t allow themselves to be distracted from the whirlwind that is occurring across the country. They can only affect what goes on at Murray Park and Ibrox and they must ensure they remain professional and focused on the job in hand.

Players will always say in public that they are not concerned with what is going on in the boardroom or in the courts and that they are only looking to get the three points come match day.

This is a new situation and another different challenge for Warburton and his players. It is one they can deal with, though, and ensure they remain on track for the Championship title.