Wallace to stay at troubled Rangers

Scotland defender Lee Wallace has committed to Rangers despite the likelihood of the club being kicked out of the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers’ hopes of playing in the SPL in the upcoming season appear over with six teams confirming they will resist any attempt by English businessman Charles Green to have the ‘newco’ Rangers – established after the original club went into liquidation – admitted into the Scottish top flight.

But Wallace, who signed a five-year contract when he joined from Hearts in August last year, has publicly stated his desire to remain at Ibrox.

“The fans showed great faith in us all during tough times and I still feel I have more to show them during the remainder of my contract,” he told the Rangers website.

Eight players, including Steven Davis, Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith, have already rejected the transfer of their contracts to Green’s company, which recently acquired the assets and business of Rangers for 5.5 million pounds.

“My personal decision in no way condemns or judges those made by my fellow professionals as I believe each person has different circumstances and reasons which will determine the road they choose to travel at this particular time,” Wallace said.

Rangers need an 8-4 majority for the ‘newco’ to be included in the top flight when all SPL clubs vote on the issue at a general meeting next month.

However, with St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibernian having already publicly announced their opposition to such a move, Rangers appear headed for the third division of the Scottish Football League.

The vacancy in the SPL could instead be filled by either relegated Dunfermline or first division runners-up Dundee FC.