New chief executive Craig Mather claims he already has an “emotional investment” in Rangers as well as a financial one.
The 42-year-old, who is a shareholder and has been the club’s director of sports development since October, was confirmed as Charles Green’s temporary successor in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
As well as being appointed interim CEO after Green resigned with immediate effect on Friday Mather has also taken on the job of chief operating officer and now wants to play a major role in taking Rangers back to the top of Scottish football.
He told RangersTV: “One of my parents was born in Scotland and raised in Scotland and I was very fortunate to come to an Old Firm game. I’ve never forgotten it, ever. The passion, the noise it’s unexplainable.
“When I was asked about this opportunity, I had to ask more than once whether it was real. I would say, for the first time in my life, this was an emotional investment. I’m normally very calculated but this was an emotional investment.
“I couldn’t believe that the club couldn’t move forward and not get back to the top of Scottish football where it belongs.”
Mather whose other business interests include a sports management firm and a packaging company added: “I’ve been here since last year and I’ve loved the infrastructure, the people at Murray Park, everything to do with the club, the history.
“I’ve always wanted to be a more integral part of the business, an integral part of football.
“I’ve worked very hard with Ally (McCoist), as an example, to get a better understanding of him, his character, the dynamic of the man, so that we can work together at the next transfer window.
“I never imagined, for a second, that things would move so fast. However, I was more than happy and I believe it was the right thing for the club to move me into this position under the circumstances.”
Mather, who has stated he wants the chief executive position on a permanent basis, now wants to participate in the debate over league reconstruction.
Scottish Premier League clubs failed to reach agreement on a new 12-12-18 structure, after St Mirren and Ross County vetoed the plans, and the Scottish Football League are now exploring alternative proposals.
Mather, who invested £1million of his own money in the club, said: “I think the initial priority for the club is to get clarity on what the future holds for reconstruction and I hope to meet with the football authorities as soon as possible.
“Rangers have an important role to play in Scottish football and I think it would be beneficial for this club and football in general for me, with other representatives of Rangers, to talk openly and constructively to people in the game.”
On Mather’s appointment, chairman Malcolm Murray said: “I knew Craig since the day he walked into Ibrox, investing £1million of his own money. There is continuity in this appointment.”