**UPDATE: It's been reported that James and Sandy Easdale have backed away from their bid to purchase Derby County.**
Last week the names of Sandy and James Easdale emerged as being in advanced talks to purchased Derby County Football Club on behalf of a Malaysian consortium. The Easdale brothers used to be shareholders at Glasgow Rangers.
We spoke with The Rangers Rabble Podcast and This is Ibrox to find out more about the Easdale brothers and their time at Ibrox.
What do you make of the news that Jamie and Sandy Easdale are in advanced talk to purchase Derby County.
Rangers Rabble: I find the news that the Easdales are interested in Derby quite concerning, especially as it was only weeks ago Mike Ashley was linked. That’s similar to what happened at Rangers and if I was a Derby fan it’s something I’d be hoping to avoid at all costs.
This is Ibrox: Honestly, I worry for Derby and their fans. The Easdale brothers are like leaches and many believe were just placemen for Mike Ashley. Either way they did very badly at Rangers and if they are involved you should probably hope they are silent partners behind foreign money. That said they seem to be backed by it instead so watch out.
Where did the Easdale brothers make their money?
Rangers Rabble: Who knows where they really made their money but they were well-known for their McGill’s bus company, infamously giving an interview to BBC Scotland reporter Chris McLaughlin on one of those buses.
This is Ibrox: Started in scrapyards but moved in to property and transport. They have a fairly wide portfolio behind them. Being truthful they are wealthy so are obviously shrewd businessmen but that doesn’t always align with the interests of your club.
Are they still active in business?
Rangers Rabble: The last I knew about their active business interest was the aforementioned McGill’s bus company. Since they left Ibrox I’ve tried to wipe them from my long-term memory.
This is Ibrox: Yes they are, believed to be worth 3/4 Billion Pounds and as above have a range of businesses to protect themselves against the collapse of any one industry they are involved in. They also have a sponsorship arrangement with Scottish lower league club, Morton.
It’s being reported that in advanced talks on behalf of a Malaysian consortium. If the deals go through do you think they would be directors of the club?
Rangers Rabble: Yes, I’d imagine they would be directors of the club because usually they are just placemen for those who are really running the show – or so it seemed when they darkened the Ibrox board room.
This is Ibrox: I’ve no inside info but their names seem to be front and centre of this bid. It sounds to me they will be front and centre with money behind them from overseas. Again this is thought by many to be a similar situation to when they were at Ibrox fronting for Mike Ashley.
Did they ever lay out their ambition for Rangers (new infrastructure, etc.). If so, what were they?
Rangers Rabble: Honestly, I can’t ever remember them laying out any plans. It was always Charles Green and his fantasy-land stuff. But they didn’t really speak until the heat would personally be on them or until they were having a pop at Paul Murray or/and Dave King, who were wanting them removed.
This is Ibrox: They held an AGM in a marquee on the pitch at Ibrox… They tried to say the right things to get fans on side but really it’s a case of knowing them by their deeds. They kowtowed to Mike Ashley most of the time and the club suffered neglect in the training centre, stadium and playing squad during their tenure.
I read a few articles about Sandy Easdale’s convictions for VAT fraud in 1997. With this conviction why was he allowed to own a football club. Do you think he’d pass a fit and proper test today?
Rangers Rabble: In terms of the VAT conviction, only the relevant football authorities can answer that, and with regards to a fit and proper test, given the characters involved in English football I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a pass.
This is Ibrox: Hard to say, obviously he did in Scotland with both brothers being on the Ibrox board but I believe the rules are tighter down south so perhaps not.
What is their legacy at Rangers?
Rangers Rabble: Their legacy is one of complete failure - on and off the pitch. The highlight of their time would have been doing the ice bucket challenge.
This is Ibrox: Toxicity. Referred to as spivs, chancers, wasters and much more. I suppose their real legacy was in cementing Dave King as a legend for helping us get rid of them! That tells you what you need to know.
How are they thoughts of on the terraces at Ibrox?
Rangers Rabble: I would be surprised if any fans have anything other than contempt for the Easdales. They were involved in a horrible time for the club - and to be honest, we are far better off without the likes of them and Charles Green.
This is Ibrox: Trying to keep my answers suitable for all ages this is a hard one to answer! Being serious it’s completely negative. I’ve never heard a Rangers fan with anything positive to say about these guys. Personally after seeing some of the detail on things like the kit deal I believe they were working hand in hand with Ashley to asset strip the club and I am forever grateful for Dave King removing them from the club.
Is there anything else you could add?
Rangers Rabble: That particular group of people: Easdales, Green, Somers, Llambias, Ashley and Stockbridge, and the others, were a collective stain on the great history of our club.
This is Ibrox: I’ve mentioned Mike Ashley a few times in these responses. I noticed he was also linked with your club a month or so ago. I would be hugely wary given their previous history with him. I know the money is supposedly coming from Asia and perhaps that is the case but I would not trust this pair as far as I could throw them. If they are working in concert with Ashley then your club will be in for a horrible time. I know as fans there is only so much you can do but I would support just about anyone other than this pair and if they do get in you will be facing tough times ahead. As a fan base we saw boycotts of games and merchandise whilst this pair were in charge to try and starve them out and you may find yourselves in a similar position. If Ashley truly is involved then run! That said good luck and hopefully you find a deal elsewhere from these two.