'Absolutely hysterical'; Les Gray destroys Rangers narrative, defends vote

By John McGinley

April 19, 2020

Hamilton chairman Les Gray, who also sits on the SPFL board, has refuted suggestions from Rangers that clubs were bullied into voting for the league’s proposals, speaking to BBC Scotland.

Celtic are on the verge of being named champions after 81% of clubs voted for SPFL plans to call time on the 2019/20 Scottish Premiership on an average points basis should action not be able to resume this summer.

Rangers were one of the clubs left furious with the scenario, calling for the suspension of league chief executive Neil Doncaster and claiming in a statement that clubs had been bullied into voting the pass the resolution.

However, Gray has absolutely refuted that, labelling the claims as hysterical.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, the Accies man said: “The board is there purely to enact the will of the clubs. And 81% of clubs voted in favour of this resolution. It’s a clear endorsement of the clubs’ position.

“The silent majority have carried the day and other people are noisier. It’s the clubs that voted ‘no’ that are the noisiest. And I’m looking at what their motives might be.”

“If you’ve met Neil Doncaster, the idea that he bullied anyone is absolutely hysterical. I feel sorry for him and Rod [McKenzie] and [SPFL chair] Murdoch [MacLennan] for the way they’ve been treated.

“They’ve remained silent in the face of huge provocation. And I think we really need to take a look at these accusations being thrown around.”

Celtic have largely stayed silent on the recent dramas / (Photo by Mark Runnacles – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Celtic have so far stayed silent since all this drama unfolded, part of the quiet majority that were happy to bring a bit of clarity to Scottish football.

From my perspective, some clubs are beginning to embarrass themselves with the outbursts, accusations and statements.

The hunger for recriminations as we enter an exceptionally difficult time for the game comes across as desperate.

It’s hard to figure out quite what Rangers specifically are getting out of all this aside from forging a siege mentality.

Clubs like Hearts and Partick Thistle are understandably upset at the prospect of being relegated but the Ibrox had little on the line by the time the season was supsended.

No doubt they’ll deliver a statement or two again over the coming days. With comments like Gray’s now circulating though, they are losing more and more credibility.