Ex-Rangers Owner Murray Apologises Over Sale Leading to Club Collapse

Sir David Murray, former owner of Rangers Football Club, has publicly apologized for selling the club to Craig Whyte in 2011, a decision he now describes as a major error of judgment. Murray, who had previously invested around £80 million into Rangers and presided during an era of success, acknowledged that financial pressures, including a global recession and scrutiny over a controversial £47 million Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) tax scheme, influenced his decision to sell. Despite initial legal victories, HMRC's appeal against the club over unpaid taxes intensified financial difficulties, and Whyte's failure to pay taxes and debts led to Rangers entering administration and liquidation in 2012. Murray maintains that if he had remained in charge, Rangers would likely have avoided liquidation, as the club still had valuable assets and manageable debts at the time of sale. He also revealed that health problems affected his decision-making during the sale and expressed regret for not having access to full information about Whyte's financial management. Murray further disclosed that he almost sold Rangers in 2005 for £40 million to Sir Jack Petchey but ultimately withdrew from the deal, a decision that altered the club's trajectory.