Rangers have been on a roller coaster ride recently and David Murray thanks those who stayed along for the ride.

Rangers chairman Sir David Murray is grateful to the fans who have not deserted the club during the recent turbulent years. He has come out and thanked them publically for their part in winning a domestic double at the end of last season. Rangers' season ended on a high when a three-year wait for the SPL trophy came to an end, before Walter Smith's men went on to claim the Homecoming Scottish Cup as well. However, those celebrations followed a difficult period for Rangers, who suffered a humiliating and financially devastating exit from the qualifying rounds of the Champions League 12 months ago, before watching the sale of Carlos Cuellar. Murray then announced in January that more key players could be offloaded in a bid to balance the books, albeit the loss of major players failed to materialise. Top goalscorer Kris Boyd looked the most likely to head for the exit door after a fee was agreed with Birmingham, however the move fell through when the striker failed to agree personal terms. Qualification for the group stages of the Champions League - and the £10million that goes with it - has now eased the financial pressure on the club and Murray recently announced Rangers were no longer looking for bids for their top players.

Murray said: "I must thank the supporters. We had turbulent times, most notably at the beginning of last season and then in January, but they stayed together and the team came through by winning the double. I met with representatives belonging to the Rangers Assembly and explained what we were trying to achieve and then I took a high risk strategy spending money to bring players in after the European loss and the sale of Carlos Cuellar. I felt that in January I had to be honest and tell the supporters that we were going into a tight era and I take no satisfaction from being proved right when we are in unprecedented times even outwith the football industry. I said then that we might have to sell a player and while it didn't happen it was indicative of the increasing downsizing financial climate. It was as up and down a season as I can remember. We finished the 2007-08 season on such a high and then came down with a crash at Kaunas which hit us all so hard and also affected us financially. However, everyone stuck together and we pulled through by winning the championship at the end. What was remarkable was how it all came together at the end. There was a drive and hunger by everyone and a tremendous finale that we all enjoyed together at Tannadice. On a personal note, I would like to thank every season ticket holder who has renewed, our corporate clients and everyone who contributes to the club."
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