Ticketus asked for its involvement in the takeover of Rangers to be kept secret due to fears it could negatively affect sales.
Ross Bryan, a fund manager for the ticketing operator, made the claim as he gave evidence for a second day in the trial of Craig Whyte. The former owner of the Scottish Premiership football club denies a charge of acquiring Rangers by fraud in May 2011 and a second charge under the Companies Act.
Prosecutors state Whyte took out a loan from Ticketus against three years’ season tickets to help fund the takeover.
Whyte’s QC Donald Findlay suggested Ticketus “wanted their involvement kept secret”. Bryan agreed and said the firm was not “publicity hungry”. He added there was a potential “embarrassment” for former owner Sir David Murray if it became known.
It was also claimed fans may “boycott” buying season tickets if they “objected” to the use of their investment in the club being used to fund someone’s takeover of the Glasgow club.
Bryan said that Ticketus was interested in Whyte’s takeover being concluded “only in the context of selling the tickets – that’s the trade of Ticketus”.
The trial also heard that Ticketus had previously been involved with other major clubs, including English Premier League side Manchester United.
The trial continues.
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