Gers could fail to finish the season
RANGERS administrators have warned that the financially-stricken Scottish champions are in severe danger of being unable to complete the season.
Duff and Phelps said yesterday they had again failed to agree cost-cutting measures with players, leaving them with little choice but to accelerate attempts to sell the club.
David Whitehouse of Duff and Phelps said: “No one should be in any doubt that in the absence of sufficient cost-cutting measures or receipt of substantial unplanned income, the club will not be able to fulfil its fixtures throughout the remainder of the season.”
Administrators also admit Rangers look doomed to being banned from Europe next season as they are highly unlikely to meet the necessary financial criteria, but plan to ask for special dispensation.
However, Duff and Phelps denied suggestions from a club director that liquidation was inevitable, and insisted that their stadium was not under threat.
Joint administrator Paul Clark said: “As we have stated previously, we remain very confident that Rangers will not cease to exist and the team will continue to play at Ibrox.”
Interested parties will be invited to hold talks with administrators “over the next few days”, Whitehouse added. Failure to achieve a sale would result in “very severe cost-cutting measures at the club”.
To be eligible for European competition next term Rangers, who lie second in the Scottish Premier League following a 10-point deduction for entering administration, must satisfy conditions by 31 March.
Clark said there was “no realistic prospect of the club being able to fulfil its obligations” before governing body Uefa’s deadline.