ian1964

Martin Williams @Martin1Williams Senior news reporter at The Herald Martin Williams ‏ @Martin1Williams Close #Rangers Biggest bidder has now pulled out of running to takeover club, Club 9 Sports CEO has said.

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/RangersFC_030412.pdf

EXACTLY one year ago Alastair Johnston was making his way to Augusta when, between flights, he picked up the voicemail that still haunts him today. Back in Scotland, after a series of secret meetings in Edinburgh, a man called Craig Whyte had emerged as the potential â??saviourâ? of Rangers. Johnstonâ??s life and his football club was about to be turned upside down. Which is possibly why yesterday, as he made the same annual pilgrimage to Augusta for one of the top sporting events on the planet, Johnston found his mind wondering back to Govan. The former Ibrox chairman, who left the place kicking and screaming last summer while warning of an unmitigated disaster to follow, fears something even worse may be on the way. With Whyte on the run and his club in administration, Johnston knows Rangers have never been more vulnerable as the hunt for another owner reaches a critical stage in the next 48 hours. By teatime today at least four bids are expected to be on the table for Whyteâ??s 85.3 per cent shareholding. And Johnston is scared stiff at the prospect of what might unfold should those shares again fall into the wrong hands. As he made his way to golfâ??s Masters showpiece, Johnston said: â??It was a year ago this week that I received the call to tell me what was going on with Whyte. â??Now Iâ??m not saying the people who are trying to buy the club this time donâ??t have substance or that they are full of dubious intentions but until we know more they must not be given a free pass. â??Weâ??ve made that mistake before and it brought the club to its knees. I hate to think of the consequences of making the same mistake again.â? It must be noted that Johnston does not speak from a neutral standpoint. Soon after that call he stood shoulder to shoulder with Paul Murray on the independent board which so stubbornly attempted to block Whyteâ??s takeover. Their efforts were in vain. But 12 months on Murray is determined to ride to the rescue with his Blue Knights and Johnston is cheering him on. He doesnâ??t know anywhere near as much about Brian Kennedy, the Sale Sharks owner, who may yet emerge with his own salvage bid. But Johnston would not be unduly concerned by that either. No, after his experience with Whyte, what Johnston really fears is the unknown. Which is why the faceless bidders from Singapore and, more particularly, Chicago have him chilled to the bone. Again, Johnston can smell a rat. He said: â??The comment I made which resonated at that time was that Rangers fans had to remain vigilant where Mr Whyte was concerned. The same applies here. â??Once duped the Rangers fans can never be duped again. The other bidders need to demonstrate transparency to the fans. â??Not just through some nefarious lawyer in some other city. They have to demonstrate the extent of their funds and what their deal is for the club. The stakeholders of Rangers are not the creditors, they are the fans. They matter. â??These other entities need to come clean and not just deal in the shadows with administrators. They have to come right out front and say, â??Hereâ??s the dealâ??. â??The fact that Rangers supporters are being kept in the dark, after everything this club has gone through, is insulting. The biggest mistake David Murray made was he dealt with someone no one knew and who was not transparent. â??My fear is the administrators replicate this mistake and end up duped just like David Murray was. Rangers fans must not be duped again by the administrators.â? Very little indeed is known about the men from the Far East, headed up by wealthy Bill Ng, and the American group which includes Group 9 Sports. What is known is that Group 9 go into the final bidding round in pole position having promised to plough more money in than any of their rivals. But that doesnâ??t wash with Johnston. He said: â??Proof of funds is the key. Thatâ??s where David Murray got duped by Mr Whyte. â??Proof of funds caught David Murray out but, letâ??s be honest, he only had one eye open. To me it sounds as if the administrators might also have one eye open because they want to get out of it. â??It shouldnâ??t have taken 10 months to reach this stage. If we had known about Whyteâ??s lack of funds then he wouldnâ??t have lasted 10 minutes. The man was a charlatan. But David Murray was forced into being duped. â??I warn the administrators that if they get it wrong there will be no second chance. They had better be damned sure about the choice. â??The highest bidder will become the preferred bidder and will then be allowed a period of due diligence. But it would be very easy to be the biggest bidder at this point in time and then walk away in a few weeks when they realise the full extent of what theyâ??ve got themselves into. â??And the damage done from a delay like that could, in turn, knock the club into liquidation. â??Thatâ??s why we canâ??t have time wasters at the table right now. â??I just wonder what would make the American bid the best option in the eyes of the administrators, if that is indeed the case. Ticketus are the biggest creditor. Are they happy to deal with guys from Chicago or Singapore? â??If not I canâ??t see them approving a CVA that could potentially become a gateway into liquidation. â??Ticketus have done a deal with Paul because they know he has professional intentions. Heâ??s the man for Rangers.â? http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2012/04/04/rangers-in-crisis-ex-chairman-alastair-johnston-warns-club-can-t-afford-to-repeat-mistakes-of-12-months-ago-86908-23812676/

Rangers in crisis: Far east consortium have no plans to liquidate the club Apr 4 2012 By David McCarthy A SINGAPORE businessman hoping to be named the preferred bidder in the battle for Rangers does NOT plan to liquidate the club. Record Sport can reveal business magnate Bill Ng is the major figure in the Far East consortium that will make its play for Rangers, along with Paul Murray’s Blue Knight’s consortium and the Chicago-based Club 9 Sports investment fund. All three groups have been asked by the club administrators Duff and Phelps to have their final offers on the table by the end of business today. One of them will then be named preferred bidder and given time to carry out their due diligence. It is understood the US bid favours liquidating the club and starting with a newco – a move that will fought by Rangers fans. The Blue Knights are also against that and propose an exiting administration with a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). But the Singapore bid has been shrouded in mystery, leading to speculation it favours the liquidation option but last night a British-based source close to the group revealed a CVA is part of their business plan. He said: “Ng is a seriously wealthy individual. He feels Rangers represent a fantastic marketing opportunity. “He would take the brand out of Europe and across the globe but, in particular, to the Far East where there is serious money to be made. “Not only Rangers would benefit. Scottish football would be taken to these new markets. “The people behind this don’t want to conduct their business in the public eye, which is why they have not been as vocal as some of the bidders. But they are serious and honourable, respected business people. “Reports stating they would liquidate Rangers are wrong. They have always favoured the CVA route.” It’s understood Ng would appoint a board of directors – Scottish businessmen who support the club – to run the club and keep a tight rein on finances.

Show The Red Card To Liquidation! Anti-Liquidation Demo On Saturday! On Saturday versus St Mirren 50,000 Bears will show that Rangers will not die by giving a red card to the threat of liquidation. At kick off and in the 18th and 72nd minutes - 1872! - raise your red card and voice your determination not to support anyone who is trying to drag the club down into liquidation. On Monday evening a meeting took place in Glasgow with host of fan groups to discuss the Bears fight-back against those who seek to do the club down. Rangers Football Club have survived the good and the bad for 140 years , the vast majority being very successful for a club now known to be the most successful club in world football. Its more than just a club, itâ??s a way of life for far too many people the world over to simply give it up to faceless money men with no love nor interest in this famous fitbaw club. It was agreed unanimously that we The Rangers support would fight tooth and nail against anyone or group who seek to liquidate the Gers. The message is simple, sink us and we will sink you ! You wonâ??t simply reform a newco and everythingâ??s bright and rosy, not a chance in hell. The Rangers fan base united wonâ??t allow it, no fans, no players, no sponsor. NOTHING This Saturday we have arranged to allow every fan in Ibrox to show the administrators and any would-be liquidators the â??red cardâ?. 50,000 red cards will form part of display in protest at the enemy intent on finishing off The Rangers as we know it. Message banners and red cards will make our feelings clear as day, you are not welcome. The display is NOT in favour of any individual bid/bidders, we simply welcome anyone with Rangers best interest at heart. Feel free to bring your own message banners, we all know the rules ! The display will be set up on Thursday and Friday night , ALL Rangers fans are welcome to help set it up. To arrange help please email sie1872@googlemail.com Itâ??s our club, it was our fathers club and it will be the club of our children! The Rangers FC forever! Itâ??s all about The Rangers!

Aye,but not according to the record article today: BRIAN KENNEDY will only launch an eleventh-hour bid to rescue Rangers if Paul Murray’s Blue Knights fail to win control of the stricken club. Record Sport understands Edinburgh-born millionaire Kennedy – eliminated from the takeover process last week – will return to the table in the next 24 hours if the club is in danger of being forced into a form of liquidation by another rival bidder. With final bids due before 5pm tonight, a consortium from Chicago – involving Club 9 Sports – is edging towards preferred bidder status after pledging to pump in more money than Murray, Kennedy or a Singapore group headed by wealthy businessman Bill Ng. Last night Group 9 Sports released a statement on their website indicating that, if successful, they’d aim to emerge from administration by setting up Rangers as a new company. Kennedy will not stand back and allow the club’s 140 years of history to be wiped out. And he insisted any such move could put Rangers out of existence completely. He said: “The prospect of a newco frightens the living hell out of me. Whatever euphemism you may want to use, we are ultimately talking about the liquidation of Rangers FC and the selling of its assets into a newco, with all the issues which result from that. “If this is the only option left standing, that’s when I will come back in. “The financial model involved in a newco situation does not work unless you are prepared to invest many millions of pounds and take a four-year view on the club’s finances. You would need to accept losing excessive amounts of money. “These guys will be looking for a decent return. They are not doing it for the love of Rangers so why enter into a deal like this? “The existence of the club is at stake and the next 48 hours could be crucial.” While Kennedy kept a watching brief from his base in New York, Club 9 Sports in Chicago were admitting for the first time they are putting together a bid to buy out owner Craig Whyte. The Americans have been in regular dialogue with Rangers director Andrew Ellis. It’s believed they have secured financial backing from both the States and the UK and shown proof of funds to the administrators. But they are reluctant to release details about the make-up of their consortium. A statement posted on the their own website last night read: “At no time has Club 9 Sports itself offered a bid to acquire the club. Our role has been as a member of a proposed consortium. “We understand it has been strongly rumoured our group planned to liquidate. “It should be made clear any party that attempts to acquire the club, eliminate the debts and put the club back on solid ground is in fact saving the club from liquidation. “By putting all of the assets into a different corporate structure, the assets are rescued from liquidation. Such a transaction would be very similar to the one that occurred at Leeds United in 2007, which allowed the club to shed its debt burdens.” Shamed Whyte was still insisting yesterday he has not struck a deal to give his shares to Murray’s group even though administrator David Whitehouse was busy saying a deal is in place. Whitehouse said: “As of today, I am told by Paul Murray’s consortium that they have an agreement with Craig Whyte.” That claim also came as a surprise to Murray who has struck a deal with Ticketus to wipe out £17million of the £27m currently owed to them by the Ibrox club. Whitehouse also confirmed at least one of Murray’s rivals has plans to liquidate and the administrators have already opened talks with the SFA and SPL about how a newco could re-enter the Scottish set-up.

Lifted from FF The secretary of the RST received the below response at 1.30am from Jon Pritchett CEO of Club 9 Sports. Thank you for your e-mail and introduction. We have purposely avoided any public comments until today because we didn't see the benefit in talking until we knew more about where we were internally. At an early stage, there really is not much value in public statements. Unfortunately, that did not keep people from talking about us. We read with some humor many of the stories, opinions and rumors about Club 9 Sports. Some of it was accurate; much of it was fictional or factually incorrect. Regardless, as you may have seen, we were never going to bid on the club ourselves. We were working with a group of people in the US and UK for a few weeks to take a hard look at the deal but that group decided not to move forward. I just wanted to thank you for reaching out and to say that any smart owner (no matter which side of the pond) will most certainly want work with your group and others to ensure the fans, supporters and followers are an integral part of the plans for Rangers. After all, they are the most important asset of the club. Warm regards, Jon JON L. PRITCHETT CEO/OPERATING PARTNER CLUB 9 SPORTS, LLC

By ERIKKA ASKELAND Published on Wednesday 4 April 2012 00:00 SIR David Murrayâ??s dwindling business empire revealed that it took a final £59 million hit on the sale of Rangers Football Club as he insisted that the group had made â??good progressâ? in its last financial year. But the metals and property tycoon warned that a return to growth for Murray International Holdings (MIH) would â??take longer than all would have predicted or wishedâ?. The group also revealed that its long-standing lender, Lloyds Banking Group, had upped its stake in the firm with a further £117.m debt for equity swap in March. The group first agreed a £150m debt swap with Lloyds in 2010, which diluted the Murray familyâ??s ownership of MIH from 88 per cent to 70 per cent. But a spokesman for the group yesterday said that Murrayâ??s stake in shares with voting rights would remain at 70 per cent, although he declined to confirm how much the bank now owns of MIH. Sir David Murray insisted that yet more debt swaps was always part of the plan. He said: â??It was envisaged at the time of the original restructuring that a further debt-to-equity conversion would be required to secure the platform for the groupâ??s overall debt reduction and divisional strategies.â? The group yesterday released only certain figures relating to its financial year ended 30 June, 2011, ahead of submitting its annual report and accounts for 2011. The firm said it made an operating profit â?? before exceptionals â?? of £11.4m, almost half of the £21.1m it reported in the same period last year. It gave another figure, profit before interest and taxes (PBIT) also before exceptionals, of £14.9m. The statement said its results were â??markedâ? by £54.3m exceptional costs related to the ongoing restructuring, which will have driven the group firmly into red. Last year MIH made £69m losses on a pre-tax basis. Added to this is a further £59m one-off exceptional â??non-cashâ? write-off on the disposal of Rangers to Craig Whyte. Sources confirmed that this was part of an overall £100m loss that MIH had taken on Rangers in the 23 years the club was part of the group. MIH comprises a range of businesses under its metal division, its commercial property division, PPG, a housing development arm Murray Estates, as well as Response, its outsourcing business which recently lost its most lucrative contract with broadcaster Sky to a rival. Murray Capital, a small family investment firm, is no longer part of the group. Employee numbers at MIH have fallen from 3,500 in 2010 to a current 2,700. Murray said that the â??defensive measuresâ? it has so far undertaken â?? including debt reduction, property sales, and â??rationalisation and efficiency measures â?? would only be realised when the economic recovery gained momentumâ?. He said: â??Our overall medium-to-long-term strategy remains geared towards asset realisation and reduction, particularly in relation to property. â??The phasing of implementation and the ultimate values realised will be determined largely by wider economic conditions. â??A return to growth is undoubtedly going to take longer than all would have predicted or wished. The financial restructuring and measures introduced over recent years will enable us, however, to weather the economic issues until improvements materialise. â??The groupâ??s long association with Rangers has now ceased and we hope that the administration process will come to a successful conclusion to the benefit of the fans, employees and other stakeholders.â? Group turnover was down 15 per cent at £394.6m, reflecting a combination of the recession and lower property sales. Turnover from continuing operations of £341m was £55.7m lower. http://www.scotsman.com/news/sir-david-murray-warns-of-slow-recovery-as-mih-takes-59m-hit-on-rangers-exit-1-2213446

Jon L. Pritchett ‏ @tobaccoroadguy Reply Retweet Favorite · Open To further clarify, the US/UK group with whom we were working is not going to bid for Rangers.

Jon L. Pritchett ‏ @tobaccoroadguy Reply Retweet Favorite · Open To further clarify, the US/UK group with whom we were working is not going to bid for Rangers.

PAUL MURRAY fears his bid to buy Rangers is DOOMED. The Blue Knights chief is worried a USA consortium will emerge as front-runners when the final bidders for Gers break cover today. In a bizarre twist late last night, Chicago-based Club 9 Sports insisted they WONâ??T be bidding. The American firm revealed they donâ??t want to buy the stricken Ibrox club and have been acting as part of a larger consortium. Pointedly, they did not say if that consortium would still be lodging a bid before todayâ??s 5pm deadline. Former Gers director Murray clearly believes that the American group will be favourites if they make their move. Administrators say they are expecting up to five bids this afternoon â?? with Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy ready to return to the fray. But Murray fears the American plan effectively involves forming a new Rangers after taking the current club into liquidation. He insists that would be a DISASTER for Gers. Speaking from Dubai last night, Murray told SunSport: â??Since the weekend the administrator has almost been preparing the field to come to the conclusion of liquidation. â??I really donâ??t know why that is. Maybe he sees Club 9 as being the preferred bidder. â??I think that liquidation is their preference so maybe thatâ??s what heâ??s doing, I donâ??t know. â??I just find it pretty worrying that since the weekend the whole tone of the thing has moved towards liquidation. â??From our point of view all we can do is put our best foot forward. The reason I have spent so much time on agreeing a deal with Ticketus is that I firmly believe a CVA is the best outcome for the club and that liquidation is a really, really difficult thing for the club. â??I for one would not like to see that and Iâ??ll be trying my best to stop that. â??Ultimately, though, itâ??s simply not my decision.â? Club 9 Sports issued a statement late last night insisting they were NOT fronting a buy-out bid and were only part of a consortium looking to take over the club from Craig Whyte. They said: â??We can confirm that representatives of Club 9 Sports have been involved with investigating, analysing and considering a potential purchase of Rangers Football Club plc on behalf of a group of interested parties from the US and UK. â??However, at no time has Club 9 Sports itself offered a bid to acquire the club. Our role has been as a member of a proposed consortium. â??We can also confirm that we have not met with, spoken to, or otherwise been associated with Craig Whyte in any way.â? Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/4237723/Fright-Knight.html#ixzz1r1V6xbzp

The secretive American consortium bidding for control of Rangers finally broke their silence — just as the administrators damned the rival Blue Knights group for getting their sums wrong. And Chicago-based Club 9 Sports, described by Duff & Phelps as promising ‘a very attractive level of investment’ in the SPL giants, appeared to confirm that they’re planning a ‘newco’ solution for Rangers — incurring massive footballing penalties in the process. Club 9, acting on behalf of a wider American group, and Paul Murray’s Blue Knights consortium are believed to be leading the race as administrators prepare to receive up to five best and final offers by Wednesday night’s deadline. Having failed to utter a single public word about their involvement, they attempted to calm fears — but suggested a path to safety guaranteed to result in Rangers being banned from Europe for three seasons and requiring a vote on re-admission to the SPL. In the statement, Club 9 said: ‘We understand that it has been strongly rumoured that our group planned to “liquidate” the club. It should be made clear that any party that attempts to acquire the club, eliminate the debts, affect a turnaround, invest monies and put the club back on solid ground is in fact “saving” the club from liquidation and preserving its past and its future. ‘In an asset purchase, all of the good and valuable assets (records, marks, names, trophies, players, staff, history) are preserved and separated from the bad and harmful liabilities (tax bills, bad contracts, creditors), which have put the club into administration and which act to force the entirety into liquidation. ‘By putting all of the assets into a different corporate structure, the assets are, in fact, rescued from liquidation. Such a transaction would be very similar to the one that occurred at Leeds United in 2007, which simultaneously rescued that club, maintained its proud history and allowed the club to shed its debt burden so that it could have the opportunity for future success.’ The Americans also said they wouldn’t be in control of the club, adding: ‘We can confirm that representatives of Club 9 Sports have been involved with investigating, analyzing and considering a potential purchase of Rangers FC, plc on behalf of a group of interested parties from the US and UK. ‘However, at no time has Club 9 Sports itself offered a bid to acquire the club. Our role has been as a member of a proposed consortium. We can also confirm that we have not met with, spoken to or otherwise been associated with Craig Whyte in any way. ‘Furthermore, Club 9 Sports will not be bidding for control of Rangers FC, plc.’ Revealing that they were in talks with the SFA, SPL and UEFA over the consequences of the club being shut down and reborn as a new sporting entity, Duff & Phelps also dropped the clearest hint yet that Club 9’s consortium may emerge as preferred bidders. A Singapore-based consortium are also confirmed potential buyers and Sales Sharks owner Brian Kennedy is expected to re-enter the contest. Duff & Phelps representative David Whitehouse took issue with Murray’s assertion that, because his bid includes bringing potential £30million creditors Ticketus on board, offering even half as much as his nearest rival would make the Blue Knights the best bet. ‘No, his economics aren’t right, his arithmetic isn’t right,’ said Whitehouse, adding: ‘But his logic, which has some merit to it, is that if Ticketus’ bid is accepted, they no longer rank as a creditor. There is logic to suggest that, if Ticketus fall away as a creditor, the value of Mr Murray’s bid is higher. ‘But we have to quantify what we believe Ticketus would be entitled to claim in any event, if they were deemed not to be a creditor. We will need to weigh that up against the commerciality of their bid. ‘In terms of the Blue Knights, they are a serious bid who have got to this stage. But they’re not the highest bid. Whether they will be the highest tomorrow, I don’t know.’ Addressing concerns over Club 9, Whitehouse admitted: ‘They have raised the issue (of liquidation). They are definitely concerned by what they describe as the toxicity of the old business. They have raised that and they’ve also raised the issue of perhaps running a CVA in parallel, to give the best of both worlds. ‘We’ll see what they come up with tomorrow but they have significant resources behind it. ‘I wouldn’t have any concerns about selling the club to them. What I would say is that their bid, if it is to go ahead, does provide a very attractive level of investment in the business moving forward – aside from dealing with the legacy. ‘Liquidation is a tremendously emotive issue, especially for the supporter groups. ‘It does have football consequences. And that can only happen with SFA, SPL and UEFA approval, as well. ‘A dialogue has been started with the SFA, SPL and UEFA — and a confidentiality agreement has been signed between them, so I can’t go into the detail of it. ‘But, if we got into a situation where a purchaser was only prepared to proceed with a Newco, there is a recognition that a discussion needs to be had about how that works.’ The Singapore-based consortium are also described as serious players with proven wealth, while Kennedy — who pulled out of the running last week – is expected to return with an improved offer, although Whitehouse warned: ‘Unless Brian Kennedy moves his position radically from where it has been, he wouldn’t be competitive. He has to move it materially.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2124756/Rangers-crisis-American-Club-9-Sports-reveal-plans.html#ixzz1r1TDuPn0

2-1 now,another Messi penalty

http://club9sports.com/uploads/Statement_from_CLUB_9_SPORTS.pdf

You were saying?,Messi 1-0 penalty

Let's keep the home games sold out

Rangers told they will not get UEFA club licence The Ibrox club were informed in a conference call with the Scottish FA and UEFA last week. Rangers have been told they have no chance of gaining approval to play European football next season, STV understands. It is understood that the Ibrox side have already been informed by both the Scottish FA and UEFA they stand no prospect of playing in Europe, with the club’s administrators having participated in a conference call with the governing bodies last week. The club claimed on Tuesday they had submitted an application for a UEFA Club Licence ahead of the deadline on March 31, despite failing to meet two requirements in the guidelines. It is understood however that clubs do not even apply to the Scottish FA for a licence. Instead, the powers that be at Hampden assess the suitability of all potential European competitors based on the information they submit in their application for a national licence, as well as any additional paperwork sent in required to meet UEFA criteria. STV understands Rangers’ administrators hoped they may receive special dispensation, should the ownership of the club change hands and come out of administration in the coming weeks. Despite their claims, the Scottish FA are adamant the club would not meet the criteria for a licence. A failure to produce audited accounts by March 31, as well as the failure to meet overdue payables to the tax authorities due from up to December 31, 2011 by the same deadline, means the Scottish FA will not give their approval for them to participate in Europe in 2012/13. Rangers went into administration on February 14, having failed to meet PAYE obligations for players and staff of around £9m. If Rangers do not gain a licence and finish second in this season’s SPL, the Champions League position will be given to the side which comes third. The team which qualifies will enter at the third qualifying round stage on the non-champions path. Rules Article 47 of UEFA’s Club Licensing Criteria states states: “Each licence applicant is required to provide a copy of its audited annual financial statements as defined in respect of the statutory closing date prior to the deadline for submission of the application to the SFA and prior to the deadline for submission of the list of licensing decisions to UEFA. Audited financial statements must include the auditor’s report. The auditor must be independent as defined in Annex 01 / 01.1 of Part 4.” The Scottish FA requires clubs to forward a copy of audited accounts to them by March 31. Article 50 refers to payables overdue towards employees and social/tax authorities and states: "Licence applicants must demonstrate that as at 31 March 2012 they have no payables overdue towards their employees or social/tax authorities as a result of contractual and legal obligations towards their employees that arose prior to 31 December 2011." http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/302538-rangers-will-not-get-uefa-club-licence-insist-scottish-fa/

Raman Bhardwaj ‏ @STVRaman Close It's understood the administrators at RFC rejected a bid from West Brom for Steven Naismith last week.

By MATTHEW LINDSAY Share 3 Apr 2012 RONALD de Boer believes the astonishing support the Rangers Legends received against AC Milan Glorie last week shows the Ibrox club can win its fight for survival. A staggering crowd of over 47,000 crammed into the Glasgow ground last Friday night to cheer on a team of Gers greats against their revered Italian rivals. De Boer teamed up with former stars Jorg Albertz, Lorenzo Amoruso, Andy Goram, Brian Laudrup, Arthur Numan and goalscorer Ally McCoist, among others, to help the home team to a 1-0 win. The former Dutch inter-national was staggered by the turnout and is confident the Light Blues fans can help the crisis-hit club through its current difficulties. He said: â??I knew the passion the support had for the club before Friday. I live in Doha now and, when you go anywhere in the Middle East, there are Scottish football fans wearing Rangers strips. Their love for the club will never leave them. â??As the saying goes, once a Ranger always a Ranger. To get 47,000 people for a veteransâ?? football match like we got last Friday night at Ibrox is just amazing. They are the best fans a club could wish to have. It was unbelievable. â??They love the club so much. Rangers is part of their life. I have played for other big clubs in Europe, for Ajax and Barcelona. But their fans are different. In many ways, they are spoiled. They demand success. Rangers fans are behind their team no matter what. â??Itâ??s terrible what is happening to Rangers just now with the club being in administration. But the fans showed on Friday night, and in their actions in recent weeks, that they will do everything to help the club get healthy again. â??The respect they showed to us was touching. It was an amazing evening.â? http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/fans-deserve-all-the-glorie-1.1156881

April 21 - Hearts v Rangers (3pm) April 29 - Celtic v Rangers (12.45pm) May 2 - Rangers v Dundee Utd (7.45pm) May 5 - Rangers v Motherwell (12.45pm) May 13 - St Johnstone v Rangers (12.30pm)

alex thomson‏@alextomoReply Retweet Favorite · Open RFC administrators confirm NO TRUTH in rumour that CW has sold out to PM

Raman Bhardwaj‏@STVRamanReply Craig Whyte has agreed to sell his shares to Blue Knights consortium, STV has learned

Chris McLaughlin‏@BBCchrismclaugReply BBC understands Craig Whyte has agreed to transfer his shares to Blue Knights consortium

Nailed him and he didn't like it one bit.The Rangers fans just proved what we all knew all along that there is bias towards the countrys' biggest club,I'm in no doubt at all about him being Liewells' puppet.The fans should use some of the money raised to get a QC to hound the bastard out of Scottish football.