New Rangers deal possible this week say administrators

Rangers' home ground, the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow (Getty Images)

Rangers' administrators maintain a deal to safeguard the future of the beleaguered club can be concluded by the end of this week.

Duff and Phelps are evaluating three offers for the Glasgow giants after American tycoon Bill Miller withdrew his offer despite being granted preferred bidder status ahead of a rival bid from Brian Kennedy and the Blue Knights consortium.

Two of the three bidders are new to the process, co-administrator David Whitehouse of Duff and Phelps said.

Rangers play their final match of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season at St Johnstone on Sunday, with Whitehouse optimistic of progress before then.

He told the BBC: "It's certainly possible to get a deal done. I think whether we can say that is likely, we will be in a better position to say that tomorrow lunchtime.

"The structures of deals that are being discussed vary but all are working to a timetable that they have to be completed by the end of the season."

Whitehouse also claimed owner Craig Whyte has also reached an agreement to transfer his shares to a UK-based consortium, a requirement for a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

Miller favoured a 'newco' route to create what he described as an "incubator" company while Duff and Phelps aimed to take the club out of administration through a CVA.

The American businessman described information he received while conducting due diligence as being "more optimistic than reality" and also pointed out opposition to his takeover bid by Rangers fans as reasons for his withdrawal.

Whitehouse maintains the club can recover.

"It entirely depends on what your ambition is for the club in terms of player squad, etc, and how you maintain the club going forward," Whitehouse added.

"If you don't invest heavily in the player squad, and you accept that you're going to compete competitively at simply domestic level over the next 12-24 months, it is quite easy to see a break-even model.

"But to achieve that break-even model, you have to be comfortable that the fans are going to turn up and renew season tickets and you're going to get that core revenue through the gate receipts.

"On a core trading model, there isn't a cash deficit unless you invest in players or unless you assume that there's going to be a deterioration in gate receipts."

PA