Skip to main content

Rangers newco denied SPL entry

The vote breaks the stranglehold on the Scottish game long exercised by Rangers along wth bitter "Old Firm" rivals Celtic. It also risks hurting other SPL teams financially.

Rangers chief executive Charles Green said the club, champions a record 54 times, would apply for a place in the Scottish Football League (SFL) which oversees the lower tiers of the game.

"If our application were to be accepted, Rangers will play in whichever division the SFL sees fit and we will move forward from there," said Green, who leads a consortium that took over the club last month.

"The Club hopes that the supporters, who have been absolutely tremendous since the Club went into administration on February 14, will continue to support the Club and make Rangers a success once again," added Green.

In a stance likely to be noted by other cash-strapped British clubs, the tax authorities refused to accept a settlement and pushed the club's parent into liquidation.

The two "Old Firm" clubs have lifted the league title every year since Aberdeen won it in 1985 under Alex Ferguson.