Rangers FC appoints administrator (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rangers FC appoints administrator

3:29pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Rangers Football Club has named an administrator after HM Revenue and Customs lodged a court petition to have one appointed.

Rangers officials were given until 3.30pm to appoint an administrator following legal debate at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

The court was told the administrators are Duff & Phelps.

On Monday the Glasgow club lodged papers at the court signalling its intention to enter administration and said a final decision will be taken in 10 days. The club, current Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions, is awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal which could cost it £75 million.

Speaking at the Court of Session, HMRC's legal representative, David Thomson, said the authority was keen to avoid the public perception, and the perception among Rangers' creditors, that the administrator was too close to the club.

However, Rangers' counsel, Roderick Dunlop QC, said Mr Thomson had put forward an "amorphous criticism" of Duff and Phelps, which he called "a respected firm".

Following legal debate, HMRC accepted Duff and Phelps as administrators and their appointment was confirmed shortly before 3pm on Tuesday.

Holyrood sport minister Shona Robison said: "This is obviously a concerning situation for everyone involved in Scottish football.

"Football is our national game and it is now for the administrators to take forward the process of assessing the business and securing an outcome in the best interests of the club, its staff, supporters and the game of football as a whole in Scotland."

The Ibrox side has now fallen 14 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic as a result of the decision.