Rangers takeover: Timeline to a new era?

RANGERS fans have endured a turbulent few months, with more twists and turns expected.

13 February: Rangers lodge their intention to go into administration at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Owner Craig Whyte says the bill for the major tax case over the use of Employee Benefit Trusts under Sir David Murray could amount to £75 million.

14 February: Rangers appoint administrators Duff & Phelps after a court battle with HMRC. They are immediately docked ten points by the Scottish Premier League, leaving them 14 behind Celtic.

17 February: Whyte says he is confident that investigations will prove “every penny has been accounted for”.

18 February: Manager Ally McCoist, top right, welcomes an independent inquiry, launched by the SFA into activities at the club.

21 February: It is confirmed the club’s £18 million bank debt was paid off with future season ticket money from Ticketus, a fact Whyte had denied three weeks earlier.

8 March: The SFA declares Whyte unfit to hold a position in football and confirms that the club is facing a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

9 March: Duff & Phelps announces a package of wage cuts with players that has “directly prevented substantial job losses among non-playing staff both at Ibrox and Murray Park”.

4 April: Duff & Phelps confirms it has four bids.

27 April: Brian Kennedy joins forces with Paul Murray in a bid to beat American trucking tycoon Bill Miller in the takeover race after Ticketus withdraws from its agreement to be part of Murray’s Blue Knights consortium.

3 May: Miller nears takeover after his unconditional bid results in him being granted preferred bidder status.

8 May: Miller withdraws bid.

13 May: Charles Green announces purchase of club for £8.5 million.

16 May: Rangers meet SFA to appeal against one year transfer ban and a fine of £160,000.

6 June: Meeting of Rangers creditors when the purchase is expected to be finalised.