David Somers takes on executive role at Rangers

RANGERS non-executive chairman David Somers has been appointed executive chairman of the club on a temporary basis, the Glasgow side have announced to the Stock Exchange.

Somers will oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive and finance director following the departures of Graham Wallace and Philip Nash. Picture: PA

Somers will oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive and finance director following the departures of Graham Wallace and Philip Nash.

A statement said: “David Somers, non-executive chairman, will become executive chairman of Rangers on a temporary basis with immediate effect.

“In this role, he will liaise directly with senior staff within the club about the operation of the business, and he will oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive and finance director.”

• Talks continue at Ibrox as two of Mike Ashley’s associates get to grips with the financial situation of Rangers.

Somers was appointed as Rangers’ acting chairman in November last year and was re-elected at the club’s AGM the following month.

The announcement comes a day after Somers held talks at Ibrox with two of Mike Ashley’s associates, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, as they get to grips with the financial situation at the Scottish Championship club.

Somers said he invited Llambias and Leach to work for the club as consultants, days after the board accepted Newcastle owner Ashley’s £2million loan offer.

• The Rangers plc board have been accused of cowardice by a group of the club’s supporters.Somers declined to give any details about how long Llambias would work for the club, telling reporters: “He’s a consultant. I’m sure everything will turn out for the best.“I’ve invited him and Barry Leach in as consultants just to help us out.“It’s good to get investment into the club.”Any attempt to place Llambias and Leach on the board could fall foul of Ashley’s agreement with the Scottish Football Association, which was designed to limit his influence at Ibrox while he remains in control of Newcastle.Ashley signed the agreement, which restricts him to a share of no more than 10 per cent, in 2012.