Rangers administration: Non-Old Firms clubs to discuss SPL voting

Chairmen from all clubs outwith Rangers and Celtic are keen to hear each other’s views on the situation and it’s understood they will debate how best to deal with the Ibrox side’s problems.

At the top of the agenda is likely to be a discussion on changing the voting structure in the SPL from its current format.

As things stand, with votes needing an 11-1 or 10-2 majority, the Old Firm effectively have a veto over all decisions and are able to block proposals put forward by the provincial clubs.

However, it’s understood there is a feeling among the 10 that Rangers’ current situation – and the real prospect of them having to reapply for SPL membership should they go into liquidation – presents an ideal opportunity to redress the balance and bring about a fairer system.

Rangers have already been docked 10 points by the SPL for going into administration and further punishments could be handed down once their inquiry into Craig Whyte’s ownership is concluded.

It is believed that some chairmen in the SPL could be willing to allow a revived Rangers back into the top-flight instantly – should they suffer liquidation – in return for concessions which would benefit the wider league.

This would eventually bring issues such as league reconstruction and a more even distribution of TV money back on the agenda.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston last night admitted that the Fife club are already planning for life in the event they never receive the second instalment of money owed to them by Rangers. The Pars struck a deal with Rangers’ administrators earlier this week to be paid the £84,000 of ticket money that they are due from last month’s SPL meeting between the teams in two chunks.

The first, which was transferred on Monday, allowed Dunfermline to complete the February salaries to staff and players that had been under-paid by 40 per cent because of cash-flow problems.

The second, understood to be around £50,000, is due to be completed by 13 April.

He said: “The situation at Rangers changes every day and we just have to make a calculated plan on the information we are given daily.

“Whether we would see any of the second payment if Rangers go into liquidation, I don’t know.

“But there is no point in re-writing the business plan on a daily – or even hourly – basis.

“We had put together a plan for not getting any of the money we were due, a worst-case scenario, so what we got at the start of the week was a bonus, from that point of view.

“But, even though we have made plans for not getting the rest of the money, if we don’t get it it is a substantial sum of money.”