Rangers takeover: Stephen Thompson urges ‘cool heads’ before SPL vote

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has called for “cool heads” as Rangers brace themselves for further sanctions on Monday.

The administration-hit Ibrox club are still reeling from the Scottish Football Association’s decision this week to impose a fine of £160,000 and a 12-month transfer embargo.

Rangers will appeal against the punishment, which was handed out by the SFA’s independent judicial panel after finding the club guilty of five charges in relation to their finances and the appointment of Craig Whyte as chairman.

Manager Ally McCoist claimed the panel’s decision could kill the club and there has been an angry reaction towards the SFA and panel members from some Rangers fans, amid a growing feeling of rebellion in Govan.

However, there could be further trouble for Rangers early next week when the 12 Scottish Premier League clubs vote on whether to introduce tougher punishment for top-flight sides who go into administration or face liquidation.

The proposals include increasing the number of points docked from clubs who go into administration from ten to at least 15.

If Rangers are forced into liquidation, a “newco” club would be deducted ten points for two seasons if accepted straight back into the league and lose 75 per cent of their SPL income over three seasons.

SPL board member Thompson, who helped draft the proposals, told Sky Sports: “Emotions are running very, very high across all of Scotland at the moment. It is unfortunate the stage it has got to. It is a time for cool heads and a bit of reflection on everything that has happened and why have we got to the stage we have got to.

“It is not a great reflection on Scotland as a nation either so hopefully we can all just reflect on it and talk properly and sensibly about the whole thing and the way forward.”