Massone is urged to give up his control of Livingston

Former Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine and associate Andy Gemmell, who have expressed an interest in getting involved at Livingston, were yesterday sifting through paperwork at Almondvale to gauge the severity of the club's debts, with the former mulling over whether to part with his cash.

Controversial Italian Massone was yesterday given 14 days to settle the 280,000 rent bill he is due to West Lothian Council or have the First Division club taken out of his hands after the local authority initiated legal proceedings.

Sheriff officers arrived at Almondvale yesterday to serve notice of the council's decision to take the matter to the law courts. The matter is due to be discussed at the Court of Session in Edinburgh later this month.

Rankine has already rejected Massone's offer of a 49 per cent shareholding but has instead advised the Livingston owner to rebuild his bridges with the community in an attempt to raise much-need finance.

A 'Save Our Club' meeting has been arranged by Massone and Rankine for Saturday, inviting supporters groups and former Cowdenbeath chairman Gordon McDougall, who has also expressed an interest in a takeover, to meet to discuss ways of resolving the club's financial plight.

However, Rankine, reckons Massone, much derided by supporters for his supervision of the club which has seen them rack up unmanageable arrears, should become a minority shareholder to appease fans who have lost all patience with him.

Speaking last night from Almondvale, Rankine said: "Angelo needs to hold a public meeting with the fans and with anyone who could put money into the club.

"Angelo has already offered me a 49 per cent stake in the club but I have said no. I have also told him he needs to take a minority shareholding and get other people involved in the club because he has something like 13 days to pay the council debt.

"Angelo has said the club is not available but he will seek a Scottish partner. I would have preferred a consortium to come in and take over but Angelo seems likes he wants to hang on, but I've told him I would think it's best if he takes a minority shareholding and we get other people involved."

Rankine, who is also aware of the 32,000 due to Scottish Power over an unpaid electricity bill, admits he will take time to consider whether to invest in Livingston. He said: "We need everyone to put their cards on the table and see if there is anyone to save it but I'm prepared to chip in. If I think I can't sort out the club's debts, I will walk away.

"At the moment it's not an attractive proposition for me but if there is a chance it can be, I'm going to have a look at it."