Rangers FC Thread

Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers could be concluded by next Friday, Press Association Sport understands.

A long-running saga is set to come to an end, leaving the Scottish tycoon in control of the Ibrox club, along with partner Andrew Ellis.

The deal will see Whyte take over 75% of Sir David Murray's shareholding, with London-based property developer Ellis becoming a 25% partner.

A source close to negotiations told Press Association Sport: "Everyone involved is working very hard to get the deal done.

"There are still a number of areas yet to be resolved and there are no guarantees but we are getting closer and all parties want to get it over the line.

"There is a confidence that if the deal is not done by next week then it certainly will be done in the next fortnight."

Whyte appeared to be on course to complete a buyout when he reached an agreement in principle with majority shareholder Murray in early December but various reported deadlines came and went leading to speculation that the takeover bid had come to nothing.

London-based Whyte had confirmed to the Stock Exchange in November he was considering making an offer for Rangers and was in talks with Murray International Holdings.

He then held talks with Murray and Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston last year, apparently convincing them of his credentials to take the club forward.

However, the due diligence process has proved more lengthy than those involved in the deal initially envisaged.

Rangers have recently been hampered by their debt, which stood at £27.1million in June, although more up-to-date figures expected out any day should confirm a further decrease in the debt levels.

The takeover plans include vows to wipe out the debt and invest £25million in the team over a five-year period and it is understood that assistant manager Ally McCoist will be boss for the start of next season.

Whyte is expected to be at tonight's Europa League second-leg clash with PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox.
Rangers takeover nears completion - Scottish, Football - The Independent
 
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Rangers were left to rue a timid first half display as they were dumped out of the Europa League by PSV Eindhoven.

Jeremain Lens tapped the Dutch side in front on 15 minutes as the visitors dominated possession at Ibrox.

Rangers improved after the interval and Maurice Edu had shot saved, while a Steven Naismith header hit the bar.

An Edu effort was cleared off the line by a PSV hand but the officials failed to spot it and Rangers survived a number of PSV counter-attacks.

Perhaps with one eye on Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup, Rangers manager Walter Smith elected to keep Allan McGregor, Naismith and El Hadji Diouf on the bench.

Teenager Gregg Wylde was given a first European start and was first to pose a threat after a cagey opening, galloping down the left flank to deliver a teasing ball across goal.

However, lone striker Kyle Lafferty could not reach it and Steven Whittaker was penalised for a foul as he slid in at the back post.

PSV midfielder Ola Toivonen was afforded too much space in the penalty area and was able to lay the ball off for Atiba Hutchinson to drill wide from 20 yards.

Rangers were playing a second leg at Ibrox for the first time in four years and, having used the away goals rule to their advantage on several occasions in the intervening period, they were on the receiving end on 15 minutes.

Balazs Dzsudzsak broke clear down the left and crossed for Lens to slide in and knock the ball home from six yards.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Dutch side immediately took a firm grip on possession, with Rangers timidly standing off, much to the frustration of the home support.

As the first half came to close, a free kick from Whittaker found Madjid Bougherra beyond the back post but the big defender headed over from a tight angle.

Having brought on Naismith for skipper David Weir, Rangers began the second half in determined style.

The impressive Wylde lifted the hosts with a positive run and curling shot that skipped wide, before he raced down the wing and delivered another dangerous low cross which was cleared by Marcelo for a corner as Lafferty waited to pounce.

Maurice Edu was well placed to level the game on the hour when a Whittaker flick-on found him near the penalty spot but the American shot tamely at the advancing goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

And then Rangers were denied a penalty when Atiba Hutchinson cleared from his own goal-line with a hand.

Form a corner kick, Naismith crashed a header against the crossbar, Kyle Bartley's follow-up effort was cleared before Edu's prod was stopped illegally by the PSV midfielder standing by the post.

Isaksson quickly gathered and hoofed the ball up the park as Rangers players complained in vain to the multitude of match officials who had failed to spot the infringement.

With Rangers leaving gaps at the back, towering PSV striker Marcus Berg missed a gilt-edged chance, mis-kicking from three yards after Erik Pieters and Dzsudzsak had cut the home side open.

Lafferty was stretchered off midway through the half, with Diouf coming on, before Neil Alexander kept the game alive by diving to push away Toivonen's curling effort from 20 yards.

With eight minutes remaining, Alexander was well beaten by a drilled free kick from Dzsudzsak and the Rangers keeper was relieved to see the ball smack the inside of the post and rebounding to safety.

Rangers threw striker David Healy on for the final five minutes but could not create any more openings in front of goal.
 
Bartley suffers serious injury blow


Kyle Bartley will not play in Sunday’s Co-operative Cup final after damaging ligaments in his knee during the defeat to PSV.

bartley.jpg

Kyle Bartley collapsed to the turf during Rangers' 1-0 defeat to PSV. Pic: © SNS Group

The Rangers defender left the field for treatment in the dying minutes of the Europa League match after clashing with Andreas Isaksson but returned to play apparently against the advice of the physio. Bartley, on loan from Arsenal, has now been told that he has damaged the medial ligament in his knee and faces a prolonged spell in treatment.

The diagnosis means that Bartley, who has played nine matches for the club since moving north on loan in January, will miss Sunday's Hampden final and is likely to miss the majority of the league run-in. Medial ligament injuries typically rule a player out for around six weeks.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist confirmed that the injury was serious and admitted that it was a blow to the team.

"It looks as though Kyle has suffered some medial ligament damage and he is being assessed by the doctor at the moment," McCoist told Rangers' official website.

"That's very unfortunate because he has been a really good player for us and I'm really disappointed for him.

"He has been growing in stature in every game and it's a big blow for him as he has been loving his football with us.

"It won't be until after he has had a scan that we'll know exactly how long he will be out for and I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at that one."

Rangers have had more encouraging news ahead of Sunday's match against Celtic. Kyle Lafferty, who was stretchered off against PSV after taking a blow to the knee, may yet be declared fit. Steven Davis, who also picked up a knock in the game, looks likely to be fit and Vladimir Weiss may return to the squad.

Source: sport.stv.tv
 
Congratulations Rangers when it mattered we put them firmly in there place as for Walter today :ur the man:

WE ARRA PEOPLE !!!
 
congrats to all, enjoy your night, you probs slightly edged it so no complaints.
 
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH5aHw4_wpg&feature=related]YouTube - Rangers - Matchday Theme Songs[/ame]
 
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