Rangers' administrators have asked three bidders to submit "best and final
offers" for the club by Wednesday, April 4.
Five parties notified Duff and Phelps of their interest in a takeover of the
Scottish champions, although Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy has since dropped
out of the running after being told his bid was too low.
The administrators indicated they have yet to identify a preferred bidder from
the short-list at this stage in the process.
Press Association Sport understands the three parties who remain in contention
are former Ibrox director Paul Murray's Blue Knights consortium, United
States-based Club 9 Sports and a Singapore-based consortium.
David Whitehouse, joint administrator, said: "It would be inappropriate for us
to comment on the merits of individual bids but, in general, several parties
have pursued their declared interest in the club and five bids submitted have
been subject to greater scrutiny.
"We fully understand the desire of supporters to see the bidding process
concluded as soon as possible and have asked three bidders to submit best and
final offers by Wednesday April 4.
"It is likely that a successful bidder will require a period of exclusivity to
commit to final due diligence thereafter.
"Bids have inevitably been the subject of widespread comment and speculation
but at this stage it would be unwise to perceive any particular party to be a
preferred bidder, and the bidding process remains open for all parties until
April 4."
Rangers' administrators and Ticketus both welcomed a ruling on the status of
their contract last week following a court case that revealed the Ibrox club
received two payments totalling more than £30million during Craig Whyte's
stewardship.
A judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh would not give directions on the
administrators' request to tear up the contract because Duff and Phelps held
back information on bids so as not to undermine the process.
Administrators welcomed indications they would have the right to refuse to
honour the deal if it was in the best interest of creditors.
The judge's written ruling clarified the exact nature of the deals between
Ticketus and Rangers chairman Whyte.
In his statement on Friday, Whitehouse added: "The direction from Lord Hodge in
the Court of Session in Edinburgh last Friday clarified important issues
relating to the status of the arrangement between Ticketus and Rangers Football
Club and our powers as administrators in relation to contractual rights.
"This has allowed the bidding process for the club to move away from the
previous uncertainty the issue caused.
"The direction has also enabled us to have intensive and constructive
discussions throughout this week to confirm the levels of interest and the
structure of any offers."
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