Rangers off SPL fixture list

Rangers are to be left off the SPL fixture list as they wait to find out if they can play in the Scottish top flight next season.

The Glasgow outfit fell into administration in February and last week entered liquidation before Yorkshire-based businessman Charles Green bought all remaining assets and outlined plans to form a new club.

For the ‘new’ Rangers to remain in the SPL, they will need the approval of eight of the 12 clubs that make up the division.

However, that decision is not set to be made until after Monday’s fixture release, therefore the Ibrox side have been replaced by ‘Club 12’.

In the event that Rangers are refused permission to compete in next season’s SPL, they may be forced to drop into the bottom tier of the semi-professional Scottish Football League.

That would mean it could take at least three years before they compete at the top level of the Scottish game, and four before any possible European campaign.

If the Glasgow giants are demoted it is unknown whether Dunfermline Athletic, who finished bottom of the SPL, will retain their place or whether promotion will be awarded to Dundee, who finished second to Scottish First Division winners Ross County.

Whether Rangers will receive the necessary eight votes to remain in the SPL is uncertain, with the financial might they bring to the Scottish game potentially being overlooked in favour of an increased level of competition their absence may bring to a division which has been dominated by the Old Firm.