Blue Knights submit offer for Rangers

Rangers financial future could be more secure following a "best and final bid" ahead of tonight's deadline.

The bid from the Blue Knights (led by ex-director Paul Murray) and Ticketus is the first to be confirmed as submitted.

Murray said: "We are determined to try and save the club in its current form. "

"We are confident in the strength of our bid and the Consortium's unique ability to rapidly return financial stability to the club with the support ."

Administrators Duff and Phelps signalled last night that there could be five bids on the table for the stricken Scottish champions by close of play this evening.

A statement from Ticketus read: "The Blue Knights Consortium, led by Paul Murray and supported by fans' representatives (from the Rangers Supporters Assembly, the Rangers Supporters Association and the Rangers Supporters Trust) and Ticketus, confirms that it has this morning submitted its best and final bid for the acquisition of Rangers Football Club ahead of today's deadline, as requested by the Administrators.''

The consortium again stressed their opposition to seeing Rangers liquidated and remain adamant that exiting administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) remains the best option for the club.

The statement added: "The members of the Consortium remain united in their belief that a collaborative approach is essential in securing the club's future through a successful and swift CVA process.

"The Consortium strongly believes that a CVA, not liquidation, is the best way to protect the club's value and legacy and consequently that is the approach presented in our offer.''