Breaking News - £33m Ellis bid imminent

[Muff 245]

Good news, let's see what happens over the coming weeks, and what Ellis has to say. He has to outline his plans.

May also flush out some of the other interested parties, if there are any!?

[Dado 334]

Sounds promising

[TheNuts 552]

any links to this?

[Deanow 72]

Never walk alone

[kevpetrie87 0]

Great news! im excited

[KingKirk 26,501]

Steven Smith is on RR http://www.realradio-scotland.co.uk/player/listen-live/h48fjksz/

Not the player, the fans group representative.

Just heard him mate, and he doesnt sound to positive,

Of course he doesn't. The deal isn't the RST's prefered one.

Thats true mate

[wearethepeople1 3,897]

I think boyd and boogie are away regardless of any new money influx, but we should be able to keep everyone else and hopefully add a few new decent players. Would like to see a really skillful midfield playmaker flair player type! Not had one in sooooo long

[marka198 3]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

[disgruntled_bear 157]

Steven Smith is on RR http://www.realradio-scotland.co.uk/player/listen-live/h48fjksz/

Not the player, the fans group representative.

Just heard him mate, and he doesnt sound to positive,

It's cause nobody really knows what Ellis is all about, he said they have a meeting with the club on Sunday to find out more about it.

[slapneillennon 6]

Sorry to be Dr Doom, don't seem to feel or like the sound of this. Would be very cautious of this.

[markybear 136]

Finally a bit of concrete(well as concrete as we've had) news from credible sources ie sky sports

A debt free club going for 3in a row and a bit of cash for some new players, good good news!

[dado1 23]

daryl king ya fanny

[antmcf 0]

Not convinced on this one, can't see anyone wanting to takeover until the tax issues are sorted.

There is rumours of tac issues. Dont think it was ever confirmed, usually press jumping the gun and posting shit.

The club released a statement.

[warden90 0]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

Are you being serious?

You're worrying about who's making our kit next season when everyone's chuffed about him taking over.

[disgruntled_bear 157]

Rangers confirm club being investigated over tax issue

Ibrox Stadium

Rangers have confirmed that the Scottish Premier League club is under investigation by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over a tax issue.

BBC Scotland has learned that the investigation relates to payments made into offshore accounts.

The club is still up for sale with estimated debts of about £30m.

BBC Scotland has also learned that the investigation does not signal an end for the proposed takeover by businessman Andrew Ellis.

"There is an ongoing query raised by HMRC which is part of a pending court case," the club said in a statement.

"On the basis of expert tax advice provided to Rangers, the club is robustly defending the matters raised.

It is not a new problem. It has been there for a long time, so this just hasn't come up

Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston

"It would, therefore, be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Lyon's defeat on Tuesday by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League means that Rangers are destined to go straight into next season's lucrative group stages of the competition without the need to play any qualifiers.

And Rangers were also moved to reject reports that Champions League and club season ticket income had already been "ring-fenced" by the club's bank to reduce the debt.

"This is totally incorrect and discussions with the bank in relation to the business plan will take place in the coming weeks," said the club.

"The club would also like to reiterate once again that at no time has director Dave King made an offer to purchase Rangers Football Club."

Rangers have been unable to purchase a player for 20 months as Lloyds Banking Group tries to control the £30m debt.

Three transfer windows have opened and closed without the Ibrox club bringing out their cheque book.

The last arrival was USA midfielder Maurice Edu, who they signed from Toronto in August 2008.

Despite their financial problems, manager Walter Smith has guided Rangers to two successive league titles, the latest being secured on Sunday.

US-based Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston is due in Scotland next week to hold talks with Ellis - and will also hope to come up with the assurances required to persuade Smith to remain in post.

Johnston told BBC Scotland that money would be available for the manager to strengthen his squad and stressed that the HMRC investigation was being handled by Rangers owner Sir David Murray's parent company.

"It is not a new problem," said the chairman. "It has been there for a long time, so this just hasn't come up.

"This is more in the holding company of Murray's. It has been one that the Murray Group has been taking care of and been involved in on a day-to-day basis in the past and I would continue to defer to them on that one."

statement.

[InnerwickBlue 16]

Almost 400 'guests' having a look at this thread. Hope you're enjoying what you're reading.

[Dennis 1,011]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

Are you being serious?

You're worrying about who's making our kit next season when everyone's chuffed about him taking over.

[Jimfanciesthedude 25,617]

dont be surprised if ellis is linked to murray someway, and this is a ploy for SDM to keep the club, while effectively giving it up

if murray is selling for pennies, and the 30odd is going to clearing the debt (if thats whats to happen), dont be surprised if SDm comes back in a few years time

[wearethepeople1 3,897]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

adidas would be nice, but I'm sure it's not high on the priority list at the moment!

[markybear 136]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

hardly the biggest issue in regards to the takeover mate but I'd prefer Nike if u had to choose

[KingKirk 26,501]

Sorry to be Dr Doom, don't seem to feel or like the sound of this. Would be very cautious of this.

Any reason why Dr Doom?

are u daryl king

[warden90 0]

Property developer Andrew Ellis is optimistic he will move closer to completing a takeover at Rangers this month, according to Sky Sports News.

Rangers have secured the SPL title this season despite having to cope with a perilous financial situation.

Manager Walter Smith has been unable to buy a new player for nearly two years and has been working without a contract since January.

But Sir David Murray has been in talks with Ellis regarding a buy-out and the businessman has now launched a £33million takeover bid.

Ellis hopes to convince Smith to remain at Ibrox, while it is also understood that he aims to reinvest in the squad over the summer after wiping out the club's debt.

"The bid includes all the club's debt and I'm optimistic there will be serious developments in the next three to four weeks," Ellis told Sky Sports News.

"Should I gain control if the club I intend to offer Walter a new contract as his experience and knowledge is invaluable both to me and the club.

"It is only fitting that former chairman Sir David Murray should be offered the role of life president as what he has done for the club can never be forgotten."

[Muff 245]

Ellis in for £33 million takeover!!

lets hope he gets a decent kit maker ie nike or adidas

Are you being serious?

You're worrying about who's making our kit next season when everyone's chuffed about him taking over.

Why, Umbro is one of the most recognised footballing manufactures!

[disgruntled_bear 157]

According to RR, The debt will be completely cleared and money will be made available in the summer for new players.

Euan seems to think this is a done deal.

[sillybilly 151]

great news. i've got a feeling this is just the beginning of a crazy few weeks. i wonder if there will be a few counter bids now that ellis has finally made his move ?