Rangers administrators in talks with sports minister

The group had already held discussions with Strathclyde Police yesterday to ensure the club's Clydesdale Bank Premier League home clash with Kilmarnock would go ahead after the force expressed concern over payments.

Joint administrators Paul Clark and David Whitehouse were appointed after Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs forced the issue in the Court of Session in a bid to secure payment of £9million in PAYE and VAT, accrued since Craig Whyte took control of the club in May last year.

Robison said: "In a telephone conversation this morning with the administrator, I explained that we want to see an outcome in the best interests of Rangers staff, supporters and the game of football in Scotland as a whole, whilst enabling the club to meet its obligations.

"A key concern for us is the future of those employed by the club and the potential economic impact of administration.

"The Government stands ready to offer assistance to anyone affected by implications for jobs and we will stay in contact with the administrator throughout the process to ensure we are informed of any developments."

Duff and Phelps are expected to issue a statement this afternoon.

Meanwhile, former Rangers midfielder Trevor Steven believes Craig Whyte's presence at Ibrox will be untenable once the outcome of the administration process becomes clear.

Whyte's reputation suffered a huge blow yesterday when it was confirmed that Rangers had been forced into administration by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over £9million in unpaid tax accrued since his takeover in May last year.

Rangers supporters are asking serious questions of Whyte, who bought out Sir David Murray for £1 but pledged to settle Lloyds Banking Group's £18million debt and invest in the playing squad and stadium.

Earlier this month, Whyte admitted he had accessed cash from loan company Ticketus after reports claimed he had borrowed £24million on future season ticket sales.

Rangers face a tax bill of up to £75million amid a dispute over the use of employment benefit trusts before Whyte took over, and Steven believes the start of the club's financial problems can be traced back to over-spending in the Dick Advocaat era in the late 1990s.

But he feels the relationship between the fans and Whyte, who flew out of Glasgow Airport last night, cannot be mended.

The former England international told Sky Sports: "I don't think there has ever been a good relationship between Craig Whyte and the support.

"For me, there has always been smoke and mirrors since he came in. He came with a handful of promises that have never been delivered.

"That's what really aggravates the Rangers support, they have never been able to trust the man in charge and there has been no transparency.

"The fact that he has gone off to Monaco is not particularly what the supporters want to hear."

Steven, who spent seven years at Ibrox over two spells, added: "There is a real lack of support for Craig Whyte. As far as Rangers are concerned, new people have to come into the club once administration has been sorted.

"I know Paul Murray, one of the ex-directors, has said he would be prepared with others to come in once the picture is clear.

"At the moment the picture is not clear and I don't think it can be for the Scottish game in general until this situation is resolved.

"It puts the whole game under a dark cloud."

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown believes the developments have cast a shadow over Scottish football.

The Aberdeen boss told Sky Sports News: "Down south and across Europe they must be shaking their heads in disbelief to see Rangers, a great institution, in such trouble."

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio added: "I hope they find a solution because I believe Scottish football needs a strong Rangers."

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas recently criticised Rangers over their attempts to sign his striker Francisco Sandaza, comparing the current boardroom regime unfavourably to that of Sir David Murray.

Lomas said: "No-one should take any pleasure from Glasgow Rangers being in this situation but maybe it's a warning to all clubs that football is a business and you have to run business right."

Lomas' predecessor, Bristol City boss Derek McInnes, believes Rangers are too big to fold.

The former Rangers midfielder said: "The club is too big and has too many people behind it to see it die.

"I'm sure they'll do what's right for it now.

"It's a difficult situation for my pal Ally McCoist now, all the focus is on the off-field stuff."

Ajax coach Frank de Boer - who had a short spell at Ibrox as a player in 2004 - believes the plight of his former club will be felt across the continent, with other clubs also struggling financially.

He said: "It's very sad for Scottish football, and also European football, to see such a big name (in trouble).

"As an ex-Rangers player it's very sad.

"It's not the first club to get in a mess and all of Europe is a little bit like this at other clubs."

Former First Minister Henry McLeish warned lessons must be learned from Rangers' problems for the sake of the Scottish game as a whole.

McLeish was commissioned by the Scottish Football Association in May 2009 to compile a Review of Scottish Football.

He told Sky Sports News: "We have to see a way forward as part of the administration process.

"We have to think of the fans, who have been long-suffering and invested a lot.

"At the end of the day, the government agencies have got to do their job in their interests and we've got to do our job.

"That's why it I think it's critical that, apart from the short-term consequences of Rangers' dilemma being tackled, we've got to look to the long term and we've got to learn lessons now about this whole issue of financial sustainability.

"I think UEFA have shown the way, they've seen all the clubs in Europe, they've seen all the countries in Europe.

"Scotland is a football-loving nation but we've now got to be assured that everyone involved in the game is going to take finance more seriously, more responsibly, and generate this trust that the game needs."