RANGERS have complained to the Scottish Football Association over comments made by Peter Lawwell, chief executive of Celtic.

Lawwell, speaking at the club's annual general meeting, answered a question from a supporter asking why the media continued to use the term Rangers, saying: "Rory Bremner can pretend to be Tony Blair."

Rangers last night issued a statement on their website, saying: "The club are disappointed with the comments attributed to Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell earlier today. Rangers Football Club, now in its 141st year, has a proud history which has been recognised by the football authorities and was noted in a recent SPL Commission determination. The club will now take this matter up with the relevant football authorities."

At a media briefing after the meeting, Lawwell said: " I was just injecting a wee bit of humour into the proceedings."

Rangers were also the target of remarks by chairman Ian Bankier. Asked if all club assets were owned by Celtic, he said : " Yes, I can confirm that. I'm not going to show you the title deeds, though.'

He also said of one director: "Ian has been elevated to the House of Lords and has taken the title of Lord Livingston of Parkhead. I thought he would go with Lord Livingston of Ibrox - so he could lord it over Rangers."

Lawwell has signalled the club will strongly challenge the policing of the Champions League match against Ajax in Amsterdam after incidents in Dam Square led to the arrest of 28 fans, with two remaining in custody in the city.

Lawwell emphasised the club would not condone "any violent or offensive behaviour" by fans but added: "We have examined closely events in Amsterdam. We have received numerous complaints related to this - they are credible and have substance behind them." The club have appointed a Dutch lawyer to review the complaints with a view to taking them to a police complaints procedure. "Where our supporters have been mistreated or abused, we will face that head on," said Lawwell.

Bankier appealed to fans to stay calm on future away trips, saying: "I would make an appeal and say that violence is like a genie. When you let it out of the bottle, it's hard to get it in again. We must not go back into Europe feeling paranoid, belligerent, tooled up and ready for action. We must go back with our reputation of being the good guys."

The Celtic board, though, defused a row over whether the club should complain to UEFA about the awarding of a licence to Rangers by the SFA. A resolution to the agm was adjourned "indefinitely" after talks between the board and fans.

Lawwell, too, confirmed that the club were still seeking playing in another league, saying: "We've all got a responsibility to look at the playing environment in Europe and make sure that, if there is change - and I think there will be change in the coming years - that Celtic and Scottish football are part of it."

Neil Lennon, meanwhile, confirmed a new contract offer had been made to Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley, adding: "Looking at his body language over the last week or so I'd like to think he'll stay on."

A fee, believed to be around £150,000 has been agreed with Fram Reykjavik for Holmbert Fridjonsson, the 20-year-old Icelandic striker. " It is up to the player and his representative to agree personal terms. It's not far away and hopefully it will be done over the weekend," said Lennon.

"We had him in for a week-long trial and we were hugely impressed with him. Technically he is very good, aerially he is excellent and he leads the line very well. In terms of the Scottish game, he likes the physical side as well."