CRISIS club Cambuslang Rangers have been plunged ever deeper into turmoil by a player exodus from Somervell Park.

SportTimes understands a somewhat terse meeting took place this week between players and club officials after the decision to part company with manager Paul McColl was followed by his backroom team Jimmy Kerr and Billy Campbell tendering their resignations.

And despite having a Premiership clash at home to Petershill today and a Macron Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round clash looming next week, blunt-speaking Lang officials informed the players that anyone who didn’t want to remain at Somervell Park would be released with immediate effect.

One of those present revealed to SportTimes: “To say we were stunned would be putting things mildly and we were left in disbelief to be also told Cambuslang Rangers were going to be relegated this season even if we managed to climb away from bottom spot in the table but they later retracted that statement by text message.

“There’s division in the ranks with players not sure whether they are coming or going and the word is Jordan McMillan and Jamie Hay have been asked to look after playing matters but they might only be left with five/six players on the books.

"Cobbling together a team in time for the Petershill game looks an almost impossible task but the icy weather might come to their rescue with a postponement.”

News of the shock free transfer revelation has quickly spread throughout Junior circles and virtual fire sale has been underway – along with a number of players putting out feelers on social media to discover what signing interest is out there.

Moves are already afoot with one of this season’s high-profile recruits David Galt having opted to resign for his former Senior club Queen's Park and there is an alleged “done deal” concluded that will see pacy front man Calum McRobbie move to Championship leading lights Rutherglen Glencairn, while journeyman footballer Jordan Morton is reputed to be on the verge of putting pen to paper for Pollok.

And it is surely the case that 27-goal hitman John Gemmell, ex-Celtic and Chartlon Athletic defender Mark Staunton and the highly-regarded midfield duo of Chris Duff and David Green can expect their phones to be red hot from calls made by prospective suitors over the coming days.

It is understood that Junior Cup opponents Troon are keen to pair Gemmell alongside their powerful striker Christian Nade but Portland Park gaffer Jimmy Kirkwood may face stiff competition for the striker’s signature from top-flight rivals Cumnock and Kilbirnie Ladeside among others.

Talented winger Duff, once a signing target for Pollok, has been strongly linked with a move to Championship promotion contenders Rossvale and a reunion with close friend Gary McMenamin and his former Rob Roy coach Gordon Moffat. However, his more likely port of call is back on the big stage with Rob Roy where he earned rave reviews during a four-year stint after initially stepping up from Campsie Minerva.

Rabs boss Stewart Maxwell took time out from preparing his charges for today’s trip to face Glenafton to say his club’s supporters would be blown away if prodigal son Duff came back on board.

He said: “Chris has established himself as one of the best wide players in the Junior game so it would be a wonderful boost for him to return to this club.

“I cannot say whether any transfer business could be concluded or not as he’s still a registered Cambuslang player but if that situation changes then we would certainly be interested.

“He’s a class act and I’m sure he’s only going to become an even better player over the coming seasons.”

In other games today, Premiership frontrunners Hurlford United await the visit of reigning champions Beith in what promises to be a goals feast after their Bellsdale Park seven-goal thriller, won by Hurlford earlier this season.

A crunch basement battle takes place at Valefield where third-bottom Kilbirnie Ladeside take on Renfrew, who are just two points better off, and Ayrshire is also staging a potentially historic match between arch-rivals Kilwinning Rangers and Irvine Meadow.

Earlier this week, Buffs supporters voted by an overwhelming majority to leave their ailing home ground of the last 90 years and move to Kilwinning Sports Centre in the Pennyburn area of the town from the start of next season – so today’s clash is set to be the last derby played at Abbey Park.

Elsewhere on the transfer scene, rumours gather of Championship bottom-markers Larkhall Thistle fixing up French-born defender Aurelien Norest, who previously turned out as a full-timer with Icelandic outfit Vestri.