Rangers left off SPL fixture list

Rangers were left off next season’s fixture list pending a decision on whether to readmit the 54-times champions to the Scottish Premier League (SPL) after their parent company went into liquidation.

One of the biggest names in British football, Rangers were replaced by an anonymous “Club 12” when the fixtures for 2012-13 were published yesterday.

The new owners of the Glasgow club have applied for a place in the SPL but other clubs will need to give their blessing if they are to be allowed back in.

Rangers, who get a vote themselves, will need the backing of seven other clubs to stay in the top flight rather than having to start over in a lower league. Rangers went into administration in February over unpaid taxes and the parent company was consigned to administration last week when the tax authorities refused to accept a settlement.

A consortium led by English businessman Charles Green has since completed a takeover.

Were Rangers to be relegated, their place could be taken by either Dunfermline or Dundee. Dunfermline finished bottom of the SPL last season, while Dundee were runners-up in the First Division.

The Scottish Premier League have announced a vote to decide whether to admit a Rangers ‘newco’ into the top flight will take place on Wednesday, July 4.