Rangers' administrators maintain a deal to safeguard the future of the financially-stricken club can be concluded by the end of this week.
Administrators insists deal can be done this week
Rangers' administrators maintain a deal to safeguard the future of the financially-stricken club can be concluded by the end of this week.
Duff and Phelps are evaluating three offers for the Glasgow giants after American tycoon Bill Miller withdrew his bid despite being granted preferred bidder status ahead of a rival bid from Brian Kennedy and the Blue Knights consortium.
Two of the three bidders are new to the process, co-administrator David Whitehouse of Duff and Phelps said, and
Sky Sports understands that Singaporean businessman Bill Ng, who had previously withdrawn his interest - is the other interested party.
Rangers play their final match of the Scottish Premier League season at St Johnstone on Sunday, with Whitehouse optimistic of progress before then.
Possible
He said: "It's certainly possible to get a deal done. I think whether we can say that is likely, we will be in a better position to say that tomorrow lunchtime.
"The structures of deals that are being discussed vary but all are working to a timetable that they have to be completed by the end of the season."
Whitehouse also claimed owner Craig Whyte has also reached an agreement to transfer his shares to a UK-based consortium, a requirement for a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
Miller favoured a 'newco' route to create what he described as an "incubator" company while Duff and Phelps aimed to take the club out of administration through a CVA.
The American businessman described information he received while conducting due diligence as being "more optimistic than reality" and also pointed out opposition to his takeover bid by Rangers fans as reasons for his withdrawal.
Whitehouse maintains the club can recover.
"It entirely depends on what your ambition is for the club in terms of player squad, etc, and how you maintain the club going forward," he added.
Invest
"If you don't invest heavily in the player squad, and you accept that you're going to compete competitively at simply domestic level over the next 12-24 months, it is quite easy to see a break-even model.
"But to achieve that break-even model, you have to be comfortable that the fans are going to turn up and renew season tickets and you're going to get that core revenue through the gate receipts.
"On a core trading model, there isn't a cash deficit unless you invest in players or unless you assume that there's going to be a deterioration in gate receipts."
Sarah Bell from Duff and Phelps said a 'newco' deal would be quicker, but all
new interested parties have adequate funding in place.
She told rangers.co.uk: "Some fans may wonder why three bidders have suddenly emerged when Bill Miller was in preferred bidder status and then withdrew but they had been studying the situation.
"What we can say is that without going into exact figures we are satisfied that all three parties have the financial wherewithal to complete a deal.
"We have also taken the decision not to send out renewals for season tickets so that any party coming in to take over the club would have that funding.
"I can say that HMRC are interested to see the merits of each one of the offers and they are open to further discussion with us.
"We want to try to reassure supporters that while our duty as administrators is to secure the best deal for creditors, this is not just about the survival of the club but giving it the ability to thrive.
"As I said we hope to be in running with one party by the end of this week."
