Rangers Close on Agreement With Players

Press Association Sport understands that workers were told the news at a meeting at the stadium after a day of continued negotiations between players and administrators at the Murray Park training centre.

Guarantees over job security for the general workforce was one of the key stumbling blocks to a wage-reduction deal with players.

But it is understood that Scotland pair Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker both signed an agreement to see their wages cut by 75% last night after being satisfied by assurances that there would be no forced redundancies.

Expectations were growing that there would be a statement from administrators in the coming hours confirming that threat of redundancy had been lifted.

Players had agreed in principle to cuts of between 25% and 75% early in the week but a deal stalled on Tuesday night as about half a dozen players sought guarantees and stipulations in their contracts.

Administrators Duff and Phelps last night signalled they would be amenable to exit clauses in player contracts to allow them to leave depending on the future ownership of the club.

Players trained this morning and began leaving Murray Park after lunchtime with the likes of Sasa Papac, David Healy, Andrew Little, Scott Gallacher, Lee McCulloch, Jamie Ness, Whittaker, Kyle Bartley, Ross Perry and Kirk Broadfoot all exiting through the front gate by about 4.30pm.

Former Hearts midfielder Gary Mackay, who acts as Lee Wallace's agent, left shortly afterwards, while joint administrator David Whitehouse departed just before 5pm.

Naismith earlier explained his position as he stopped to speak to waiting reporters as he drove into training.

Naismith said: "We just want to get the best for the club, everybody at the club's doing all they can to get a solution.

"There's a lot of Rangers fans in the squad and we just want to get it fixed.

"Everybody's trying to come to a good conclusion and get the best for the club.

"Everybody wants to succeed, there's a lot of innocent people here that just want to go on with their lives and get a job at the end of the day."

Some news of cutbacks emerged tonight with staff understood to have been told that the club's London office will close.

Rangers announced the launch of the office in January with the appointment of global partnerships director Misha Ser.

Meanwhile, reports claim Ticketus, whose money allowed Craig Whyte to complete his takeover, are backing former director Paul Murray's takeover consortium.

The investment firm paid #24.4million for rights to future season tickets and it is understood the company claim they have sound legal advice that they are entitled to those tickets under any circumstances.

Earlier this week, Rangers director Dave King claimed Whyte had told him that Ticketus had no recourse to Rangers.

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PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart revealed a deal was close to completion.

Speaking just after 6.30pm, Wishart said: "Things are coming to a conclusion today.

"It`s been a long week as you can imagine for our members and everyone connected with the club.

"Other than a few minor issues being tidied up, the players have agreed to alter the terms of their contracts and vary the terms of their contracts for the next three months in order to help the club through this difficult time."

When asked about the wage cuts, he added: "I`m not going to go into any details of exactly how much and how many but what I would say is I think it`s a huge gesture to the club and to the fans."

Administrators have announced a media conference will be held at Murray Park at 7pm.