Bloodletting begins at Rangers

With the Craig Whyte takeover now complete the machinations behind the scenes have now kicked in.

Sacked Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston has urged Rangers fans to "remain vigilant and continue to exert pressure" on new owner Craig Whyte. Johnston and director Paul Murray have been removed from the Ibrox board, having refused to resign their posts.

Chief executive Martin Bain and finance director Donald McIntyre have been suspended pending an internal inquiry. No reason for the suspension has been confirmed at this stage.

The decision was made at a Board meeting last night, with McIntyre being present at the meeting and Bain being told via a conference call.

On Whyte's plans for Rangers, Johnston said: "He needs to walk the walk and not just talk the talk."

Johnston, who had expressed doubts during Whyte's protracted takeover of Sir David Murray's majority shareholding, had indicated previously that he would step down at the end of the season.

That was later delayed with the agreement of Whyte, pending the disclosure of more details about the buyout to shareholders, information that is due on or before 6 June.

New appointments to the Ibrox board are likely to be made within the next two or three weeks. However, it is understood John McClelland and John Greig will not be asked to resign their positions.