Rangers and the rebels crank up the heat on the SPFL as date set for showdown talks

The Premiership six will attempt to rally fellow top-flight clubs amid their crusade for answers from under-fire chairman Murdoch MacLennan with a date set for a showdown meeting.

Rangers, along with Aberdeen, Livingston, Motherwell, St Mirren and St Johnstone, wrote to the league's governing body expressing "serious concerns" over the recent independent governance report. They were dismayed that the SPFL executive had received a first draft of the report and made changes before the SPFL board had had a chance to meet. They also felt it was inappropriate that Maclennan had spoken publicly before the SPFL board had met to discuss the report.

In response, the Hampden beaks hit back, claiming the letter included a number of "factual inaccuracies." Now the six have invited fellow members clubs to attend a meeting before the end of this month to further address the issues set out in the stinging letter. All six released a joint statement that read: "Following the clubs’ letter to the SPFL chairman and Chief Executive, a response was received from the chairman on 9 February 2024.

"On consideration of the chairman’s letter of reply, the clubs believe it to be imperative, in the best interests of transparency and governance, that the chairman and chief executive meet with their shareholders.

To that end, the clubs have invited the chairman and chief executive to attend a meeting of all member clubs to address the issues around the Independent Governance Review. All SPFL member clubs are invited to attend and participate in this meeting, which is to take place a 11:00am on 27 February 2024.