Rangers Meeting Could Move Again

A second hotel hired by Rangers to host next month's crucial shareholder vote says it is "considering its position". It comes just seven hours after the Ibrox board confirmed to the Stock Exchange that London's The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel would stage the March 4 general meeting called by Dave King. Rangers originally intended to stage the meeting - which could call time on the unpopular regime currently controlling the club - at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. But the venue later cancelled the booking after its management admitted it was worried the meeting would cause "significant disruption to guests and neighbours" following reports supporters would descend on the venue in their droves to protest against directors David Somers, James Easdale, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach. Now bosses at the replacement venue say they are also taking stock. The hotel's official Twitter account posted: "Grange Hotels are considering their position in the light of recent information." The decision to stage the general meeting 400 miles from Glasgow has sparked outrage amongst the club's supporters. Fans and shareholders have been urged not to travel in case the threat of trouble gives the board an excuse to cancel the meeting and cling on to power. Former oldco director King has called the meeting in a bid to oust the current directors from Ibrox. He needs to convince at least 51 per cent of the club's shareholders to back him and, if successful, plans to replace the current board with former Blue Knight Paul Murray, Glasgow brewery boss John Gilligan and himself. The South Africa-based businessman was bullish when he appeared at a press conference in Glasgow earlier this month, telling the board the "game was up." The board hit back on February 6 with an attack on King's suitability for a boardroom role when it announced the original venue for the meeting. And in its 7am statement to the stock exchange, it again hinted at the Castlemilk-born millionaire's recent troubles with the South African Revenue Service. King was forced to hand the South African taxman a cheque for £44million last year in a bid to stave off an investigation which could have led to a jail sentence. The board's statement said: "The directors continue to recommend that shareholders vote against the requisitioned resolutions. "In the circular to shareholders dated February 6, the board set out its position which envisages representation from all major shareholder groups (including New Oasis Asset Limited a company owned by King and the group known as the Three Bears), together with independent directors, where no one interest group will have a majority influence. "The intention is that this will lead to consensus management. Offers have already been made in this regard, and dating back to before the requisition was received. "The directors consider that the board should comprise a CEO and finance director, representatives of the three largest shareholder groups, and at least two independent non-executives. This will only be achieved with consensus amongst the various stakeholders. "The requisitioned resolutions contemplate a smaller board. There is no promise that all shareholders' interests will be represented and serious regulatory issues remain unanswered, particularly in respect of the Scottish Football Association and the position of a NOMAD in the event that the resolution to appoint Dave King is passed. "Shareholders should consider who might be running the company and whether it will continue to be traded on AIM if the requisitioned resolutions are passed. Mr King is encouraged to provide clarification to shareholders regarding these matters."