Player talks continue at Rangers

Rangers' administrators hope to finalise a wage-cut deal today after a "very frustrating" failure to agree the fine details amid talks with player agents on Tuesday night.

Duff and Phelps felt they were close to an agreement yesterday but they delivered a statement close to 10.30pm revealing that some players had not yet accepted certain contractual conditions despite agreeing to significant salary reductions.

It is understood about half a dozen players, some of them among the high-earners, have yet to commit over specific issues such as potential summer transfers and the length of time wage cuts are in place.

Two players are expected to leave - January signing Mervan Celik and Scotland Under-21 midfielder Gregg Wylde - having both offered to depart to avert redundancies.

But the wage agreement, which would see top-earning players accept 75% cuts and lower-paid players losing 25-50% of their salaries, could limit the departures to two.

Joint administrator David Whitehouse said last night: "Today unfortunately has been a very frustrating day.

"Earlier in the day we believed that we had agreed in principle a basis of cost cutting measures with the players accepting substantial pay cuts. We are very grateful for their efforts in reaching that point.

"Sadly this evening we have been unable to reach agreement on the personal conditions sought by the advisors to the players in respect of those wage cuts. There is still some hope that these issues can be solved first thing in the morning but it's extremely disappointing we haven't been able to get there tonight."

Captain Steven Davis and Scotland internationals Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith were among the last players to leave Murray Park last night. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who is among the highest earners, earlier denied that he had refused to accept wage cuts.

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, his solicitor Margaret Gribbon of Bridge Litigation said: "Contrary to some media reports Allan has not refused to accept a salary reduction. These allegations are false and Allan has instructed me to make clear if these allegations are reported as fact he will have no option but to resort to legal action."