Next Rangers chairman update as Malcolm Offord bombshell leaves club back at square one after talks 'stall'

Rangers have failed to reach an agreement with Malcolm Offord to become the club’s next chairman after talks reportedly stalled over the last 48 hours.

It was revealed last month that Greenock-born Offord was the front-runner to replace John Bennett in the senior Ibrox role, but it has now emerged that the 60-year-old is ‘out’ of the running after detailed discussions hit a major roadblock.

The Rangers Review claim that club officials are preparing to back away from any further negotiations and will now consider their back-up options to fill the vacancy, despite remaining confident they will make an appointment in the coming weeks.

The Conservative party donor - an experienced businessman with a political background - had appeared to be the Light Blues first-choice target with his close connections to potential London City investors making him an attractive proposition.

However, both parties have been unable to strike an agreement and while his name hasn’t been scored out of the running completely, it seems highly unlikely he will take on the position.

Rangers are currently preparing for their upcoming AGM on Thursday with shareholders almost certain to quiz club chiefs on a range of burning issues from financial concerns to the situation regarding manager Philippe Clement’s job.

Incoming CEO Patrick Stewart will start work on December 16 and won’t be present at the meeting and it’s understood that the Gers will land someone of the same calibre as Stewart to become their new chairman.

Interim chair John Gilligan will be present at the AGM as he continues to hold down the fort after stepping in when Bennett stood down due to health reasons. He recently admitted in a statement: “The board continues in discussions with several excellent candidates for the role of chairperson and expect to make an announcement of an appointment in the coming weeks.”