Holding cautious on bid for Rangers

SİNGAPORE - Agence France-Presse

Rangers’ Sone Aluko (R) is tackled by Celtic’s Cha Du-Ri during the Scottish Old Firm match at Ibrox Stadium. A Singapore group is willing to take over the Glasgow club.

A Singaporean consortium bidding to take over ailing Scottish football club Rangers yesterday expressed cautious optimism that it will succeed after a rival backed out.

Businessman Bill Ng, the head of the five-man consortium, confirmed it was in talks with investment firm Ticketus, which had helped finance the Glasgow club’s current owner Craig Whyte’s takeover last year.
“The apparent withdrawal from the bidding process by the Blue Knights means only that the chances of taking over increases for the two remaining bidders left in the process,” Ng told AFP.

“We cannot comment on the chances of us taking over Rangers as there are various factors being considered by the administrators,” Ng said, who is chairman of Singapore football club Hougang United.
Another bidder, US businessman Bill Miller, remained in contention and Ng said he was unaware of the details of Miller’s offer for the club.

“I only know what I can do and what my plans are for the club, if I am successful,” he said.

“I believe it is more important for me to stay focused at this point of time and prepare for our ground works, regardless of the result of the announcement by the administrators.”
Ng told last week his consortium had placed a £20-million bid.