David Somers appointed as Rangers executive chairman

Rangers have appointed David Somers as executive chairman of the club on a temporary basis.

The English businessman, who steps up from his role as non-executive chairman, will oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive following the departure of Graham Wallace earlier this week.

A statement said: "David Somers, non-executive chairman, will become executive chairman of Rangers on a temporary basis with immediate effect.

"In this role, he will liaise directly with senior staff within the club about the operation of the business, and he will oversee the recruitment of a new chief executive and finance director."

Rangers's board have recently been engaged in talks after accepting a £2m emergency loan offer from Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, which left a group of supporters unhappy with developments.

Somers revealed that he invited former Magpies managing director Derek Llambias to take over as a consultant at the Scottish outfit, alongside Barry Leach who is currently the head of brands at one of Ashley's other companies.