CHARLES GREEN last night said Rangers were on course to deliver new year cheer to their fans – and praised them for keeping the club from extinction.

Gers go into today's lunchtime clash with Anna having opened up a 15-point lead at the top.

And they are odds-on to complete the first leg of their journey back to the top of the Scottish game.

Green said: "Every member of the Rangers family can look ahead to 2013 and beyond with confidence and firm belief that this great football club is well on the road to recovery.

"No-one could have asked more of the manager, his staff and the players.

"Off the pitch, we continue to strive to maximise revenue streams for the club now and in the future to build on the success of the stock market flotation in December.

"We can, however, achieve nothing without the club's supporters.

"The debt of gratitude the club owes the supporters can never be fully repaid.

"Because the stark truth is that had it not been for the actions of fans in the last 12 months, Rangers would be in ruins.

"Instead, every Rangers fan stepped up and the result is that we can all focus on rebuilding the club and taking it back to where it belongs."

In a dig at the SPL, Green also praised the Ibrox fans for boosting the coffers of other Division three clubs.

He said: "We are pleased to contribute to the prosperity of other clubs.

"It is a privilege to be involved with Rangers and all of us can begin 2013 in the knowledge that the future holds great promise.

"We will take pride in showing that Rangers is a force for good in football."