The three main Gers supporters' groups, the Assembly, the Association and the Trust, have thrown their support firmly behind the Blue Knights consortium being led by former director Paul Murray.
SportTimes understands that the Blue Knights – set to comprise TEN major backers – will be ready to table a concrete bid for Rangers by Friday, with a share issue planned for a later date.
Gers supporters met over the weekend to discuss how they can help stop the world-famous, 140-year-old institution, from going out of business.
Rangers Supporters' Association general secretary John Macmillan has been greatly buoyed by recent developments – and by the 2,000-strong gathering of fans at Ibrox on Saturday.
The lifelong fan is now optimistic the 54-times Scottish champions can survive the ordeal they are currently enduring. Macmillan said: "The tide is now turning."
He has been impressed with Murray – who was ousted as a director after Craig Whyte seized control in May – since he emerged as a major player in the bid for control of Rangers.
And he is particularly pleased the Borders-based accountant is keen to actively involve the supporters in a new management structure if he is successful.
"Paul seems to be a very genuine person," he said. "He is a Rangers supporter who has been a member of the board and knows a fair bit about the running of the club.
"Without a doubt, no matter which party is successful in gaining control of the club, has to involve the fans. The Rangers support will not stand for one benefactor running their club in the future after all that has happened."
Macmillan added: "The fans have been kept in the dark at this club for too long. Now, I realise there are occasions when fans can't be told everything.
"But they should be involved in the general run of things, consulted on ticket prices and things that are important to them."
Macmillan added: "Fans and a football club is like any working relationship. If you feel you can approach your boss about things, sit down and have a chat about stuff that is concerning you, you will be happier in your work. If you are kept in the dark, you will be unhappy.
"I think it is absolutely essential that whoever comes in gets fans involved in some way or another. Fans' representatives must be involved.
"Before the Rangers Supporters' Assembly was formed, the Association had regular meetings with Campbell Ogilvie. We had a very good relationship with him.
"Things have changed over the years. We must get back to where we were."
Rangers are massively in debt as a result of the catastrophic stewardship of controversial owner Whyte in the last 10 months and the previous boardroom regime prior to that.
And the Glasgow giants could be plunged a further £50million into the red if they lose the HMRC tax tribunal over their use of EBTs to pay players.
But Ally McCoist's stars agreed last Friday to take pay cuts of up to 75 per cent in an attempt to keep the club afloat until the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
Macmillan admits the road to recovery will be long and hard, but, after the events of the last few days, he is positive they CAN emerge from administration.
A series of money-making initiatives – set to involve club legend Sandy Jardine, manager McCoist and his predecessor Walter Smith – was devised by the supporters at the brainstorming session and are set to be announced this week.
Rangers could play Bundesliga club Hamburg in a friendly match, possibly at Ibrox on Tuesday, April 17, in one scheme to bolster funds. The German club, who have had a long-term association with their Scottish counterparts, have offered to play in the exhibition match for free.
"I was very happy with the huge turnout at the meeting," said Macmillan. "It was a huge display of unity.
"There will be a number of initiatives announced this week which we hope will help the club get out of the dire situation it finds itself in at the moment.
"The supporters' groups have clubbed together and hopefully the tide is now turning. This has been a very dramatic period for Rangers, one I never thought I would see.
"It is easy to point the finger and say this shouldn't have happened and that shouldn't have happened. I am sure some people will blame Sir David Murray and some will blame Craig Whyte. Now is not the time for that.
"What is important is that we join together as one now and try to help the club out of the situation. I am a bit more optimistic now than I have been. There is a long road ahead, but we are getting down to the mince and tatties in the battle for survival."
