LORD Willie Haughey, the high-profile businessman who helped save Celtic from going bust in the early 1990s, has flatly denied claims he was involved in an approach to invest in Rangers.

The former Celtic director, who came to the club’s aid with Fergus McCann when it was facing bankruptcy in 1994, has rejected claims from ex-Rangers owner Craig Whyte that he approached him about a deal to buy the Ibrox club after it had fallen into insolvency in 2012.

Lord Haughey said yesterday he “had to check to see whether it was Valentine’s Day or April Fool’s Day” when he heard the claim.

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He said: “I’ve got no idea [what the claim is based on]. I’ve never had a conversation with Craig Whyte in any way about buying one share in Rangers, or with anyone else about buying one share in Rangers. I think it is just Craig Whyte being Craig Whyte.”

Lord Haughey said his lawyers have been in touch with the book’s publisher, Birlinn, to make clear his position.

He added: “The bottom line is I have never had a conversation with Craig Whyte about me or anybody else purchasing [Rangers].”