RANGERS chairman David Somers has responded to "bogey men" claims being made by the group seeking election to the Ibrox board.

Somers posted an open letter on the official Rangers website yesterday in response to allegations from the requisitioners.

The English businessman, who was appointed chairman last month, denied suggestions he had any link to Imran Ahmad, Charles Green or Craig Whyte.

Somers also admitted that board minutes for the last two years have made for "very depressing reading".

The letter reads: "These unprofessional, wild allegations are being used just like bogey men were used when I was a child.

"But in this case, they are being used to frighten our supporters and shareholders.

"I read wild accusations that I may not be independent. Let me say categorically, that until I joined the board I had never heard of Charles Green, Imran Ahmad or Craig Whyte.

"I have now read over two years of board minutes and they make very depressing reading in terms of the scale of their lack of professionalism and worse.

"The minutes make it clear, in my mind, that the boards of recent years have been totally unfit to run this club.

"The mystery to me is why people should now be considering that members of these boards, which presided over the problems we face today, should be considered for re-election.

"I encourage shareholders to vote against the four requisitioners."

The letter continued: "Brian Stockbridge suffers most from the lies thrown around. Finance directors' actions are largely dictated by the board.

"Without Brian, the club would, in my opinion, have been de-listed months ago. The club owe him a debt of gratitude for holding things together."

Somers also denied the club was in imminent danger of going into administration.

Last night, the Rangers Supporters' Association, Assembly and Trust reponded to Somers' comments with their own statement.

It read: "The comments from the chairman are deeply troubling and we call for an urgent meeting so that he can acquaint himself with the reality of the feelings of the support. We cannot run a club by press releases written by highly paid spin doctors

"In the current dire financial predicament the club finds itself in, the job of an impartial chairman should be to consider the views of the vast swathes of shareholders who have not been impressed by the performance of the company; and the concerns of the supporters who fund the club.

"We are disappointed that Mr Somers has not yet seen to fit to meet with representatives of the support and we feel it is imperative that such a meeting takes place before the AGM."