Stretford assisting Rangers

Controversial football agent Paul Stretford is “assisting” Rangers newco, the Ibrox club have confirmed.

Rangers chief executive Charles Green is using the services of the agent, who was banned in 2008 for 18 months and fined £300,000 for a number of misconduct charges relating to how he acquired the right to represent Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney six years earlier.

A spokesman for Rangers said: “Paul Stretford is assisting the club.”

Stretford’s link with the Ibrox club is revealed as Ally McCoist prepares to bolster his squad for life in the Third Division next season.

On acceptance of Scottish FA membership, still to be ratified, the Light Blues’ boss will have until September 1 to sign players before a 12-month transfer embargo begins.

Rangers fans may wonder about Stretford’s remit given the club’s new league status and the apparent lack of cash available at Ibrox to bring players in, but confirmation of the Englishman’s involvement comes while Green continues to challenge the decisions of the players who walked away from the club this summer.