Scottish Premiership side Rangers "decided against trying to win a seat at Scottish football's top table," according to Darren Cooney of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. A place on the Scottish Professional Football League board "was made available by the standing down of Stephen Thompson and Ann Budge is now a shoo-in to replace the Dundee United chairman." But it was believed Rangers would attempt to have its "voice heard among our game’s decision-makers." Earlier this year, Rangers Managing Dir Stewart Robertson vowed the club would "put themselves forward." However, on Tuesday Ibrox chiefs "insisted their views are already being listened to." A Rangers statement read, "It should be pointed out that after a series of meetings with other Premiership representatives over the last month, Rangers is confident its views are being listened to and treated with the utmost respect" (DAILY RECORD, 7/7).
SECOND TIME AROUND: The BBC reported Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian Owner Budge will "make a second attempt to be elected to the SPFL board, after narrowly missing out last year." Celtic CEO Peter Lawell and Partick Thistle Managing Dir Ian Maxwell "also intend to stand." Thompson "beat Budge to the Premiership position last year after three rounds of votes, but quit the board in protest" at his club's three-point deduction and fine for fielding ineligible players in a match against Inverness in May (BBC, 7/7).
