Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston is believed to have requested that the government's insolvency service launch a probe into Craig Whyte's takeover of the Scottish club.

The Gers owner has come under criticism over the financial state of the Scottish Premier League champions since taking over the club last year.

"I have had numerous approaches following the recent revelations in the press about the acquisition of Rangers Football Club and the use of future season ticket money," Johnston told BBC Sport.

"I believe this is a prevalent view amongst Rangers' stakeholders, who are now demanding full transparency about the funding of the acquisition of the club, its current financial status, and most importantly, the way forward.

"Therefore, in my capacity as the chairman of the club during the period when it has been alleged that certain financial arrangements of concern were executed by the buyer, I have formally requested that the Intelligence & Enforcement Directorate investigate and clarify this matter once and for all which is surely in the interests of all concerned."

The Scottish club are waiting for a tax tribunal verdict, which could result in Rangers being forced to pay up to £49m.