Rangers could pay Newcastle United £500k if they are promoted this season

Rangers will pay Newcastle United £500k if they are promoted to the Scottish Premiership this season, as part of the deal that brought five players on loan to Ibrox in January.

Gael Bigirimana, Shane Ferguson, Kevin Mbabu, Remie Streete and Haris Vuckic all joined the club on loan from Newcastle in January, but Vuckic is the only player to have featured more than once for the club.

Bigirimana and Ferguson look set to never play for the club due to injury, while Mbabu has only featured for the youth team. Streete picked up an injury after 45 minutes of his debut and has not appeared since.

"During the January 2015 transfer window, the club loaned five players from Newcastle United. As part of those contracts, should the club gain promotion in season 2014/15, either directly or via the playoff method, the Club will be liable to pay a total of £500,000 to Newcastle United Football Company Limited," a club statement said.

Rangers will need to win the Scottish Championship playoff if they are to be promoted, after Hearts were crowned champions two weeks ago.