The Scottish owner of top English Rugby Union club Sale Sharks is contemplating a bid for stricken Glasgow soccer giants Rangers - but only if no other viable offer emerges.

Administrators of the cash-strapped Scottish champions, who have revealed there has been interest from America and the Far East, have given a Friday deadline for "serious" bidders to make their positions clear.

Sale owner Brian Kennedy told BBC Scotland on Wednesday: "I don't really want to buy the club, but I don't want to see Rangers die.

"I've said from the start that if the administrators view my offer as the best one for the club, I'm happy to take it on.

"But I'll be equally happy if someone else can take it on."

Kennedy said he'd be reluctant to take charge at Ibrox, citing the example of former owner David Murray, whose achievements with the club are set to be outweighed by his controversial decision to sell Rangers to Craig Whyte.

"That's one thing that makes me reluctant," Kennedy added. "It always ends in tears. It's like being Prime Minister."

Another possible new owner is the Blue Knights consortium, led by former Rangers director Paul Murray.

Mass redundancies were prevented last Friday when all players accepted wage cuts of up to 75 percent for the rest of the season, after Mervan Celik and Gregg Wylde had left voluntarily.

Administrators were called in on February 14 after British tax authorities went to court to seek payment of an unpaid bill of £9 million (USm) built up since Whyte took charge at Ibrox in May.

Administration meant Rangers were docked 10 points - a move that effectively handed this season's Scottish Premier League title to arch Glasgow rivals Celtic.

AFP