Rangers manager Ally McCoist has blasted the Scottish Football Association for leaving the club in a 'ludicrous situation'.
The Rangers Football Club have finally been granted permission to begin their domestic season against Brechin City by the Scottish Football League.
McCoist is still furious that the newco Rangers have to take on the debts and 12-month transfer ban as they try to adjust to life the SFL Third Division.
He told Sky Sports News: "In my years in professional football, I have not always agreed with everything the SFA did or said. But, no matter what you thought of their decisions, there was no doubt they ran the game firmly and robustly.
"I can only imagine [former SFA secretary] Ernie Walker looking down on us now and shaking his head in disbelief at the sad state of affairs.
"As for the SPL, they seem determined to pursue as hostile an agenda as possible. They kicked us out of the SPL - which was their right - but that doesn't seem enough.
"They want what we and our fans bring, yet seem determined to strip us of every bit of our dignity. It has to stop."
Rangers face Brechin City in the Ramsdens Cup on Sunday.