Rangers have announced that Craig Mather has left his role as chief executive of the club with immediate effect.

The club have stated that Mather, who replaced Charles Green in the role earlier this year, agreed to walk away from the Scottish outfit "in an attempt to help calm speculation over the governance and executive management of Rangers".

The decision comes after a group of shareholders were successful at the Court of Session to force the club to postpone its annual general meeting.

"The interests of the club are of paramount importance and I believe these are best served by me leaving the club," Mather told the club's official website. "Despite recent events and speculation, the facts of the matter are that the club is financially secure and in a far better place than it was a year ago.

"Unlike most football clubs Rangers has money in the bank, no borrowings and this season we have assembled a squad which is capable of progressing through the leagues. I have enjoyed a very constructive relationship with Ally McCoist and wish him and the team every success."

Th club also confirmed the departure of non-executive director Bryan Smart in a statement to the stock exchange.