No official confirmation yet from Ibrox about the departure of Mr Green although this has been reported by the BBC since around 2pm today (and by me at about 2.04pm).

Breaking – statement issued as shown below!

The BBC’s Roddy Forsyth said “Make no mistake about it; he has gone.”

So where does this leave Rangers?

The PLC Board now appears to be left with the following Executive Directors:-

Brian Stockbridge … err, that’s it.

There are a number of non-execs:-

Chairman Malcolm Murray

Walter Smith

Ian Hart

Phillip Cartmell

Bryan Smart

As for Rangers Football Club Ltd, the former Sevco Scotland Ltd and the company which owns the assets which make up the football club (as opposed to the PLC which is 100% owner of the company which owns the assets which make up the football club) the Board is as follows:-

Imran Ahmad

Brian Stockbridge

And that is it.

Malcolm Murray was on the Board here too, but his appointment was terminated on 20th December 2012, allowing him to move to being Non-exec Chairman of the PLC.

The confirmation statement:-

The Company announces that Charles Green has notified the Board that he wishes to step down as Chief Executive with immediate effect. Recent weeks have seen media interest in the circumstances surrounding the period prior to the acquisition of The Club by the consortium led by Mr Green. Whilst Mr Green strenuously denies any wrongdoing, he has recognised that this negative publicity is a distraction and is detracting from the achievements and reputation of The Club. As a result, Mr Green has informed the Board that he will leave his post with immediate effect and leave the Company, following an orderly handover, by the end of May. The Board has commenced the search for a new Chief Executive and expects the role to attract high quality candidates from both within and outwith the industry. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Malcolm Murray said, “Charles Green was instrumental in helping to secure financial stability for The Club. The impact that he had in turning The Club around from the dark days of last summer will never be forgotten by the fans who I am sure, like me, will thank him for this and for choosing to put The Club ahead of his personal position at this time”.

Charles Green said, “Recent events have undoubtedly been a distraction for both myself and all involved with Rangers and I feel that it is appropriate that I step down so that The Club can continue to progress back to where it belongs at the pinnacle of Scottish football. I am very proud to have been associated with a club of the stature of Rangers and am proud of the achievements of The Club during my tenure as Chief Executive. My thanks go to the Rangers fans, whose support has been tremendous during my time at The Club.”

So, he is going, not because he has done anything wrong clearly, but because “recent events” have proved to be a distraction.

What is the difference, one wonders, between leaving his post immediately, and the company in May? Might this have to do with an orderly disposal of his shares? After all, one suspects he would not want to stay as the largest shareholder in the PLC, nor might the PLC want him in that position. After all, in light of the allegations about Mr Whyte’s involvement with Mr Green, and suggestions that Mr Green’s ownership was a front for Mr Whyte, he needs to dispose of the shares too?

Otherwise, won’t the distractions continue?

And the news might be good for Kenny Miller, as the Scotsman reported today that his signing by Ally McCoist was being blocked by Charles Green on the basis that Mr Green did not want to buy over the hill former players who were last decent footballers a few years back older players whose wage demands would far exceed any limited resale value.

Posted by Paul McConville