Crisis club Rangers have suffered a fresh blow with administrators saying there is “no realistic prospect” of the Scottish champions being allowed to play in European competitions next season.

Joint administrator Paul Clark said on Wednesday the way the Glasgow giants had been run by owner Craig Whyte had left Rangers with almost no chance of meeting UEFA’s criteria for a licence before the European football governing body’s deadline of March 31.

“As regards the club playing in European competitions next season, there is no realistic prospect of the club being able to fulfil its obligations prior to the March 31 deadline set by UEFA,” Clark said in a statement that effectively ruled Rangers out of next term’s lucrative Champions League as well as the Europa League.

Administrators were called in on February 14 after British tax authorities went to court to seek payment of an unpaid bill of STG9 million ($A13.5 million) built up since Whyte took control at Ibrox in May.

Rangers are also awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal that could leave them with a bill of up to STG75 million, according to Whyte.

The 140-year-old club were docked 10 points for entering administration, a penalty that effectively handed the SPL title to arch Glasgow rivals Celtic.

Administration is the process whereby a troubled company calls upon independent expert financial help in a bid to remain operational.