RANGERS have been accused by the leader of Glasgow City Council of co-ordinating an “orchestrated campaign” against her after plans for a fan zone at Ibrox were thrown out.

Susan Aitken said the club has “distorted” the role played by her and her deputy, David McDonald, in the refusal to allow the club to use a community facility opposite the stadium.

Ms Aitken, has written to the club and branded claims on social media alleging footballing bias as “reprehensible”.

Rangers are understood to be furious at the accusations.

Ms Aitken blamed some within the club of a “clearly orchestrated campaign” against her and her colleagues.

The decision by Glasgow Life not to give permission for a trial fan zone before their match with St Mirren on August 12 has been mired in controversy.

The club was told that while the community council objects, it cannot go ahead.

Rangers and Labour and Conservative politicians in Glasgow questioned the role of the council leadership in that decision.

In a strongly-worded response to the Ibrox club, Ms Aitken said she did not overturn any decision and said Glasgow Life told Rangers it couldn’t support their fan zone proposals.

Ms Aitken said: “There was no intervention to halt the fan zone taking place at the complex. To repeat, that decision has already been taken by Glasgow Life on the basis that the Club had failed to provide adequate assurances to the Community Council.”

A Rangers spokesman said: “It is a rather tawdry attempt to deflect from the real issues.  “Instead of insulting Rangers employees and staff by suggesting they would take to social media, it would be much more appropriate if she would address the reality of the situation and answer the pertinent questions. We all need to find out if due process was followed properly.”

Ms Aitken said if a majority on the Community Council agree there would be nothing to prevent a future application being heard by the council.  She also said her response should answer her political opponents, who also criticised her role in the issue.

A council source said: “Labour and the Tories are riding roughshod over local community concerns in their rush to do favours for old cronies and indulge in the worst kind of divisive dog whistle politics.”