Talks are continuing in a bid to resurrect Rangers’ fan zone plan, according to Glasgow City Council’s deputy leader.

David McDonald, who was accused of intervening to stop the fan zone going ahead earlier this year, revealed that council, Glasgow Life and Gers chiefs had been in discussions as recently as this week.

Rangers had planned to host four pilot events at the Ibrox Football Centre, starting with the St Mirren game on August 12 but those were pulled days before the fan zone was due to take place.

Glasgow Life has previously confirmed it would not allow use of the Ibrox Football Centre after the area’s community council objected to the plans.

But yesterday, Mr McDonald said: “The city government’s view on fan zones is best summed up in a letter that the leader of the council sent to the SFA with regards to Hampden.

Read more: Rangers denied fan zone after council pulls permission for venue

“Fan zones are an important part of the football landscape. The council would be supportive of fan zones where appropriate levels of community engagements are in place.

“In the last few days the chief executive of Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life have met with Rangers to discuss the way the club has worked with city in the past and will work in the future.

“We agreed to all work together to find a solution which works for everyone.”

Mr McDonald continued to deny that he, council leader Susan Aitken and Govan councillor Stephen Dornan had intervened to deny the club use of the Ibrox Football Centre.

He added: “Members should be mindful not to repeat any unfounded allegations particularly when their political group has been notified that the allegations are not true.

“The timeline is clear and unambiguous, as is the decision-making process. Anyone who suggests otherwise is at worst wrong and at best seeking to exploit the situation for political gain.”

Read more: Rangers fan zone row: Lib Dem MSP hits back at council leader’s ‘exploiting sectarian division’ accusation

But Labour Group leader Frank McAveety hit back at that response. And he demanded an apology from Susan Aitken who last month accused him and MSPs Anas Sarwar and Pauline McNeill of “stoking bigotry” in a letter last month.

He said: “I’m tired of SNP politicians insinuating that whenever people raise legitimate issues about how fan zones can be developed for football clubs in this city, it is tied up with other issues.

“I’m still waiting on my apology from the council leader and I strongly expect it to occur."

The comments came after Conservative councillor Ewan Blockley called on the local authority to back the plans for the fan zone.

He said: “I feel like a lot of Rangers fans - there has been a lack of engagement with the fans, Rangers and Club 1872.

"Fan zones absolutely improve the matchday experience. That’s exactly why it should happen.”