Rangers vice-chairman John Bennett has criticised the SPFL for their 'cynical tactics' over their labelling of the club's dossier as a "smoking gun" - and insists the issue is not merely Gers vs the governing body.

The Ibrox outfit provided all 42 clubs with their 200 page account of whistleblower evidence they claim addresses wrongdoing with regards to the recent resolution vote. However the SPFL fired back with their own statement, alleging that Rangers chairman Douglas Park 'threatened' chief Neil Doncaster. In the response they also said there was no proof of anything untoward.

Bennett also vehemently denies suggestions that Rangers accused the SPFL of bullying and coercion, rather they reported what they claim to have been told by other clubs.

And he says the SPFL have spun the narrative to play it off as "big bad Rangers" - when he instead claims more clubs are now beginning to ask questions of the governing body in Scotland. "If you look at the several weeks, and I think I saw a reference by the SPFL in the latest 'move along' statement, that there is no smoking gun and finally Rangers released their dossier," Bennett told Rangers TV.

"That is classic but cynical tactics. You had a several week vacuum created by their timeline and by what they asked us to do.  They sought to fill that void by coming up with words like smoking gun by coming out that Rangers allege bullying and coercion.

"Rangers did not. Rangers received reports of such things and I believe those were even reported to the CEO himself. So they created this timeline that Rangers and the other requisitioners had to follow.

"They then filled that time with what was quite an orchestrated media campaign over the last week or two. And they get in there slogans. I actually see it as sloganeering and electioneering. That's what's going on here.

"Rangers have been consistent. We wanted to produce evidence. Evidence that asks serious questions that we are not alone in putting and the right forum to answer those questions is an independent investigation."

On the issue being Rangers vs the SPFL, Bennett responded: "[That is] very convenient, very easy. And very cynical once again by the SPFL to isolate Rangers. Again, it's been a concerted attempt to isolate Rangers.

"Someone said they are playing the big bad Rangers card and it's easy to do that.

"It probably makes life a bit easier for them and makes them think it will be a bit easier to win whatever they think they are going to win with all of this. Peoples' votes or peoples' hearts and minds in all of this.

"I do think many people see through it. This was never about Rangers versus the SPFL. Let's be clear on that. This was about Rangers and other clubs, many people asking questions. 

"As someone in the media put it, attempting to shine a light on what goes on in the governing body. It's very, very clear it's a light that's unwelcome. They have made it very clear they don't like that light shone upon them.

"That's all Rangers have been trying to do, with other clubs, and if it takes us to lead that, and we have had a good number of clubs saying we need to lead it, well then we will lead it and we will not stop asking questions."