Field Fisher Waterhouse has been instructed by Rangers FC's would-be owner Charles Green, as the former Sheffield United chief executive negotiates an £8.5m deal to purchase the struggling Scottish football club.

Sport head Patrick Cannon is leading the Field Fisher team, working alongside corporate partners Christine Phillips, David Wilkinson and Amerjit Kalirai with support from insolvency consultant Robin Tutty and associate Shash Dayal.

Green, who is backed by a global consortium of 20 individuals from the UK, Asia and the Middle East, became the preferred bidder on Sunday (May 13) after US trucking tycoon Bill Miller withdrew his bid for the club, citing worse-than-expected financials and a negative response from Rangers fans.

Field Fisher's relationship with Green dates back several years, after the firm acted for AIM-listed construction management specialist Formation Group when Green was chairman.

Green is hoping to lift Rangers out of administration via a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), but said he will set up a new company if the consortium is unable to secure a CVA that will keep creditors happy and prepare the club for next season's Scottish Premier League.

Other firms to have taken roles related to Rangers' current woes include Taylor Wessing, which is advising the administrators Duff & Phelps in their case against law firm Collyer Bristow.

Collyer is facing negligence claims totalling more than £25m relating to its role in the high-profile 2011 takeover of Rangers by Scots businessman Craig Whyte and the club's subsequent administration.

Clyde & Co is acting for Collyer Bristow led by commercial disputes partner Richard Harrison, who has instructed 3 Verulam Buildings's Cyril Kinsky QC and Matthew Hardwick as counsel.

Scots firm Biggart Baillie was instructed by Duff & Phelps early on in the administration, and is continuing to advise on some Scottish aspects.

Olswang and Walker Morris have also taken related roles for bidding parties, advising Miller and Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy respectively.