[1] The fallout from the 2016 Scottish Cup Final fan violence continued with the SFA announcing a former Sheriff principal would chair the independent commission into the disorder.

[2][3] The commission reported on 5 August and concluded the pitch invasion was sparked by the high excitement of Hibernian fans, yet neither club could be blamed.

[6] The end of May, post the 2016 Scottish Cup Final, saw Rangers continue preparations for the forthcoming season with the signing of English Championship winner Joey Barton from Burnley,[7] Liverpool youth player Jordan Rossiter,[8] former Tottenham Hotspur play-maker Niko Kranjčar[9] and Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson also disclosed Warburton and Weir were negotiating new contracts,[10] with the pair agreeing one-year extensions on 12 July.

[14] The side began the season in mid-July as part of the new look League Cup format,[15] paired in a group with Motherwell, Annan Athletic, East Stirlingshire and Stranraer.

After topping their group[19] and strong showings in the two subsequent rounds,[20][21] Rangers set up a semi-final against Celtic,[22] however, the side lost 1-0 which ended their participation in the competition.

[30] Upon the completion of his suspension, Barton returned to Ibrox for a meeting on 27 October, however, upon its conclusion it emerged that he remained suspended by the club and no party made further comment.

[34] Barton was unhappy at being relegated to the youth team and was signed off with stress on 8 November[35] but the saga came to a conclusion two days later when the Englishman agreed to a mutual contract terminated.

[36] The sides form improved through December, with the team building a four match winning run on the back of a poor 2-0 defeat to Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle on 30 November.

The January transfer window saw the club released several former youth prospects who had failed to meet expectations, while Warburton brought in two young loanee signings from English Premier League sides in the shape of Emerson Hyndman and Jon Toral from Bournemouth and Arsenal respectively.

However, the lack of any permanent outfield signings drew criticism, as did the performances of the previous summers transfers, with particular focus being placed on the role of Head of Recruitment Frank McParland.

The first-team's poor performance in the first half of the season a prominent cause, which crystallised after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat away to Heart of Midlothian on 1 February[43] and an insipid 1-1 draw at home to Ross County three days later, a match which proved to be Warburtons last game in charge of Rangers.

According to the papers lodged with the Court of Session, Rangers sought approximately £4.1m in damages caused by alleged negligence by Green and other club staff from which Ashley unfairly benefited.

[61] The trial concerning accusations of fraudulent acquisition of the Club began in April 2017, with former Rangers managers Walter Smith and Ally McCoist called to give evidence about the financial situation at the Oldco preceding Whyte's reign.

[64] Although RIFC did settle a fine imposed upon the Oldco by the Nimmo Smith commission[65] after a tribunal held against the club in October 2015, the total cost was £286,000.

On Halloween 2016 it emerged that Ashley lodged a counter-suit against Rangers, King and director Paul Murray,[79] with initial proceedings regarding the case being heard at the High Court of Justice in March 2017.

[94] In November, the fans group increased its holding further to become the fifth largest individual shareholder, possessing just over five million ordinary shares,[95] however, further setbacks saw three directors resign from the board of Club 1872 after only six months in post.