Craig Whyte has admitted Rangers could be about to face the "toughest few weeks" in the club's history.

The Scottish champions are awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal which could leave them with a bill of as much as £49m should they lose their dispute with HMRC.

The club's financial status saw them lose top scorer Nikica Jelavic at last week's transfer deadline, and on Friday manager Ally McCoist said that the welfare of Rangers is more important than results on the park right now.

Speaking in an interview with Scotland on Sunday, owner Whyte said: "I agree with him. This has the potential to be the toughest few weeks in the club's history."

He added: "I wouldn't say crisis is the right word. Not at the moment.

"But we're certainly in the toughest time in the club's history. The next few weeks. I'd definitely say that much."

Whyte says he has a plan in place if the verdict goes against Rangers but declined to divulge the details.

He said: "I play my cards close to my chest. Ally and I work closely together and if that situation arises he'll be the first to know about it. We're talking about hypotheticals here."

Asked if he is nervous about it, he replied: "Not nervous at all. There's a plan in place for any eventuality.

"I couldn't go into it. If I publicised it then it would potentially jeopardise what we're working on.

"But, remember, I bought the club with this thing hanging over it. I've been thinking about it since day one. The long-term interest of the club is what I think about every day."