KENNY McDOWALL has admitted that the first he knew about five Newcastle United players heading for Rangers on loan on transfer deadline day came when he saw the news break on television.

The Ibrox caretaker manager has since been ordered by his chief executive, Derek Llambias, and Sandy Easdale, the chairman of the club's football board, to pick Gael Bigirimana, Remie Streete, Haris Vuckic, Shane Ferguson and Kevin Mbabu for the first-team when they are fit.

The players, two of whom are injured, arrived from Tyneside just a week after Rangers had accepted a £10m loan from the Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley.

McDowall was not involved in the identification of the quintet as suitable additions to the squad of the SPFL League One champions and has been told that he will have no say whatsoever on recruitment or departures as he continues to work the 12-month notice period on his contract after resigning.

"Derek phoned me on Monday evening to say that he had managed to secure the services of five Newcastle boys on loan," said McDowall.

"I had seen reports on Sky. Obviously, anyone who's into football watches Sky, so that was the first time I'd heard anything about it.

"That doesn't frustrate me. To be fair, when I took over the post, I was told that players incoming and outgoing wouldn't be my responsibility, which I was fine with, especially now that I've handed my notice in.

"My remit is to coach the team during the week and prepare them for matches."

Ferguson has only been back doing light training after a knee injury that kept him out for months with Mbabu also on the sidelines.

"One is a fortnight to three weeks away and the other one is a wee bit longer, probably five weeks away," confirmed McDowall.

McDowall has confirmed that he was informed that the loan players must be in the line-up every week during a meeting held with Llambias and Easdale at Ibrox.

"When they are fit, they will play," said McDowall. "I have been told that by Derek Llambias and Sandy Easdale.

"I'm absolutely fine with that as I've handed in my notice, as you know, and my remit is to work with the team, so that's what I will do.

"The players have come in and we are more than happy to have an addition to our squad."

McDowall was diplomatic when asked whether he would have accepted such conditions had he not decided to follow the former manager, Ally McCoist, currently on gardening leave, out of the door.

"Possibly, but the fact of the matter is that I've handed my notice in," he said. "I'm happy to work to the instructions given and that's what I'll do.

"As far as I've been told, the boys will play providing they are fit. I'll carry that instruction out. In terms of once the game has started, I will make substitutions as I see fit."

McDowall did attend a Newcastle United reserve match with McCoist towards the end of last year when it became clear that loan deals were being considered, but he points out that he had no say at all on which players were eventually transported north to Glasgow.

"Ally and I went down at the end of November to watch a Newcastle reserve game, in which two of the boys played," he said. "I spoke with Derek about a month ago. He made me aware that he was trying to bring players in and it could possibly be five coming up. I didn't know who the five were going to be, obviously."

McDowall's revelations increase pressure on the current board, with unconfirmed reports stating that an extraordinary general meeting aimed at ousting them will take place on March 6. He has not been told of any changes to his employment status, though.

"I've had no indication," he said. "I have intimated I'm working my 12 months, so that's what I'll continue to do."