Ashley Wins Rangers Battle

Mike Ashley has won the battle for control of Rangers after the Ibrox board rejected Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy's 11th-hour loan offer, we understand. The Newcastle owner - who already has an 8.92 per cent stake in the club - will now strengthen his grip on the Light Blues boardroom after his £2 million offer was accepted by the club's directors on Saturday morning. Kennedy - a member of the Blue Knights consortium which failed to stop the club from sinking into liquidation in the summer of 2012 - had made a last-gasp £3 million counter offer but the cash-strapped Ibrox outfit has decided to put its faith in Ashley.