King claims Rangers battle victory

Dave King claims he is is on the verge of taking control of Rangers after Ibrox chief executive Derek Llambias admitted he had secured a "landslide victory''.

The former oldco director has already chased off chairman David Somers and director James Easdale after calling a general meeting to rout the Ibrox board.

But in a statement, the South Africa-based business man claims remaining directors Llambias and Barry Leach have also waved the white flag.

However, King says the remaining duo - both long-term asssociates of Newcastle United owner and Gers investor Mike Ashley - have both "stubbornly'' refused to resign ahead of Friday's shareholder vote at Ibrox.

Clyde Sport understands both men have demanded their year's notice period is paid up in full before they walk.

The meeting will now have to go ahead, costing the cash-strapped Light Blues around £80,000.

King, who will now take over the running of the crisis-hit Glasgow giants alongside former Blue Knight and ex-Glasgow brewery boss John Gilligan, said in a statement: "All of the Rangers directors that are subject to my requisition have now accepted that my resolutions have been successful and there is now no need for the general meeting to proceed.

"Mr Llambias put it best by advising me that I had achieved a 'landslide' victory. I wish to thank all shareholders, and particularly the fans, for this resounding success. The future now looks more recognisable for all Rangers stakeholders.

"James Easdale and David Somers did the right thing by resigning however the two appointees of Mr Ashley have stubbornly refused to resign and are using their current position (as remaining directors) to withhold implementation of the resolutions for personal gain.

"Now that the incoming board and I can focus on the future I will issue a further press statement outlining the immediate and intermediate steps that we have to take as we commence the road to re-establishing Rangers to the institution that its legacy demands.''

King also released an email he sent to Llambias and finance director Leach on Tuesday morning in which he tells the pair to do the honourable thing and quit before the shareholders summit.

In it, he wrote: "During yesterday's call Mr Llambias advised me that the result of my requisitioning was a 'landslide' in my favour.

"This was already recognised by messrs. Easdale and Somers last week resulting in their resignations to avoid the wasted cost of holding a general meeting.

"As a courtesy Mr Somers advised me that he would assist in the handover and he agreed to remain a director until the 6th March thereby ensuring that the requisite appointments could be effected without the cost of a meeting.

"I was subsequently disappointed that Mr Somers resigned on Monday with immediate effect. When asked to explain this sudden change of mind he advised that this was done at your joint request.

"You have now engineered an outcome whereby I require your cooperation to implement the requisitioned changes without the need for wasted costs and are using this in an attempt to extract a profitable exit from the company.

"I made it clear yesterday that I am not amenable to that. I point out to you both that your fiduciary responsibilities as directors of the company can not be exercised to your personal advantage.

"I call on you to immediately implement the appointment of directors as discussed with the club's Nomad WH Ireland followed immediately by your resignations.

"If you fail to do so, and costs are incurred on the now unnecessary general meeting, you will be jointly responsible in your personal capacity for such wasted costs.

"Your attempts to resign from your management functions can only be dealt with after the changes to the board have been made and there is authority on both sides to act on any decision reached.

"Given the urgency (caused by your failure to act as your co---directors did) I call on you to immediately, on receipt of this email, confirm that you will proceed as requested. This should have happened last week.''