SANDY EASDALE, the chairman of the Rangers football board, has denied seeking assurances he would remain at Ibrox if the £16m takeover bid by former director Dave King was successful.

Easdale has hit back at claims by King that he he wanted some security over his position at Rangers during discussions over the takeover. King says Easdale was advised that there was "no immediate intention to remove him or his brother [James] from the board".

Easdale, who heads the operating company subsidiary The Rangers Football Club Ltd, holds voting rights veto over major investment decisions but is unpopular with a some supporters, including the Union of Fans. The supporters' group have already expressed disgust at the rejection of King's offer in favour of a £3m interest free emergency loan from Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley.

The Newcastle United owner has an 8.9 per cent stake but now has a grip on the club as a result of an alliance with Easdale, who holds voting rights over 26.8 per cent, and Isle of Man-based hedge fund Laxey Partners, which controls 16.3 per cent.

King had urged fans to boycott matches and stop buying official merchandise in a row with Rangers chairman David Somers over the bid's rejection. Easdale said the bid was never properly received as King did not satisfy Somers' "reasonable and corporately responsible questions regarding proof of funds".

But King responded yesterday: "It remains interesting that Sandy continues to take the lead on public company affairs. The truth is, when I spoke to Sandy on my recent trip to Scotland his main concern was whether, after investment by our consortium, he would still be able to stay involved with the club.

"He indicated that Mike Ashley would look after him if he assisted Ashley in protecting his commercial rights. The new investment proposed by Paul [Murray], George [Letham] and I was seen as a threat to Sports Direct's desire to extend its influence over the Rangers brand in all its forms."

Ashley has for two years had effective control of all financial matters at the club's Rangers Retail operation.

"After discussion with Paul and George, I confirmed by email to Sandy that we had no immediate intention to remove him or his brother from board involvement at Rangers," added King. "This concession was clearly not enough to gain his support and the board approved the inferior offer presented by Ashley."

But Easdale claims there had been no discussion between them on the matters King mentioned.

"If Mr King has any proof of such a conversations and when and where they took place he should produce it and if he is suggesting any improper conduct or motive he should make his position clear," said a spokesperson for Easdale. "Anybody who knows Mr Easdale would find it risible that he would have adopted such a subservient tone with Mr King."

Meanwhile, the Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy revealed that his £3m loan, rejected by the Rangers board, came as a result of an approach by the now-resigned chief executive Graham Wallace on October 22.

"The loan was designed to give the board of Rangers [International Football Club] plc the time to pursue Dave King's offer and/or a new share issue in order to ensure long-term financial security," Kennedy said.