MIKE Ashley's days as the powerbroker of Rangers are numbered, according to former club director and would-be Ibrox kingpin Dave King.

The biggest single shareholder in the club's controlling company Rangers International Football Club plc is confident his consortium will get the necessary 50% of the vote

in any forthcoming general meeting of shareholders to create the latest revolution at Ibrox.

If successful, the South Africa-based tycoon, the former Blue Knight Paul Murray and John Gilligan, the one-time managing director of Glasgow brewer Tennent's would take up controlling positions on the RIFC board. That would be at the expense of the incumbents, chairman David Somers, chief executive Derek Llambias, finance director Barry Leach, and director James Easdale, all allies of Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

Mr Ashley, who pulls the strings of the club's retail operation, has rights through a £10 million emergency club loan to two nominated directors on the RIFC board.

Mr King said: "We have enough support. I am absolutely certain we have more than 50 per cent even if every single shareholder votes, which is unlikely. We will win."

An issue Dave King has to overcome is how he can totally remove Ashley's influence on the board, without buying out Mr Ashley's emergency loan.

"I certainly don't see Ashley being a complication in this process," said Mr King.