The Rangers board has moved to reassure fans that it still owns the club crest and other trademarks after claims that shareholder Mike Ashley controlled them.

 

Reports last week suggested the badges which are a symbol of the club's heritage had passed into the possession of the Sports Direct owner, along with the club's intellectual property.

In a statement last night, the club said it remains the 'rightful and legal owners' of all its trademarks. Directors are now preparing for for key talks with Sports Direct later this month.

It emerged on Thursday that Mr Ashley's retail firm had a hold over Rangers' 'Ready' and 'scroll' crests, and the mascot Broxi Bear.

The rights for the trademarks were signed over to Sports Direct earlier this year as part of a multi-million pound loan deal the former board agreed with with the firm.

Rangers began in investigation into its intellectual property, which is worth millions of pounds, and interim chairman Paul Murray has now clarified the position with Sports Direct.

Mr Murray, Dave King and John Gilligan removed Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, both allies of Mr Ashley, at the club's EGM last month.

It was later confirmed Rangers would not be drawing down the second £5million loan that was on the table from Mr Ashley.

The first £5m tranche is still owed and Sports Direct have accepted that all rights registered to them will revert back to Rangers when the loan facility is repaid.

Rangers have now confirmed that talks will be held between both parties.

Although the trademarks are registered in Sports Direct's name, the position is not as alarming as it may first appear.

In a statement, the club said: "Let us all be absolutely clear on this matter. Rangers remain the rightful and legal owners of their trademarks and interim chairman Paul Murray has clarified this position with Sports Direct. "In fact, both parties will come together within the next two weeks for talks.

"Confusion over ownership arose last week when it was noticed on a Government Intellectual Property site that they appeared to be the possessions of Sports Direct but this was as a consequence of the loan facility entered into by the club's previous board in January of this year."