RANGERS fans have been urged to stand firm in their boycott of official merchandise after the latest twist in the Ibrox retail saga.

SportTimes revealed in June that Gers fans would not be able to purchase the new Puma manufactured strips for the 2016/17 campaign after the Light  Blues board terminated the IP Licence and Rights Agreement with Rangers Retail Limited earlier this year.

But some stores have now taken delivery of the new home, away and third kit and will start selling the strips to supporters from Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Rangers 'surprised and disappointed' at merchandise development ahead of new kit launchGlasgow Times:

Many Gers fans have refused to hand over their cash for official merchandise in protest at Mike Ashley’s involvement at Ibrox and the controversial contracts in place with Sports Direct.

Supporters now have a chance to buy the strips that Mark Warburton’s side will wear in the Premiership this term and a Rangers statement on Wednesday evening stated the club were ‘surprised and disappointed’ with the latest developments.

And fan organisation Club 1872 have called for fans to refrain from buying official merchandise as the complex situation continues to rumble on.

A statement read: “It is absolutely clear from the statement issued by Rangers that the situation regarding official Rangers merchandise has not been resolved to their satisfaction.

“As a result we would urge supporters not to purchase the official kit from ANY outlets where it goes on sale.

“It has been clear for some time that Sports Direct continue to treat both our football club and our supporters with utter contempt.

“It is extremely disappointing to see Puma follow suit by making this season’s kit available for sale without reaching a satisfactory agreement with Rangers.

“We have been used to this type of behaviour from Sports Direct and Mike Ashley but it now appears Puma are following suit.

“They have made no attempt to consider the views of Rangers supporters and no attempt to engage with their customers over a deal that they are an integral part of.

“They appear to value their relationship with Sports Direct above their responsibility to Rangers supporters and football fans in general.

“We share the desire of our fellow supporters to once again be able to purchase replica strips and wear them with pride but we would reiterate that purchasing this strip will not assist Rangers Football Club in any way.

“In fact we believe it will damage the club’s attempts to find a satisfactory solution to this issue.”