THE battle for Rangers has intensified with the Easdale brothers citing The Living Dead to characterise a former director and Dave King issuing a statement in a bid to clear the way for any accession to the Ibrox board.

 

A coruscating statement released by Jack Irvine, adviser to the Easdale brothers who hold power at Ibrox, targeted Paul Murray, a supporter of King while the South African-based businessman claimed his conviction for tax offences would not preclude him from taking over at Rangers if he secures control at the general meeting he has requested

Murray has likened the Rangers board to Gerald Ratner who infamously plunged his jewellery business into crisis by insulting his customers.

But Irvine hit back, saying: "So like an episode of The Living Dead, Paul Murray emerges from his Borders lair having vowed never to return . He says he expects a smear campaign against himself and Dave King and in the same breath compares the Rangers board to Gerald Ratner. Hypocritical? You decide.

"If Mr Murray and Mr King ever do get anywhere near the club they are welcome to carry out a robust financial investigation. The Easdale brothers have never taken a penny from the club and nor have they claimed any expenses.

"One begins to wonder if we are not dealing with Paul McKenna as opposed to Paul Murray who appears to have hypnotised himself and his cohorts into obliterating the memory fact that they sold their beloved club for one pound. Rangers men? You decide."

Murray is supporting the bid byKing to call an extraordinary general meeting in an attempt to overthrow the present board.

In a bullish statement, King stressed that since his tax case he had been executive chairman of a public company in South Africa, and he claimed to have such a solid working relationship with the South African tax authorities that it was now one of his biggest business clients.

King's ability to convince the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) that he can be a director of a publicly listed company, and to persuade the SFA that he is a fit and proper person to hold office at Rangers, has been questioned and criticised because of his conviction. King admitted to 41 criminal counts of contravening the South Africa Income Tax Act and agreed to a settlement which involved paying £44m to spare a jail term which could have stretched to 82 years.

That conviction, and King's history as a director on the Rangers board for a period leading up to the club's liquidation under Craig Whyte in 2012, has led to speculation that the SFA will block him from holding a formal position at Rangers.

"I am happy with the settlement and the opportunity this created for me to lead a normal business and personal life. My business interests have performed very strongly post-settlement with the SA government by far my largest customer. I am also able to enjoy my role as executive chairman of a public company without the integrity issues that previously dogged me," said King.

The South African media has reported that senior managers at the country's revenue services had been suspended for allegedly operating a rogue intelligence unit that had spied on senior politicians and businessmen, including King. There has been speculation that some of those convicted may seek to have their cases reviewed, but King said he was satisfied with his settlement.

He said: " My business interests have performed very strongly post-settlement with the SA government by far my largest customer. I am also able to enjoy my role as executive chairman of a public company without the integrity issues that previously dogged me.''

He added: ''Importantly, I also now have sufficient time and resources to invest in getting Rangers back on track."

Meanwhile, the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund has announced it will support financially supporters' attempts to challenge any security over assets granted to Mike Ashley, the Newcastle United owner and Sport Direct entrepreneur.