With the future governance of their club being campaigned over, Rangers fans are being urged to seek direct control themselves.

The Rangers Supporters Trust, which owns a small portion of the club, has launched a monthly direct debit scheme to allow fans to build up more funds to buy a larger share, with the eventual aim of owning an influential stake.

The BuyRangers scheme raised £250,000 ahead of the public offering of shares last year, and the intention is to increase the holding of 357,142 shares before having enough to own the club outright.

"This is a significant step in facilitating the collective purchase of a major shareholding in our club," said Gordon Dinnie, chairman of the RST. "We believe that greater fan involvement will help secure the future of our club and ensure recent dark times never descend on us again.

"Year on year, the Rangers support invests more than anyone else and during our recent trials and tribulations, the loyalty of the wider Rangers family shown to the club has been nothing short of remarkable. It is time for that loyalty to be recognised and the voice of the support heard in the boardroom. By saving monthly towards purchasing shares in Rangers, [fans] can help achieve this aim."

Fans can sign up at www.therst.co.uk/buyrangers