Mike Ashley 'can appoint Rangers board members'

Rangers interim chairman Paul Murray is reportedly waiting to see if Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley appoints two people to the club's board.

Ashley's associates, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, were ousted by South Africa-based businessman Dave King following an extraordinary general meeting at Ibrox recently.

However, Murray has suggested that the return of figures connected to Ashley has not been ruled out.

He is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "We've had no discussions with Mike Ashley or Sports Direct so far but, as we have said before, we are happy to engage with them and feel we should do.

"They are an eight per cent shareholder and have financial arrangements with the club. We need to have that conversation pretty soon, but as yet we've had no discussions with them.

"Mike Ashley does have the right to nominate two board members. It would be to the main public company, the International Football Club, and he has got rights under the first £5m loan to do that."

Rangers are currently second in the Scottish Championship.