Former Rangers commercial director Imran Ahmad has said he will not co-operate with the police investigation into the acquisition by the Sevco consortium of the club assets.

The former ally of former chief executive Charles Green left the club in April 2013, said he will stay abroad.

Mr Ahmad, who spoke after four other men were charged over the deal, expressed concerns about his liberty should he return.

He said he and his legal team also had 'grave concerns' about widespread reports of the Rangers case on social media.

Mr Ahmad said that he had recently "received death threats by phone and online".

He added: "I have decided not to attend the Crown's 'invite' warrant on the September 29, 2015 and will remain overseas until the trial is over when I will return to the UK."

The Crown Office said it would be inappropriate to comment.

Both Mr Green and Mr Ahmad had been subject to a club probe about the Sevco consortium's links with former owner Craig Whyte. Both denied that Mr Whyte was involved in the purchase of the assets of the club.

Mr Whyte bought Rangers from Sir David Murray in May 2011 but by the summer of 2012 Green had taken charge after his Sevco consortium bought the liquidated assets.

Mr Ahmad had remained in post until messages posted under a pseudonym on a fans' website were alleged to have come from his official Rangers email account.

Four men have appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court, including Mr Whyte and Mr Green, in connection with the Sevco consortium’s purchase of liquidated assets after the oldco went into administration.