FORMER Rangers chief executive Charles Green's claim that the club should pay his legal fees in his defence of criminal charges he faces over the Sevco acquisition of club assets in 2012 will be "strongly resisted" says chairman Dave King.

It is understood Mr Green claims his contract entitles him to legal cover during and after his time at the helm.

Mr King said that Mr Green approached the club prior to his arrest and demanded that the club pay his legal costs "in respect of his co-operation with Police Scotland in its criminal investigation into his time as an officer of the club".

Mr King said: "I advised him that we would not do so. He was subsequently arrested and has now approached the court to compel the club to pay the legal costs of his defence to the criminal charges.

"This application will be strongly resisted."

Mr Green fronted the Sevco consortium to buy the assets of the club through a £5.5m loan in June 2012 as the oldco headed into liquidation.

He was forced to resign as chief executive in April 2013 when allegations of business links with former owner Craig Whyte emerged, although he denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Green and a number of others, including the club's former owner Craig Whyte, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court earlier this month charged in connection with the Sevco takeover.

The moves followed a long-running investigation by Police Scotland into events at the club in 2012 and 2013.

Legal representatives of Mr Green have called for a court ruling on his claim, with fees involved expected to be in excess of £500,000.

Mr Green left his £360,000-a-year chief executive role in April 2013 with a 100% bonus after Rangers won the Third Division, while he also received a large pay-off for standing down.

He was once one of the biggest single shareholders in Rangers International Football Club plc, with a 7.7 per cent stake in the company, which he was able to sell off in December 2013, as part of a lock-in agreement he entered into.