RANGERS players are having to give up their luxury cars.

The Lomond Audi Group has started to recover a fleet of 35 top-of-the-range vehicles which players, backroom staff and club administrators had been using free of charge.

The cars were part of a sponsorship deal which saw Lomond officials receive free advertising at Ibrox and on the club's website.

Lomond chiefs said the two-year "multi-million pound sponsorship" was a "significant investment" which had now expired.

A spokeswoman confirmed: "The contract expired at the end of June so there is nothing we can do about the situation.

"We didn't terminate the contract but because of the situation there is nothing we can do about renewing it so it's coming to a natural conclusion."

Normally the Rangers fleet comprises 45 cars – including models A4s, A60s and A3s – but the number had shrunk to 35 and showroom staff had begun taking delivery of the vehicles on Friday, a process that was continuing "in dribs and drabs".

The spokeswoman insisted the contract had not been renewed because of the current uncertainty over which league the Old Firm club will be playing in next season.

She added: "At the moment we don't know where the newco will be playing so there's nothing we can do."

The latest move comes shortly after star player Steven Naismith claimed the Audi R8 sports car "is simply the best car I have ever driven".

He has now opted to quit the Glasgow club.