DAVE King hopes talks with major shareholder Sandy Easdale have moved him a step closer to taking power at Rangers.

Former director King discussed his plans for the stricken Ibrox club with Greenock businessman Easdale on the telephone on Tuesday.

And a source close to the McGill's bus company tycoon described the negotiations as "amicable" - but added that "many questions remain unanswered".

South Africa-based King has joined forces with other concerned fans and put together a £16million rescue package.

The Gers do not have enough money to see them to the end of the year despite raising over £3m in a share offering last month.

The King camp is confident the offer they have made is too attractive for the current club directors to turn down. Sandy Easdale does not sit on the plc board - but he owns over 5% of the club and holds proxy voting rights for another 20%.

So Easdale, whose younger brother James is a director, could block any bid to launch a fresh share issue that would allow King to seize control.

The wealthy Scottish businessman, who invested £20m during the Sir David Murray era, returned to his homeland last week.

He has banded together with fellow former director Paul Murray and George Letham, who loaned the club £1m earlier this year.

The Castlemilk-raised financier made his move after Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley called for an extraordinary general meeting.

Ashley, who owns 8.92% of the club, has called for chief executive Graham Wallace and director Philip Nash to be removed. Former Manchester City chief executive Wallace and ex-Arsenal and Liverpool financial guru Nash are believed to be keen on King coming on board.

King, who has tax convictions in South Africa, will have to be approved by both the Stock Exchange and the SFA if he succeeds in taking control. Neither Sandy Easdale nor King were available for comment.

Meanwhile, Rangers striker Nicky Clark has predicted that the Ibrox club's superior strength in depth could give them an advantage over Hearts this season.

Rangers, who have a game in hand, are currently trailing Hearts by nine points in the second tier table.

Clark said: "I'm sure Hearts and us will stumble somewhere along the way

"I think having a big squad was an advantage right from the start of the season. But we need that because it's a long season."