ALASTAIR JOHNSTON hopes sweeping regime change at Ibrox will bring an end to the 'nonsense' that surrounds Rangers.

And the former Light Blues chairman is confident common ground can be struck with Mike Ashley if Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan get the chance to rebuild the club.

The boardroom hopefuls are edging closer to overthrowing the current Gers hierarchy and will hope to have the keys to Ibrox by the end of the week as they look to force through a major shake-up at the top of the Marble Staircase.

With chairman David Somers set to follow James Easdale out of Ibrox, it is close Ashley allies Derek Llambias and Barry Leach that are now in King's sights, but the Newcastle United chief remains the biggest obstacle in his path.

The billionaire has become Rangers' bank of last resort in recent months as he has strengthened his hand and tied up key commercial and merchandise revenue streams.

And Johnston, who succeeded Sir David Murray as chairman in 2009 and was in office until the arrival of Craig Whyte, reckons there can be a productive path ahead if King and Co. claim the Ibrox throne.

He told SportTimes: "I think most of the Rangers stakeholders would look for change. Fans, sponsors, media companies, everyone involved with the club, the employees, the team, the management.

"Anyone who has got a stake in Rangers, however distant, will want an end to this nonsense and some sort of sense of constructive process and dialogue going forward after that. I hope the EGM will succeed in its purpose.

"The board thereafter will have its challenges in dealing with the reality of Mike Ashley's involvement.

"But momentum has been created by the EGM and the wind will be behind them as they deal with the Ashley situation.

"Mike Ashley may be stubborn, he may be obstinate and he may be very self-engaged, but he is not stupid."