RANGERS fans have secured more than 7% of shares to vote against the under-fire Ibrox board at the make-or-break Light Blues EGM.

Supporters groups have spent recent weeks steadily increasing their shareholding in RIFC plc and collecting proxy votes from smaller shareholders.

The Rangers Supporters Trust this week snapped up 450,000 shares from Beaufort Nominees, who held the stock aligned to the board and controlled by Sandy Easdale.

After the news that James Easdale had stepped down from the board yesterday morning, the RST and Rangers First announced they had taken charge of more Gers shares.

Both groups will vote for all resolutions at the Ibrox showdown as Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan look to oust the beleaguered board, which now consists of just David Somers, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach following Easdale's departure.

The Trust have collected a further 514,000 proxy votes, taking their overall influence at the EGM to 4.4% and spokesman Chris Graham is delighted with the response of supporters so far.

He said: "We would like to thank the fans once again for their support in removing this board. We very much appreciate they faith they have placed in us to ensure their vote counts.

"We are still taking proxies until Saturday 28th and would ask fans not to be complacent despite recent good news.

"Proxies are still being received in their hundreds and we will update again on Monday 2nd March.

"It is vital that if you have a vote you use it. We will endeavour to register any proxies received after that date but cannot guarantee they will be processed. "

The news that Easdale had quit his position on the Ibrox board was warmly welcomed by the Light Blue legions yesterday as their dreams of regime change seemingly took another step forward.

The King alliance are bullish about their chances of EGM success as he, Murray and Gilligan bid to force a boardroom overhaul.

Supporters have spent months venting their fury at the controversial hierarchy but Graham insists there will be no complacency as the finishing line draws nearer.

He said: "It is good that the Easdale brothers have finally given the supporters something to celebrate.

"We want the removal of all the board members. We are pleased that James Easdale has gone but obviously there is still a job to be done.

"There are still three directors on the plc board and his brother still sits on the Football Board.

"It is a battle won but the war isn't won yet. We need to keep focusing on removing the rest of the board."

If King, Murray and Gilligan are to be successful in overthrowing the Gers board, the votes of supporters are likely to be prove crucial in getting their power bid over the line.

Thousands of fans have signed up to play their part in recent weeks and RF spokesman Ricki Neill is confident their momentum can be maintained ahead of Friday's shareholder showdown.

He said: "Rangers First continues to grow every day and this increased shareholding of 2.25% plus proxies for another 0.7% shows the fans have a genuine voice at last.

"Our organisation has gone from strength to strength in recent months and to smash the 12,000 members mark, as Dave King highlighted, really is an incredible achievement.

"I have no doubt Rangers First will keep progressing and we will continue to encourage supporters to sign up as we will have an important role to play in the rebuilding of our club.

"We also note James Easdale has resigned from the Board of Rangers Football Club today and, as we previously announced, our members will vote in favour of Dave King's resolutions at the General Meeting."