Rangers fans to hold London summit with Laxey

Gers supporters are hoping to persuade Laxey Partners Limited to back the requisitioners' bid to be elected directors at the AGM next week. The Isle of Man-based hedge fund became the largest shareholders in the Glasgow giants last month when they bought another £1.3million stake.

Laxey now own 11.64% of Rangers International Football Club plc. And they are poised to increase that by buying a further two million shares from former chief executive Charles Green before the AGM on December 19.

Laxey have given their backing to the current board members throughout all of the off-field turmoil along with Blue Pitch and Margarita Holdings.

And their support could prevent Scott Murdoch, Malcolm Murray, Paul Murray and Alex Wilson from gaining control at the general meeting.

However, members of the London branch of the Rangers Supporters' Association will meet with representatives from Laxey tomorrow.

And they hope to convince them to reconsider their stance and help vote the group backed by wealthy businessman Jim McColl into power.

RSA general secretary Drew Roberton said: "The idea is to explain to Laxey in person the dissatisfaction among the Rangers supporters at the way the club is being run.

"It is a bit of U-turn on the part of Laxey agreeing to meet fans as previously they had no interest in doing so for whatever reason. Their attitude seems to have changed."

Laxey founder and director Colin Kingsnorth explained his reasons for backing the current board last month.

He said: "I want to support stability, so I think that means supporting all current directors.

"Shareholder worries are the use of cash, transparency and corporate governance. The recent appointments seem to address that."

Rangers supporters staged a red card protest at the SPFL League One game with Ayr United at Ibrox on Saturday.

And they are optimistic that demonstration - and the threat to "disengage with the club" - may bring about a change of heart.