DAVE KING has not struck a deal with the board ...

but he has not backed down in his fight for Rangers, either.

Dave has returned to South Africa having failed to reach an agreement on his £16million investment plan, but I don't think we have heard or seen the last of him.

His statement last night made for interesting reading and laid out the state of play at Ibrox after days of talks with, firstly, Graham Wallace and David Somers then, earlier this week, Sandy Easdale.

The big surprise for me was that Mike Ashley is claimed to have turned down the chance to speak with Dave while he was back in the UK.

That says to me that he wants to do things on his own and must have his own plans for Rangers. As yet, we don't know what they are. Mike now has to come up with the money to see Rangers through.

I've said many times in this column that Dave had to put up or shut up. Well, he has put up, and then some. Now it's Mike's turn to put up or shut up. We need to know what he is prepared to do for Rangers.

It is sad he doesn't want to speak to Dave. That tells me the two can't work together.

If that is the case, Mike has to come up with the money as the fans will not be happy that Dave, Paul Murray, George Letham and others have not had their deal accepted.

Dave has come out fighting and put his cards on the table. He won't go away. Last week I spoke about the light at the end of the tunnel and, while that is still there with Dave on the scene, we don't appear to be any nearer to a conclusion.

Dave has given his version, now we must hear from the board in the next few days.

I have said from day one that Dave King should be welcomed back to Rangers. The club needs someone like him involved and on the board and I am sure the fans will be gutted if this proposal does ultimately lead nowhere.

Rangers need money and the board are willing to turn Dave and his group away. It doesn't make sense and the fans won't stand for it.

I think that the majority of supporters would want to see Dave in at Rangers and the board must provide answers as to why a deal hasn't been done.

Dave is very keen for this to be agreed, as are the fans, and they deserve better than more months of uncertainty.

Dave highlighted the importance of the block of shares that Sandy Easdale has control over. Fans are entitled to know why they have not approved this plan. Are they going to put the money in?

HOW can you turn down an offer when you are struggling financially and £16m is on the table? It doesn't make sense.

What is Ashley going to do for Rangers? What are the shareholders behind Blue Pitch and Margarita going to do for Rangers?

I can't see why anyone at the club would not want Dave King involved. We know that he will invest heavily but what will the other side do? I am in no doubt that a large percentage of the shareholders would back Dave's plans for Rangers but, unfortunately, the ones that have the biggest say at the moment do not.

The board will need to take in everything Dave has said and discuss it. They have to give us their side and their plans now. After failing to agree on this offer the board have to come up with an alternative. And the answers better be good.

The most important thing here is Rangers Football Club.

Everyone involved must remember that.

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