Sports Direct talks key to future success of Rangers

But I would hope he is a reasonable man, too, and appreciates the benefits to his businesses of not falling out with too many people.

The Sports Direct tycoon has certainly done that at Newcastle United, where disgruntled fans are continuing to protest about his controversial ownership.

I would like to think, then, that he wants to avoid similar conflicts with the other football clubs he has financial ties with.

It would be good if his uneasy alliance with Rangers, who have opened talks with their shareholder this week, could be addressed.

Because both Rangers and Sports Direct can get the benefit from having an agreement they both profit from.

Dave King certainly expressed optimism this could happen after he and his allies seized power at an EGM at Ibrox last month.

By all accounts, early discussions between Ashley and directors John Gilligan and Paul Murray have been "amic-able". It is a good start to what will be an important dialogue.

Both parties have to sit down and discuss matters calmly and professionally. That is the only way out of the situation the club is in.

At the moment, the Rangers supporters are very uneasy about the alleged deal Sports Direct have with the club.

They need to know there is an agreement in place that means Rangers benefit significantly whenever they part with their money and buy official merchandise.

If that is not the case - and it has been suggested that for every £10 spent on merchandise only 75p goes into the club coffers - then that has to be changed.

It isn't at all surprising the fans aren't parting with their hard-earned cash while there is uncertainty over the future.

By all accounts, Ashley has arranged the deal so that if Rangers fans don't buy the merchandise the club have to buy it back off them.

He has had his own men on the board at Rangers in the past arranging things that appeared to be in the best interests of the Englishman and his chain of stores.

It was an unsatisfactory state of affairs that had to come to an end. But I would like to think they can all sit down and say: "What is the best for everybody here?"

Rangers should be reasonable and knowing Paul Murray and John Gilligan, the directors who are representing the Glasgow club in negotiations, I am sure they will be.

There can't be any of the nonsense that has gone on in the past. They have to be sensible and reach some kind of compromise.

Rangers owe Ashley £5million after he gave them another loan back in January. He has security over every club asset except the stadium as a result.

There were some alarming stories about the billionaire owning the badges and the trademarks outright earlier this month. But those fears have been laid to rest.

Yet, paying off that loan is also crucial to Rangers to enable the club to move forward.

As I say, the Rangers directors and Ashley and his representatives have to sit down and discuss how they all move forward from here.

Dave King being appointed as the club chairman and taking up a place on the board again is also vital for the future of Rangers.

Dave King and Paul Murray have been the two of the most important figures in getting Rangers back into the right hands. More than 85 per cent of shareholders voted them into power at an EGM back in March.

Of course, King has to satisfy the SFA's fit and proper person criteria and, at the moment, he is supplying the governing body with all of the answers and information they are requesting.

But I could understand why both John Brown and Walter Smith expressed hope that he would be cleared to take over this week. Lord Woolman cleared oldco director King to take up a place on the newco board at the Court of Session earlier this month.

I think that was the correct decision. The only reason he stayed on the board after Craig Whyte took over back in 2011 was because he knew he was a wrong 'un!

The independent board committee warned Sir David Murray not to sell to Whyte and questioned the prospective owner's ability to finance his promises.

I think Dave knew they were on the road to rack and ruin. But the guidelines the SFA have about who can and cannot serve on a board are different.

Dave, though, has done the right thing by declining to take up his chairmanship. He is doing everything by the book and is going through the proper procedures.

If he isn't cleared by the governing body then I don't think it will change his plans for the future much or alter how Rangers progress from here.

Having him appointed chairman would, as reaching some sort of amicable agreement with Mike Ashley, be a huge step in the right direction.

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