The posturing is at least now all but over at Ibrox.

Events during last weekend and into Monday brought matters to a head, and meant decisions had to start being made.

Craig Mather's departure is a consequence of that, since the chief executive would have understood that there was no future for him at the club whatever the result of the forthcoming annual general meeting.

What is at stake now is the stability and future governance of Rangers.

First, there was confirmation last Saturday that Mather had held talks with Dave King, the former Ibrox director, about returning to the club as chairman.

Then, last Monday, Rangers lost a Court of Session hearing brought by a group of disgruntled shareholders whose valid nominations for four new directors to be appointed was incorrectly left out of the AGM notice sent to shareholders.

With King's popularity among the fans, individual wealth, business expertise and long-standing commitment to the club, there was suddenly a credible alternative to the contest between two groups of shareholders.

The only doubt was whether or not his appointment would be welcomed by James and Sandy Easdale, who own or have a proxy for almost 25% of the shares and sit on the plc and football club boards respectively.

The Court of Session ruling meant that the AGM could no longer be stalled and with the vote so tight between the Easdales' backing and the support for the shareholdings proposing that Paul Murray, Malcolm Murray, Scott Murdoch and Alex Wilson join the board, decisions really needed to be made.

For now, the onus lies on the RIFC nominated advisor (Nomad), Daniel Stewart, to bring some order to the situation. Under Aim regulations, the plc can continue to operate with just two directors - the non-executive James Easdale and the finance director and company secretary, Brian Stockbridge - but that is not sustainable.

The RIFC board has the power to bring in a new chief executive or chairman, but approval would need to be sought from the shareholders or the appointments would just be overturned at the afgm. For that reason alone, credible candidates are unlikely to consider taking either role while uncertainty continues to be entrenched.

AIM will monitor the situation, but suspending the shares is an available option if they believe that the Nomad has not adequately ensured "the efficacy of the board as a whole for the company's needs".

Horsetrading is all that is left. There have been discussions between the Easdale and Paul Murray camps, while King remains willing and able to bring his expertise and wherewithal to the situation at Ibrox. It is understood that the Easdales have no desire to run Rangers on a day-to-day basis, but they will not want to weaken their position in the boardroom. Stockbridge is currently thought to have the backing of the Easdales, although the fans have been voluble in their disdain for him.

The supporters want King and Murray, the Easdales want to remain in place. But can agreement be reached? The alternative is a crisis for Rangers, since the Nomad will have failed to address the boardroom issues and the AGM will be required to bring the situation to a close.