RANGERS fans have been urged to keep up their boycott of official merchandise – despite the latest twist in the tale with Sports Direct.

The Ibrox board have served notice on Rangers Retail Limited to terminate the Intellectual Property Licence and Rights Agreement with immediate effect.

The move prevents any merchandise with Rangers’ trademarks, such as the famous club crest, being sold and comes after Rangers had previously triggered a seven-year notice period to sever ties with Sports Direct.

RRL is jointly owned by Rangers and Mike Ashley’s firm and controls the Light Blues’ merchandise streams, but the commercial contracts that were signed during the Charles Green era have left fans furious at the cash the club receive from retail sales.

A Rangers statement read: “The Rangers Football Club Limited has today served notice on Rangers Retail Limited terminating the IP Licence and Rights Agreement with that company with immediate effect.

“The Club now needs to speak to its commercial partners to agree the next steps flowing from the termination and will make no further comment on this matter whilst discussions are ongoing.

“The Club will endeavour to communicate further with its supporters and customers for Rangers Kit and other Rangers products as soon as it is in a position to do so.”

Puma, who manufacture Rangers’ official kits, declined to comment when approached by SportTimes last night, while no reply was received from Sports Direct.

Rangers will now hold key discussions with a range of partners as Ashley considers his next move in what has become a lengthy battle with the Ibrox board.

And Craig Houston of the Sons of Struth has urged supporters to stand firm in their boycott until the situation is fully resolved.

He told SportTimes: “If you walk into the Superstore just now or buy online just now then that still doesn’t help the club. Fans need to be aware that it hasn’t changed.

“Ashley will not take the signs down today. He will spin this out for as long as he can, so anybody buying anything right now won’t help Rangers.

“I think the most important aspect of the whole statement was the last paragraph. The club will update supporters when they can.

“If that is not a hint from the board as to what they wish Rangers supporters to do then I am shocked and surprised.

“I am sure fans will read the situation for themselves. This is certainly not an end to this situation and I would hope fans take that on board.

“Nothing has changed. Yes, Rangers are trying to get things back in order but, today, if you buy merchandise, your money goes to Ashley.

“If you do that, you are not supporting the club and nothing has changed in terms of the boycott at this time.”