Former Rangers chairman Dave King offers to cover £3million shortfall if under-fire Ibrox board pull out of Sydney Super Cup

Dave King has offered to cover the £3million shortfall in Rangers accounts if the club find a way to tear up their lucrative deal to take part in the Sydney Super Cup.

The former Ibrox chairman made his pledge to the under-fire board last weekend as the latest high-profile fan protests against the proposed Old Firm ‘friendly’ match in Australia spilled onto the pitch during Sunday’s Premiership match against Dundee at Dens Park.

The game was repeatedly interrupted as disgruntled fans launched streamers and tennis balls onto the pitch, forcing referee Bobby Madden into making four stoppages.

King has now offered his services to cover any losses incurred should Rangers withdraw from the four-team tournament scheduled for later this year, including the costs of a potential legal bill for breaching a contract signed with the event’s organisers.

It remains unclear whether King has enquired about re-claim a seat on the Gers board in return for his cash offer after previously having one request for a boardroom return turned down earlier this year.

The South African-based businessman has a rocky relationship with chairman Douglas Park and the current hierarchy since stepping down from his role two years ago.

GlasgowWorld reported King returned to Glasgow last month and had to watch the Light Blues 2-2 draw with Motherwell from a hospitality suit after he was denied access to the club’s directors’ box.

Tension between the board and disgruntled supporters continues to escalate with shareholders Club 1872, who are believed to still have close links with King, releasing a statement which branded Gers executives as ‘incompetent’ and bullies.

Rangers offered a quick response by publishing a statement of their own in which it threatened to hit back at a ‘rump’ of rebel supporters at the end of the season.

That has led King to wade into the row by providing a financial solution, which will increase the pressure on Park and his directors to pull out from the competition.

Commercial director, James Bisgrove attempted to justify the trip in an interview with Rangers TV last month but reports Down Under have cast doubt over the tournament.