Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson lent his support yesterday to South African businessman Dave King gaining control of the Championship side, writes Andrew Muirhead.

King met Ibrox directors on Tuesday to continue talks over his £16 million bailout plan in which he would secure a 51 per cent stake through a new share issue.

Ferguson said: “It’s good to see somebody like Dave King, who’s been at the club and knows what it’s about, in talks.

“Ideally, somebody like him would come in but until it’s actually signed and sealed, we just don’t know. Until I see it in black and white, then you can only talk about it.

“I don’t think any Rangers ans ill e getting too excited right now. I’m the same as the vast majority.

“Until we see something happening, we can’t get excited because we have hit brick walls before.”

Despite interest from Sportsdirect billionaire Mike Ashley, who currently owns 10 per cent of Rangers, Ferguson believes King is the man for the job.

He added: “Mike Ashley has done a hell of a job at Newcastle but if you ask the majority of Rangers fans they would want a Rangers supporter to take over and that would be Dave King. He’s a Rangers fan and that’s what you want.”