Rangers announced yesterday morning that James Easdale had resigned from the board with immediate effect.

The statement to the London Stock Exchange read: “Rangers announces that James Easdale has resigned from the boards of the company and Rangers Football Club Limited with immediate effect.”

Former Rangers director Dave King had called for an EGM to remove the current board, including Easdale, and with the real threat of being shown the door next week it looks as though he has jumped before being pushed.

However, Easdale claimed that even if he had succeeded in securing the votes to stay on the board, it would have been a hollow victory without the fans’ support.

Easdale said: “After what the fans have been through with previous owners and managements it is hardly surprising they are heartily sick of the whole affair and they now seek another way forward.

“I drew great comfort from the shareholder votes in my favour at the AGM on December 22 — almost 90 per cent — however it was clear that this cut little ice with the fans who attended Ibrox on that day.

“However, I personally feel to remain on the board even after securing shareholder backing once more, would be a hollow victory for me without the fans’ support to help the club go forward.

He added: “I want to see Rangers flourish again with both fans and shareholders working in harmony. To help achieve that objective, I think it is in the best interests of the club that I step aside and resign from the board of Rangers FC.

Critics of the current Rangers board celebrated Easdale’s departure, with one fan on a prominent supporters site commenting: “One RAT exterminated now for the rest.”