Dave King continues fight to end Sports Direct partnership

Rangers chairman Dave King has vowed to continue fighting Sports Direct in the courts after revealing the club had served notice to end their retail partnership.

The announcement came a day after Mike Ashley's sportswear firm dropped a breach-of-confidentiality claim against Rangers.

King was earlier cleared of contempt of court following an allegation by the Newcastle owner, whose legal fight has now been taken to the Scottish Football Association in a Court of Session dispute over his punishment for breaching rules over dual influence.

The club board recently raised £5m through shareholders to pay off a loan from Sports Direct, whose owner Ashley holds a nine per cent stake in Rangers and had several allies on the board before King's consortium took over last March.

After outlining recent investments in the playing squad, training ground and stadium, King said in a statement: "A further unanticipated investment was made to pay off the Sports Direct loan and to recover all security held by Sports Direct.

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"That has now been completed and the club has formally given notice to end the relationship with Sports Direct while still reserving our right to proceed with challenges to the existing suite of contracts and side agreements in a court of law."

Sports Direct were ordered to pay legal costs estimated at £400,000 following its failed action at the High Court in London.