DAVE KING has offered to cover the costs of Rangers withdrawing from the controversial Sydney Super Cup and given the under-fire Ibrox board a route out of the Australian trip.

Supporters have staged a series of high-profile protests against the Light Blues hierarchy in recent weeks after it was confirmed the champions will head down under in November.

The tournament will host the first ever Old Firm fixture to be staged outside of Glasgow and also include A-League sides Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.

Reports Down Under earlier this month cast doubt over the competition but furious fans ramped up their show of dissent by interrupting the Premiership win over Dundee on three occasions by throwing streamers and tennis balls onto the pitch.

The Aussie trip could be worth around £3million to Rangers and Herald and Times Sport understands former chairman King has now offered to cover the costs should the Ibrox board find a way to pull out of the Super Cup and attempt to save face with a disgruntled fanbase.

The move from King will increase pressure on chairman Douglas Park and his directors and executive team to withdraw from the competition now that the financial implication of doing could be covered by the man that replaced as chairman two years ago.

James Bisgrove, the Rangers commercial director, attempted to justify the trip in a club TV interview last month as he highlighted the benefits to the bottom line of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side heading to Oz and taking on their Old Firm rivals.

Bisgrove said: “To put some context around this, we’ve spoken before and Stewart Robertson has spoken before about the broadcasting and media values here in Scotland and the club’s view on that has been well documented.

"The participation in this event over eight days will benefit the club to the same level as an entire season in the SPFL Premiership for two friendly games.

“So when we talk about wanting to maximise the commercial potential of this football club we felt this was an opportunity that really helps us to achieve that ambition.

“We have spoken before about this season being one we can achieve a very high revenue target commercially.

"We have spoken about this at the AGM around the £27.9m which is far higher than we have ever achieved before and this is another step to allow us to maximise some of that potential as a club."