text: Dave King has moved closer to becoming Rangers chairman after the Court of Session cleared him to return as a director of the club. And the South African-based businessman hopes yesterday’s decision will now convince the SFA to pass him as ‘fit and proper’ in the final stage of approval. King won around 85-per-cent shareholder backing to return to the Rangers boardroom at the club’s pivotal extraordinary general meeting last month, but has been holding off from taking up a post until he has cleared all regulatory barriers. Dave king is back on the Rangers board after being cleared by the Court of Session . Rangers players applaud as they leave the pitch following their 2-1 defeat of Hearts at the weekend . He required the consent of the court due to previously being a director in the Ibrox oldco which entered liquidation in 2012. ‘I am delighted that at a Court of Session hearing this morning before Lord Woolman my application to become a director of Rangers International Football Club PLC was granted,’ said King in a statement. ‘Today’s decision has removed the final legal hurdle for me to take up my role on the board following the overwhelming mandate at the EGM. ‘The previous board had raised a little known legal provision stating that because I was a director of Rangers oldco within 12 months of its liquidation that I must obtain court sanction before becoming a director of RIFC because the word “Rangers” is in both company names. ‘A court would not grant leave to an applicant unless it is satisfied that the circumstances warrant such approval. King (centre) celebrates success at the club's EGM alongside John Gilligan (left) and Paul Murray (right) ‘Any affected party, eg the liquidator or an aggrieved creditor of the previous company, has the right to be heard at such a hearing. ‘The liquidation of Rangers oldco and the formation of Rangers Newco were not conducted clandestinely but in the full glare of publicity. ‘However, being aware of the provision, I sought leave of the Court to accept my board appointment. ‘Hopefully, this endorsement will also provide the SFA with additional comfort to complete its consideration of my fit and proper status. ‘All Rangers supporters have suffered from the failure of full and proper corporate governance over the last four years. ‘I am anxious to play my part in ensuring that this is comprehensively remedied for present and future generations of Rangers supporters. ‘I have fully cooperated with the SFA over the last few weeks and thank them for the care and attention with which they have undertaken this task. ‘I must be the most scrutinised candidate in Scottish football history but accept this as being preferable to the lack of scrutiny that has been the case in Rangers recent past — and possibly other clubs. ‘I hope matters can be swiftly concluded now that, with the permission of the court, I can take up my role as a director of RIFC.’
target: Businessman has been cleared by Court of Session to become director .
  Dave King hopes SFA will pass him to take role as Ibrox chairman .
  King is the largest shareholder of the  former Scottish champions .