CLUB 1872 have demanded an explanation from Rangers after the champions signed up to a controversial Australian trip alongside Old Firm rivals Celtic.

The Hoops confirmed on Tuesday that they would take part in a four-team tournament in November as boss Ange Postecoglou gets set to return to his homeland.

Two A-League sides - Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC - will also take part as Rangers get seat to head Down Under during the Premiership break for the Qatar World Cup.

Fans have reacted with widespread anger at the decision from the Ibrox board and key shareholders Club 1872 have now taken up the issue with managing director Stewart Robertson.

A Club 1872 spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Club 1872 has written to Stewart Roberson today to seek an explanation for this decision by the Executive and PLC Boards of Rangers Football Club.

“Regardless of the fee involved, alienating a significant portion of your supporter base cannot be seen as a sound commercial decision.

"Furthermore, the way in which this entire episode has been communicated to supporters once again highlights a lack of genuine supporter engagement, which has been replaced in the last two years by saturated marketing activity.

"Supporters remain, by far, the largest contributors to Rangers’ financial health and the Rangers Executives and PLC board would do well to remember that.”