As a club, Rangers have done well over the last few months to keep tight-lipped about any outlandish predictions ahead of the new season. However, manager Steven Gerrard has been thrown needless pressure after chairman Dave King released a statement on his views of the upcoming season.
It was a statement designed to update supporters of a variety of off-field issues such as the Takeover Panel and the current situation with Sports Direct. However, King has spoken about how Rangers’ defensive frailties will “be much reduced in the coming season thanks to the efforts of Mark (Allen) and Steven in the transfer market”.
King also claimed this team will “continue to improve which makes me more relaxed for this coming season than I have been for any regime change.”
The predictions are a needless part of what is a morale-boosting message for the Rangers supporters. It also puts Gerrard under pressure from King’s statement, with the added weight of having to now make the chairman’s predictions come true on his shoulders. Added to the fact that King has most likely barely seen any of Rangers’ new signings in the past, they are claims the manager could do without.
This isn’t the first time the chairman has come out and given bold predictions. Just 12 months ago he claimed that Rangers would “certainly be more competitive after our work in the transfer market” after Pedro Caixinha’s summer overhaul.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
King’s timing has also been questioned at times. Comments made before the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic last season with regards to Graeme Murty’s future could’ve been better planned, having thrown the interim manager’s future in doubt days before a crucial match.
Ranges will be looking to continue their positive start to the campaign when they take on either FC Petrocub of Moldova or Croatian outfit Osijek in the Europa League second qualifying round next week.