There has been a new drama almost every other day for Rangers this summer with Philippe Clement probably wondering what he got himself into.
The manager has had to deal with several squad issues and a net spend of around £6m isn’t the rebuild that he had in mind when he first replaced Michael Beale.
What doesn’t help the Gers boss, is that there is no chairman, CEO or academy director and Dave King fears that, unless something is done quickly, the gap to Celtic is only going to get bigger.
Dave King eyeing Rangers return to close Celtic gap
King has openly said that he wants to return to the club to sort things out and, speaking to Talksport, knows what is needed:
“It needs someone to come in quickly, it needs someone with institutional experience.”
When asked by Jim White if he agreed with Graeme Souness’ opinion that the gap to Celtic isn’t that big on the pitch, King disagreed:
“I think there is a very significant gap on and off the pitch to Celtic just now.”
By giving Clement a new contract, there appears to be a long-term plan on the pitch with a new player trading model and younger squad.
King is right though, the club is rudderless without elite level operators in key positions and progress is impossible without them.
When asked when King was next coming to Scotland, the biggest Rangers shareholder said:
“It depends how things proceed over the next few days.”
King explains what he would do if he made Rangers return
It sounds like King is on his way back in an official capacity, as largest shareholder, he is protecting his investment, however, getting the club back on track will be his priority, as reported by The Rangers Review:
“We need to go and find other investors and bring them into the club. And I think that’s what we plan for the next two years.
“I’d be willing to do it. Yes, I would. I understand what’s involved. I’ll come in, stabilise it, get the right people in place, get the club working properly, at least give it direction, give it a plan.
“But part of that will be for me to find new investors who will come in and make a significant investment in the club.”
Rangers need experience and they need stability.
King is capable of delivering both.
Adrian Bevington appears to be a safe pair of hands for the CEO role given his 20 years with the FA and, at the very least, is well connected throughout the footballing world – he would get Rangers back on the map in that regard.
As Rangers proved last season, even with a lengthy injury list, stability and consistency can be achieved if Clement is given a chance.
This time last year, the gap seemed insurmountable and yet Rangers overtook Celtic.
King’s job now is to provide the stability so that Clement can do it again.
