Rangers fans have had little to cheer about aside from a Europa League campaign that kept going despite the odds.
The inevitable sacking of Philippe Clement took longer than expected with the Belgian having more lives than a cat after a series of disastrous defeats.
The arrival of Kevin Thelwell as sporting director is something of a coup for Patrick Stewart given how good a job he did at Everton.
Add this to the San Francisco 49ers securing enough shares to complete the takeover of Rangers, and things are starting to look more positive.
The question is, can Rangers challenge next season?
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Can Rangers return to challenge Celtic next season?
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, Michael Grant of The Times thinks that thinks couldn’t really get any worse:
“So, I do think Rangers can certainly challenge, I mean, they could hardly challenge any worse than they have this season, you know,” said The Times’ Scottish football correspondent.
“It’s been pretty lamentable from them this season in the league and in the cups. But, you know, I think it’s too early to know, but I think certainly the American takeover has the potential to really boost their challenge to Celtic.”
Success on the pitch will never be secured without stability off it.
Last season is the perfect example.
What is the biggest hurdle Rangers need to overcome?
Due to the ineptitude of those in the boardroom, Rangers started the season playing games at Hampden.
There is no way of knowing, but playing a Champions League qualifier at Ibrox might have ended with a different result.
There was no sporting director, no academy director, the chairman resigned, the CEO had left and not been replaced and then the director of football operations also jumped ship.
How can a football club possibly move forward under those circumstances?
The biggest problem is, of course, the quality of the Rangers squad.
Money and the takeover by the 49ers wouldn’t be an instant solution, but it certainly wouldn’t be a hindrance either.
