Speaking on BBC Sportsound on Saturday afternoon, controversial pundit, Michael Stewart, has expressed his surprise at Dave King’s decision to step down as Rangers chairman amid the current global pandemic.
King has long planned to relinquish his position, making his intentions clear during November’s AGM.
He has admitted that he did consider staying on to guide the club through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak but that he eventually deemed that impractical having been pressed into self-isolation in South Africa [Glasgow Live].
Douglas Park has been appointed as interim chairman [Rangers.co.uk].
Stewart has suggested it was a risky decision to make such a big change amid uncertain times.
“I know it is within the four-month period he spoke about, but these are unprecedented times,” he said on BBC Sportsound.
“I would have thought, expected, the leaders to have stayed to try to see through this period.
“The baton has been passed to Douglas Park and John Bennett and credit to them for taking it up but I am surprised that there has been this change from Dave King at this moment in time I have to say.”
Verdict
Stewart is never one to shy away from criticism, and perhaps there’s an element of fair comment here.
It is somewhat surprising to see King step down at this moment, with such uncertainty surrounding Scottish and world football.
However, given all that the outgoing chairman has done for Rangers over the years, many Bears will argue that he’s earned the right to step aside whenever he sees fit.
Clearly, King’s personal circumstances in South Africa played a role in his decision, and it’s not as though the reigns have been handed to a total newcomer.
Park has been around the club for many years and already has a deep understanding of how it operates, therefore, the risk element is a lot lower than had an insider been granted the position.
