Six league victories in a row for Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has been extremely welcome. What’s significant in that run is the wins at Livi, Hibs and Hearts, which are as tough as any trips this league has to offer, arguably didn’t look likely just six weeks ago. December was always going to be the month of all months as the fixture list looked the most challenging.
The response from the team has been brilliant.
With just two more games in December to negotiate against St Mirren and Aberdeen, Rangers could end the month accumulating ten league victories on the bounce if they pick up maximum points in the remaining monthly fixtures. Performances have been better but victory on Saturday past looked like a squad that needed the midweek break this week affords them.
Not bad form at all and two victories would guarantee Rangers would be top come the winter break, regardless of what we do in the Old Firm. That’s a massive incentive for a side who have had huge injury and management turmoil to come through, how many teams lose their League winning manager and get stronger as a result?
It’s testament to the players strength of character that we remain in a good position and there is no doubt we have responded to the new manager very well. Players have got a collective and individual boost with some performing very well indeed. Morelos, Barisic, Aribo, Kent, Bassey to name but a few, have kicked on and really helped the team. Others haven’t managed to find a consistent sparkle quite yet but everyone will have given the manager food for thought as January approaches.
I expect some transfer activity as the window opens and if form of individuals continues, I think some teams will approach us looking to make a deal. With that comes the opportunity to freshen the squad and perhaps rebalance things as we do have a squad that is carrying perhaps one or two who won’t ever make the grade here.
To do that we might have to lose a top player to have funds and that is a model we have to kick in at some point. Teams will be looking at the likes of Aribo, Hagi, Kamara and Patterson so it will be a huge early test for Gio as he will undoubtedly know of a player or two he will want, so I expect an interesting month in January.
Rangers have to also be careful.
Ross Wilson has some business to attend too with Kent, Aribo and Morelos all out of contract in 2023. As that becomes closer we can’t afford for another Goldson situation and that would be disastrous. Ross Wilson passed the management situation very well with a quick and productive appointment in Gio but this is arguably just as big.
We cannot afford any slips especially with assets as big as those mentioned coming out of contract. Valuations will be dropping and we have to sit those players down and ascertain their plans as quickly as possible.
So as ever at Ibrox there is interesting times ahead. We wouldn’t have it any other way would we?
First thing first however is winning the final three games before the break, starting Boxing day with St Mirren. Football is back on an edge with Covid and our situation can change at any time, so we simply have to take it game by game and get our points on the board.
The response to Gio has been excellent and let’s hope that continues to grow under him, three big wins could leave us in a hugely promising position and one that would make us difficult to stop.
I was shocked to find out that Dave King was looking to return to the Rangers board. I didn’t think that was a possibility at all with him actively looking to sell his shareholding and there is a lot of questions surrounding the whole thing. It wasn’t a bad shock, more of a surprise because I thought his time, by his own admission, was over.
First of all, what Dave King done for Rangers should never be forgotten and his place in our history is secured as one of the most important figures at one of our most important times. We should always be grateful for that intervention because if he hadn’t wrestled the club away then the consequences could have been disastrous.
King will always have his place, 55 was as much his legacy as anyone. So privately for him to be in a position to help Rangers again is a great thing for him and one we would be foolish not to consider as a club. He still has a huge shareholding after all.
However, with that there is some questions for me and ones which are possibly fair to consider.
Is he now keeping his shareholding?
Is he looking to reinvest?
Is he happy to work with this current board? (He has publicly voted against Graeme Park’s re-election)
He previously mentioned he was leaving the club in the safest of hands, has things changed and in turn should we know what they are?
If he returned what would his immediate priorities be?
If the board resist his proposal will he gracefully allow them to continue and take a back seat?
If it is as simple as his situation has changed and he’s looking to return to aid the club, then fantastic. A strong Dave King working with this current board can only be a good thing, if they are all on the same level together.
As a fan I’d like to hear exactly why Dave King has taken this step and what his immediate intentions are. I think this would help settle any questions there might be surrounding his potential return.
I’m always thankful and supportive of the current board and those previously on it, from Dave King to Paul Murray and beyond. Everyone has helped guide this club back to where we belong.
Staying there and having a harmonious club is most important. A potential power struggle played out in the papers is something that doesn’t benefit anyone. That worries me because so far releases to papers etc haven’t been without questions.
However, a return of King intent on taking Rangers on again financially and with this current board is an exciting prospect.
A Public boardroom struggle is not.
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Four Lads Had A Dream 