Dave King insists Rangers have always supported Gerrard
Former Rangers chairman Dave King has admitted he is surprised after Steven Gerrard suggested he has not been backed enough to challenge in Europe.
Having failed to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, the Bears boss insists the club have to spend more to have any chance of genuinely competing on the continent.
Rangers are struggling in the Europa League and have lost their opening two group games to Lyon and Sparta Prague, and Gerrard claimed after the last defeat that his side have not spent a penny in the last two windows [Rangers TV].
King is not having any of it, though, insisting the Light Blues manager has always gotten the full backing of the club.
He told the Club 1872 members (via the Daily Record): “I wasn’t aware of Steven’s comment in that regard and I am a little surprised by it. I think obviously context of the comment would perhaps make a difference.
“I think that question might be related more to Europe and it is really positioning the club and saying that without heavy expenses in a transfer window it is going to be difficult to make progress in Europe. I think particularly if there were ambitions this year for the Champions League.
“If you look at what we know to be true, I think Steven has placed on record his support to the board for supporting him in the transfer window.
“My understanding is that he does recognise that he has been supported, but he is making more a comment that if we are going to make progress in the Champions League we need to start finding other ways to attract players.”
Telling
Gerrard knows the exact quality needed to have a chance of realistically competing against the big boys in Europe.
He won the Champions League as a player and was a regular in the elite competition.
The Rangers boss clearly does not get a lot of confidence that his team can go toe-to-toe with their challengers in the Europa League when he looks at his current squad.
The Scottish Premiership giants have made some shrewd additions recently and have done well to retain their key players in the summer.
However, it is simply not enough if they want to be playing Champions League football again and advancing in the knock-out stages of the Europa League.
Given the level of their financial capabilities, it is hard to see Rangers splash the type of cash needed to compete at that level.
Nevertheless, they have to do more and keep supporting their manager if they want to encourage him to remain at Ibrox for the time being.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has suggested that Bears man will join PL side should offer arrive.