Bill Leckie shares 'Catastrophic' Rangers verdict amid John Bennett Ibrox exit

John Bennett stepping down from his role as Rangers chairman could be "catastrophic" at Ibrox, Bill Leckie has said.

The Gers announced [14 September] that the 61-year-old has left his post due to health reasons, with former director John Gilligan filling the role temporarily until a replacement is appointed.

Despite the criticism during Bennett's time in charge, his decision has come as another setback this season after being knocked out of the Champions League and redevelopment delays at Ibrox.

Writing via The Scottish Sun on 15 September, Leckie said: "Let’s be honest. At 61, he was spinning more plates than a circus conjurer. He was doing just about every job bar managing the team and pulling on a pair of boots.

"Then, at 1 pm on Saturday, came the news that he was quitting because of ill health. And suddenly you wondered who was left in there to stop those plates crashing to the floor. Because if that happens a second time in their history, the result could be catastrophic."

Rangers suffer another blow as John Bennett walks away from Ibrox

While Bennett has received mixed reactions from the passionate fanbase at Ibrox, at the end of the day, he is just another lifelong supporter who wanted to help the Gers rediscover their former glory.

Philippe Clement and his team have struggled to hit the ground running, already five points behind the Hoops in the Scottish Premiership, and this is the last thing the Scottish giants needed.

It is understood, behind the scenes, that there are no immediate plans to find Bennett's successor [The Athletic], but with Leckie alluding to another collapse of the highest level, maybe there should be.

Fans at Ibrox have been burned once before, with the club entering financial difficulties during the 2000s and going into administration before being liquidated in 2012, leaving the supporters heartbroken.

While there is little to suggest this could happen again, losing Bennett could be a much bigger blow than some fans realise, so the club needs to find a replacement for him as soon as possible.

In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit mooted "big trouble" after a controversial moment v Dundee United.

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