Peter Grant shares Rangers ‘Major Blow’ in Mike Ashley verdict
Rangers have witnessed constant fragmentation across the hierarchy in recent years and fans have had enough.
The support base at Ibrox have reached the end of their tether with what they are seeing on the pitch in comparison to rivals Celtic, and with the disjointed way some issues have been approached by senior figures.
The disconnect between the board and the fans appears to be growing larger by the week despite a relatively controlled Rangers AGM back in December which was expected to be far more explosive than it turned out.
Rangers should have pursued Mike Ashley deal says Grant
Rangers should have gone all out to reach an agreement with Mike Ashley to buy a controlling stake at Ibrox, according to Peter Grant.
The former Celtic and Scotland man, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (13 February), acknowledged his admission would be met with discontent from Gers fans but is adamant Ashley would have invested adequately to ensure success.
Controversial former Newcastle United owner Ashley held a shareholding at Rangers between 2014 and 2017, during which time he antagonised supporters with plans to use the stadium as security for a £10million loan, later selling his entire shares to Julian Wolhardt and Club 1872.
Some years later, Gers had to pay Ashley £8.25million to settle a dispute over the third-party sale of replica kits with his company Sports Direct (Daily Record).
“The biggest thing – and this will not go down well with Rangers fans – is that they didn’t like Mike Ashley, because everything he touched became a success at some level,” Grant said.
“He’d have provided the finances to make the club successful. I don’t know the background of it all, but [from a Celtic perspective] I was glad he didn’t become a [significant] part of Rangers.
“Fans don’t realise how successful he was in his business, and it was a major blow for them [not to acquire him].”
Rangers may not afford to sack Philippe Clement
The financial implications involved with sacking Philippe Clement – something for which fans have called from the rooftops for some time – are likely to be the primary reason he has been backed by the board.
Patrick Stewart publicly gave his support to the Belgian in a statement which lowered his standing in the eyes of many fans in Govan, and pundits across the media who believed it was a “cop-out”.
Rangers could afford to axe Clement really, but it would have a domino effect. Whether they could then go out and get the adequate replacement to properly improve the team’s performance by spending compensation is an issue.
The pay-off for Clement itself appears to be a sum the board would rather put to one side, too. But at what long-term cost? Aside from the Europa League – which admittedly Rangers have overachieved in within recent years with the superb run in 2022 – there is absolutely nothing left to fight for.
All that can be salvaged from the domestic season is to build a team around some of the exciting young players flourishing from the academy setup at Ibrox, though realistically it is unlikely to be Clement who reaps the rewards from that practice in years to come.