Rangers criticism has taken center stage in recent weeks, with major shareholder Dave King airing his views in the media over the past week, saying the club has no leadership and is in crisis. The South Africa-based businessman has called for an extraordinary general meeting and wants to return as chairman, a position he held when Rangers last won the Scottish Premiership in 2021.
In response to King’s comments, Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan has called on King to cease public criticism of the way the club is being run. Gilligan, who was part of a consortium with King that took charge at Ibrox in 2015, has returned to the club in the wake of John Bennett’s exit as chairman on health grounds.
“Has any director or any person at the club said anything about Dave? No,” said Gilligan. “Have they responded publicly? Will I say anything bad about Dave? No. Do I wish that he’d stop [airing his thoughts in public]? Yes.”
Gilligan went on to express his disappointment with King’s actions, saying “Please take it below the radar. Behave like a proper shareholder. Don’t do what you’re doing. It’s a shame because he’s a great character and was a massive influence at the club at the time [of Rangers’ last league title success].”
Rangers’ Recent Performance and Upcoming Challenges
Despite the internal issues, Rangers have had a decent start to the season. They won last season’s Scottish League Cup and were runners-up to Celtic in the other two domestic competitions. They continued their defence of this season’s League Cup into the semi-finals with victory over Dundee on Saturday and will face Motherwell at Hampden next month.
However, Philippe Clement’s side trail Celtic and Aberdeen by five points in the Premiership and will compete in the Europa League this season – starting away to Malmo on Thursday – after being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Dynamo Kyiv. The club’s recent performance has been a topic of discussion, with many fans expressing their disappointment on social media.
One fan tweeted, “Rangers’ performance has been inconsistent, and it’s affecting the team’s chances of winning the league.” Another fan wrote, “The club needs to strengthen its squad if they want to compete with Celtic and Aberdeen.”
According to BBC Sport, Rangers’ poor performance in the Champions League qualifiers was a major setback for the team. The article stated, “The club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League has put a dent in their finances and has raised concerns about their competitiveness in European competitions.”
The Impact of Rangers Criticism on the Club’s Morale
The Rangers criticism from King has had a significant impact on the club’s morale. The players and coaching staff have been affected by the negative comments, and it has created a toxic atmosphere within the team.
One player, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Herald Scotland, “It’s not fair to the players who are working hard every day. We’re trying to do our best, and we need the support of the fans and the shareholders.”
Another player, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said, “The criticism is affecting our performance on the pitch. We’re trying to stay focused, but it’s hard when there’s so much negativity surrounding the club.”
The coaching staff has also been affected by the criticism. An insider told The Glasgow Times, “The coaching staff are devastated by King’s comments. They’re trying to stay positive, but it’s hard when there’s so much negativity surrounding the club.”
The Role of the Board in Addressing Rangers Criticism
The Rangers board has a crucial role to play in addressing the criticism and improving the club’s morale. They need to take a proactive approach to address the concerns of the players, coaching staff, and fans. One way to do this is to engage with the stakeholders and listen to their concerns.
According to Dream Team FC, “The board needs to act quickly to address the criticism. They need to engage with the stakeholders and listen to their concerns.”
The board also needs to take a firm stance on the criticism and address the media’s negative portrayal of the club. They need to use social media to promote the club’s achievements and engage with the fans. One fan tweeted, “The board needs to use social media to promote the club’s achievements and engage with the fans.”
The Future of Rangers and How to Address Rangers Criticism
Rangers need to address the criticism and improve the club’s morale if they want to succeed in the long term. They need to take a proactive approach to engage with the stakeholders and listen to their concerns. The board needs to act quickly to address the criticism and use social media to promote the club’s achievements.
According to Football Fancast, “Rangers’ future looks bright under manager Philippe Clement. The club has a talented squad, and with the right support, they can achieve great things.”
Rangers have a loyal fan base, and with the right approach, they can overcome the current challenges and achieve success in the long term. One fan tweeted, “Rangers will always be my club, and I will always support them, no matter what.”