Partnership is the best way forward for Rangers

For a while it seemed like people were queuing up to take money out of Rangers. Now we have them queuing up to put it in.

And that, at least, has to be good news.

I think one of the things that has confused people since the club went into meltdown in 2012 is the question of why this club cannot attract the right people to bail it out of trouble? Rangers are, after all, an institution. They are a Scottish icon, part of the country’s culture and heritage.

In the same way football fans everywhere followed Fiorentina’s journey through Italy’s divisions, so news of Rangers’ ascent from administration has captured the attention of those who love the game thousands of miles away. All of which makes them a major sporting brand and major sporting brands have a large market value.

We have all long since suspected that was the case, and now with the emergence of the £20-million bid from American entrepreneur Robert Sarver, we know it to be true.

It is a huge amount of money, as was his initial offer of £18-million.

When considered alongside the news of separate investments from Dave King, Douglas Park’s Three Bears consortium and even German football legend Felix Magath, it demonstrates a general appreciation that this is a club worth putting money into.

Given the Board’s recent admissions about the desperate need for working capital and Lewis Macleod’s sale to Brentford demonstrated just how dire the need was that is heartening. Especially now when promotion to the top flight this year can no longer be taken for granted. What is key is that care is taken to make sure the future of Rangers is put in the right hands.

Fans rightly want assurances that, after all they have been through, their club is being put into the hands of someone who has its long-term best interests at heart. In the case of Sarver, we just don’t know that. Not yet anyway.

The best solution for Rangers is, I remain convinced, for a partnership to control the club. I say that as someone who was involved there at a high level in the dark days of 2012.

We didn’t know the full story of exactly where the money from a successful share issue went, and I am not convinced we ever will. So it is vital the future is safeguarded.

All logic suggests that people with a proven background of supporting the club should have a major say, if not be in put complete charge of affairs. Likewise the risk should be spread so the future does not hang on the whim of any one individual, no matter how wealthy.

I appreciate that might not be easy because people at the very top can be accustomed to doing things their way. Men like Mike Ashley, Dave King and, I would imagine, Robert Sarver will want a big say in the future direction of the Light Blues.

A way must be found, though, to get them working together in pursuit of a common goal. If any one individual is unprepared to do that, the others should be prepared to let them walk away.

For others, the evidence now supports, will be found.