The Big Interview Derek Johnstone

“I just want Rangers to get back to being a football club.”

Derek Johnstone helped Rangers win their one and only European trophy.

That was the beginning of a successful time for the club, with two Trebles in three years confirming the Light Blues’ domestic domination.

Over 40 years on, DJ wants to see the club take massive steps back in that direction on Thursday with a successful conclusion to the eagerly-anticipated Annual General Meeting.

Ibrox will host what is expected to be the most-explosive AGM in the club’s history as the warring parties trying to gain control of the club go head-to-head.

For Johnstone, this has to be the point when the off-the-field problems finally end, and whatever faction is voted are allowed to finally take the club forward.

“In the past, Rangers supporters would look forward to the big European matches, both at Ibrox and abroad,” says the former striker.

“They’d also look forward to Cup Finals at Hampden, days when they would secure the title and also Old Firm games.

“Those were the sort of occasions they would have marked down in their diaries not an AGM.

“I think it tells you everything about the football club right now that such focus is on an occasion that, in years gone by, wouldn’t merit a mention.

“It has to get back to the way it was before. Football has to become the focus.”

Johnstone was fiercely critical of disgraced former owner, Craig Whyte, and he doesn’t have a good word to say about ex-Chief Executive Charles Green either for the state they left his beloved club in.

However, he believes there are good people currently in place at Ibrox, and also feels there are other good people aiming to join the Board.

“Ideally, they would all be able to work together,” says DJ. “I’m not so sure that will be possible, however.

“They might disagree on a lot, but the one thing they have in common, in my opinion, is they want to take the club forward.”

And, regardless of who finds themselves in a position of power and in the boardroom at the end of the AGM, the man who played a massive role in their European Cup-Winners’ Cup success in 1972 hopes they can get the fans on side.

“The supporters might not have as big a say at this AGM as they’d have liked, but they will have their time to express their feelings,” says Johnstone.

“Remember, Rangers have somewhere in the region of 38,000 season-ticket holders, and the money they put into the club is invaluable.

“I’ve already heard a suggestion that if the fans aren’t happy with what is happening behind the scenes, they might try to force change.

“I honestly don’t know if it will come to that. I hope not.

“Whatever Board members are in place the current ones or even some of the requisitioners I hope they can reassure the fans enough that such action is avoided and everyone is pulling in the right direction.”

For that to happen, Johnstone accepts answers must be provided.

There have been fears, and accusations, that Whyte and Green might still have some secret connection to the Ibrox club.

“I’d imagine any fans who are going along to the AGM would want to ask if those guys are involved in any shape or form, and also what happened to the money from the IPO of shares,” says DJ.

“Those are the obvious questions. Will it be stormy? I’d imagine it might be. Passions are running high.

“Rangers supporters want to see their club run properly after what has happened in recent years.

“And the people answering the questions have to be truthful. Under strict Stock Market rules, they have to provide answers that are 100% correct.

“As I say, I’m hoping once this is done and dusted it can be a fresh start. The team is moving forward well on the park. Hopefully the same can apply to off the park as well.”

One man the former Light Blues hero would like to see it all work out for more than anyone is manager Ally McCoist. Johnstone has enjoyed a close relationship with him since they played in the same side during his second stint at the club.

“There is a big, big part of me that would really love all the off-the-field problems to end for Ally’s sake,” he continues.

“He has had to put up with a great deal. He spent years working under Walter Smith to become the manager of Rangers, but he hasn’t been allowed to focus on that job.

“Every other manager concerns themselves with training, signing players and trying to win football matches.

“Ally has been embroiled in something nothing could have prepared him for. Even Walter wouldn’t have been ready for all of this.

“Ally spends more time having to talk about the off-the-field issues than he does his team and his players.”

As well as helping Rangers win the Cup-Winners’ Cup, Johnstone also helped the club win three League titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups.

He made 546 appearances in a Rangers jersey, and netted an incredible 210 goals.

Since hanging up his boots, he has attempted to go along to Ibrox as often as possible and he hopes the glory days will return.

“That’s what everyone involved with Rangers wants,” says Johnstone.

“And hopefully Thursday will be a big, big step towards that.”