Alan Brazil: Rangers may not have seen the last of Mike Ashley

RANGERS are getting ready to put their off-field troubles behind them.

But I don’t think they’re anywhere near ready to do the same on the park.

When the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the Gers’ “Big Tax Case” on Wednesday, it will feel like a new beginning.

However the court rules, it will have no impact on the current owners.

The club’s former custodians will have to deal with it instead.

Dave King’s slate will remain clean – and I’ve got a wee feeling Sir David Murray might be pleased with the outcome, too.

HMRC have changed their minds so many times on EBTs and similar schemes – including the recent film investment scandal – that should “Oldco” Rangers be done for tax evasion, the precedent would cause havoc.

Either way, we will find out on Wednesday.

But once the verdict is delivered and the post-mortem has taken place, the major focus at Ibrox will become football once again.

The “Big Tax Case” will be in the past, just like Mike Ashley’s involvement at the club. So what will be left to discuss?

Easy – Pedro Caixinha and his team.

On the evidence of last Thursday night’s Europa League opener, the conversation could be an awkward one.

I spoke to Alex McLeish – the man I believe SHOULD have been Mark Warburton’s successor – on the morning of the game and we agreed it should have been a formality.

Progres Niederkorn hadn’t won a single European match in 12 attempts before arriving at Ibrox.

It’s now no wins from 13 for the minnows from Luxembourg – but by God Rangers were poor.

As far as I’m concerned, Gers fans can forget about challenging Celtic this season.

Unless they improve massively, they’ll be doing well to challenge Aberdeen.

In fact, they could even be staring down the barrel of an utterly humiliating European exit before the domestic season begins.

For Caixinha, Thursday night wasn’t good.

But I’m a fair man, he was the guy appointed by Dave King, and he should be given time to get things going.

With Mike Ashley gone, King’s position looks, at least on the surface, like it has been strengthened.

The majority of Gers fans certainly seem to be pleased with their chairman.

Yet I’m not entirely convinced we have seen the last of Ashley at Ibrox.

Mike is a businessman and, at the moment, he has got bigger fish to fry. I think it is as simple as that.

Newcastle United require his attention, with Rafa Benitez demanding more cash to help land players for their Premier League return.

He needs to devote his attention to the St James’ Park club instead of battling in Glasgow.

He has taken a decision to cash in on his Gers interest.

But despite his fractious relationship with Dave King, I know there are people with major Ibrox connections who think Ashley may be somebody worth staying close to.

That’s one for the future.

In the meantime, it’s all about Pedro Caixinha, his team and the season ahead.

First task – beat Progres Niederkorn to prove they’re making progress.