Sir Kenny Dalglish: Douglas Park’s exit is a shock but Rangers need to focus on issues on the pitch

I was surprised at the timing of Douglas Park’s decision to stand down as Rangers chairman.

I would have thought it would have been better to walk away at the end of the season.

However, Douglas will have his reasons, and they must be respected.

He is a long time out of short trousers, and he’ll know exactly what he is doing.

Of course, whatever happens at a football club’s hierarchy is important – but it’s about what happens on the field that really dictates the flow.

Stability is vital, and some Rangers fans feel there is not enough of that right now at their football club.

In Michael Beale, they have a manager who has delivered fairly well in his first few months in charge.

There has been a steady improvement, and that has to go up another notch next season.

Rangers gave a spirited display at Celtic Park yesterday, but still lost the game.

So now they must retain the Scottish Cup and be ready to mount a proper challenge to Celtic over 38 games in the Premiership.

© Alan Harvey / SNS Group

The manager, staff and players need to be fully focused, and ready to do their jobs.

What happens off the field, and in the boardroom, won’t be of too much concern to them.

It really shouldn’t have any impact on what happens when they are out there playing competitive games.

However, it is always best to have unity and a collective spirit, from the boardroom, to the dressing room and in the stands inside the stadium.

There is also the need to improve the squad, and doing that will give Rangers a better chance of toppling Celtic.

However, as I’ve written many times, it can’t be denied that Celtic seem to be in a really good place right now.

In Ange Postecoglou they have a superb manager and a squad that is very strong.

And, financially, they have a solid balance sheet that allows them plenty of flexibility in the transfer market, should they need it.