Jambos’ revival points the way ahead for King at Rangers

Dave King is ready to pay Hearts the sincerest form of flattery.

Should he win his battle for control of Rangers this week, he will look to mirror the Tynecastle club’s rise from financial ruin off the pitch, and success on it.

The South African is expected to gain the majority of shareholders’ votes he needs to oust club Chief Executive Derek Lambias, Chairman David Somers and director Barry Leach at Friday’s EGM if not before.

There is a growing belief that the beleaguered Board may step aside before Friday, rather than have power removed from them publicly at an Ibrox EGM.

Either way, under the terms of his resolution, the coup will usher in former Blue Knight Paul Murray, businessman John Gilligan and King himself into the positions of power.

Director James Easdale has already gone, having resigned from the Board last week. Others, including his brother, Sandy, could soon follow suit.

King has the backing not only of the businessman known as the ‘Three Bears’ George Letham, George Taylor and Douglas Park but also, crucially, of the vast majority of the Ibrox giants’ support.

They know the quartet to be Rangers men, with strong emotional ties to the club.

It is understood King will take immediate steps to demonstrate that commitment by setting in motion plans to make the club financially viable for the future.

That will entail striking a working relationship with Mike Ashley, whose loans and commercial rights will ensure he remains a powerful figure at Ibrox.

But it will be the move to mimic, on a larger scale, what Hearts have done.

They have made light of a stringent financial shake up to romp away with the Championship. That will be of most significance to the Rangers fans, who have watched their side struggle all season, most recently in Friday night’s dismal 1-1 draw at Falkirk.

King’s plan will entail hammering down the cost structure to a level where it is affordable.

The squad will be slimmed down in the summer, and youth actively promoted with an eye to developing the top young Scottish talent the coaches believe is in place at Murray Park.

The management structure will also be looked at, with former Light Blues star Richard Gough in line for an overseer role similar to Craig Levein’s position at Hearts.

While he and King will look to recruit a top manager/first team coach such as the former Derby County boss Billy Davies in due course, it will be at a wage level way below that Ally McCoist currently enjoys whilst on gardening leave.

And top priority, too, will be given to engaging with the club’s support and getting them on board with the message that, though turning Rangers’ fortunes around will take time, it will be done.

Said a business insider last night: “Close studies have been made of what Hearts have done and it’s been seen what can be achieved.

“This was a club who came out of administration with a strong plan of how they wanted to go forward. They have done so with remarkable success.

“The belief is that if Rangers can get the right people in the positions of power people who are prepared to sort out the finances then there is no reason they should not do at least as well.

“Rangers are, after all, lucky enough to have a huge fan base, one that gives them a clear advantage over every other club in the country bar one.”