Mark Warburton has confirmed that there will be no January spending spree to catch up with Celtic.
Two comprehensive defeats to Brendan Rodgers’ side have burst the bubble of close season optimism that surrounded Ibrox as the marquee signings rolled in to shift season tickets.
Last season’s Scottish Cup victory on penalty kicks over Ronny Deila’s side sent expectation levels through the roof but in the top flight Sevco look little better than mid-table material.
Absentee owner Dave King is keeping a low profile following his promises over ‘over-investment’ and ‘whatever it takes’ to stop Celtic marching towards 10-in-a-row.
Warburton squandered fortunes during the summer bringing in Joey Barton, Niko Kranjcar and Joe Garner to bolster his title bid with no obvious reward from that trio of recruits.
With no sign of the club accounts for the year to June 2016 the financial situation at Ibrox is open to speculation with Warbo warning 40,000 season ticket holders that there will be no fresh faces coming in when the January transfer window opens.
EBT recipient Graeme Souness led the predictable demand for more money to be spent but with the company on their uppers it’s Warbo that needs to deal with the reality of watching Celtic from afar.
“We know the gap is there,” Warbo said today in a phrase that wasn’t heard during the campaign to sell season tickets. “But what is also important is the target setting so we know what we have to do in what time frame in what gap.
“The worst thing we could do is not build strong foundations here, and from the chairman and the board down the club is very clear what we have to do.
“I guess Graeme (Souness) is acknowledging the gap with his experience. It has to be shorter period (than five years) in my opinion. I’m not ignoring Graeme’s opinion but our job has to move quicker.
“Would the Rangers fans accept five years? I don’t think so. I hope they know we’re on a project and on a road. Hopefully we’re making good progress down that road, but they need to see that progress.”
Trailing in 20 points behind Celtic and trophyless in May are unlikely to help shift season tickets next summer with Warbo, who used to work as a city trader, now finding some of his transfer decisions being questioned.
CLICK HERE for Sutton tears Warbo’s excuses apart.
CLICK HERE for summer signing pictured at Hampden
CLICK HERE for the bizarre Sevco comfort blanket.