Davie Provan has given Mark Warburton some home truths into life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl.
After buying into the dream of taking the title from Celtic Warbo has had to reassess his ambitions after less than a dozen games in the top flight.
Mentioning Celtic’s bigger budget at every opportunity seems to be providing a level of comfort as the former city trader attempts to deflect attention away from his disastrous summer spending spree.
Last week Warbo started to talk about building the right structure within the from the Academy up but Provan knows the realities of playing and managing in the city.
With the pressure on, with his decisions being questioned the magic hat has looked vulnerable up against time served opponents rather than last season’s Championship cannon fodder.
Many managers don’t get a second attempt at winning the league title regardless of the work that they put in at grass-root level.
Writing in The Sun Provan recalled: “I once asked Martin O’Neill how the Celtic youth system was performing, he looked at me as if I was mad, saying: “If I lose my next three games, I’ll be out of here with my P45.”
“First-team results are all that matter. Warburton’s job is to make Rangers as good as they can be and right now he’s coming up short.
“I don’t buy the idea that Celtic’s resurgence has made his job more difficult. He’s never been expected to finish above Celtic this season. But with the second-biggest chequebook in the country he should be seeing off Aberdeen and Hearts.
“Both Graeme Souness and Ally McCoist were batting for Warburton this week.
“That’s what football people do. They watch each other’s back but Souey’s claim that Mark’s task is mission impossible doesn’t wash. Most Gers punters would settle for second place and that shouldn’t be beyond a club of Rangers means.
“Put it this way, Derek McInnes and Robbie Neilson would give their eye teeth for Warburton’s budget. Mind you, both have shown a better feel for the transfer market than the Ibrox gaffer.”
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