Former Sevco chairman Walter Smith believes that Mark Warburton needs a January war-chest to secure second place.
Smith walked away from the blue room of dignity in August 2013 after the second batch of season ticket money had poured into the tribute act.
Despite promises of investment ranging from £30m to £50m, so far, Dave King has only been able to raise a couple of emergency loans to keep the light on inside the big house.
Fresh loans are required in March to meet the wage bill meaning that Warbo will be rummaging around for loan deals to compete with Hearts and Aberdeen when the January transfer window opens.
The concept of building a sustainable club seems alien to Smith who has agreed that the #goingfor55 slogan is dead in the water before he gets his advent calendar out.
“Even the most fervent Rangers supporter would realistically admit that if Rangers finish second in the league – and towards the end of the season look as if they’re getting closer to Celtic – it would be acceptable,” the former chairman admitted.
“But next season, whatever happens, there will need to be a bigger challenge to Celtic. They’ll need a bigger push, which means trying to find investment. That’s where the club have a problem.
“There is no use being at Rangers saying it can’t be done. They know they’ve got to do it. Mark will know that.
“I don’t think he’ll accept finishing second but, realistically, that would be a good season for Rangers this year.”
With one third of the season gone Warbo’s side have won six matches and sit in third place behind Aberdeen.
Next Saturday Sevco can go into second place with a win away to Partick Thistle, Aberdeen are in action on Sunday when they can expect to pick up a cheque for over £700,000 for appearing in the Betfred Cup Final against Celtic.
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