Rangers are on the verge of ending Celtic’s long period of domestic dominance
Rangers are potentially just four games away from ending Celtic’s hopes of winning 10-in-a-row, but not so long ago such a prospect looked far-fetched.
Less than five years ago Rangers weren’t even even in the Scottish Premiership, and in 2012 plied their trade in the country’s fourth tier.
Dave King became chairman in 2015, and has seen the club progress to the point that they stand on the verge of becoming champions.
The 65-year-old stood down last year, and has been reflecting on the club’s journey towards what looks like being their first league title since 2011.
Speaking on The Gallant Few podcast, he admitted that he feared Celtic would achieve unprecedented dominance in Scottish football that would span decades.
He said: “I was really watching the situation from afar.
“The club was in very dire circumstances. We were struggling at Championship level, never mind challenging for the Premiership title. We were actually struggling to get out of the Championship.
“Mike Ashley and the Easdale (James and Sandy) axis had this sort of vice-like grip on the club and its finances to the extent that it was absolutely clear if there wasn’t some kind of intervention Rangers would never be a competing club in Scotland again.
“I viewed it as being extremely dire – to the point that Scotland would become a one team country. Celtic could have lifted 20 titles in a row, 30 titles in a row, never mind 10.
“There was just no prospect of any other club challenging them because they didn’t have the resources.
“Rangers was the only club because of their inherent level of support, but the club was being strangled because of the Ashleys and the Easdales, for personal interest.
“I was watching this and I was continually surprised or bemused by the inability of the various consortiums that were put together within Scotland, by supporters groups.
“They were well-intended in terms of taking control of the club, but they lacked the financial muscle needed.
“The key was trying to get a backer in there who had some money behind him.
“It really just got the point where the situation was so desperate I thought: ‘Our club could actually be gone’.
“It got to a point where I thought: ‘No, I really have to do something about this’.”
Steven Gerrard’s side, who are currently 18 points clear in the Premiership, are next in action on Thursday when they face Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.
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