All of this comes before we get round to what becomes of the enigmas Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo as well
I have a friend who sits in the rear section of the Copland Road stand at Ibrox.
The view he got from there in the season now ended – once he got his seat back after the temporary residency at Hampden caused by a building plan malfunction – was distorted by disaster on the park.
None greater than the Scottish Cup humiliation at the hands of Queen’s Park.
That day Rangers recorded what was arguably the worst result in the club’s history by losing to the only goal of the game against the Championship side.
That embarrassing elimination was among a series of home truths delivered about the state of the team under Philippe Clement’s management, eventually resulting in the Belgian’s inevitable dismissal.
Random disappointments followed while my season-ticket holding friend’s team was under the temporary charge of Barry Ferguson.
Losing at home to what might be described as lesser opposition continued to be a destructive problem for Rangers in the Premiership.
But hope springs eternal in football, so when it came time to renew his season ticket, or reject the offer, my friend didn’t buy one.
He bought two of them. Even though the cost had gone up from £500 a pop to £600.
Hard-working guy. His disposable income. None of my business.
But only in football can a club inflict such misery on their paying customers – then charge them even more than before to come back, on the basis that things might be better in the season that follows.
There was a 17-point gap between Rangers and their greatest rivals, Celtic, on the final day of the league season.
It suggests the presence of a gap which will take some time to fill in.
But, in reality, is that actually the case?
The way Celtic lost the Scottish Cup Final to Aberdeen in May suggested to me that cracks have started to appear in Brendan Rodgers’ squad,.
The manager’s activity on the transfer front since then has not fully addressed the problem.
Only time will tell if the addition of Kieran Tierney on a free transfer from Arsenal – and the awaited loss of Greg Taylor, now out of contract at Celtic Park – will ultimately enhance or reduce the quality of Rodgers’ squad.
Ross Doohan might have been first pick for Scotland against Liechtenstein on Monday afternoon but he’ll be third choice if the keeper completes his move from Pittodrie to the league champions.
And Fulham youngster Callum Osmand comes into the category of one for the future and not one from the off once the training compensation fee has been paid for him.
The fixture list for the new season will be out on Friday morning.
Then, if you listen carefully, you’ll be able to hear the sound of Celtic fans impatiently drumming their fingers while waiting for the bank to be broken on some summer signings.
Taylor is, presumably, on the move. Meanwhile, Jota is sadly lost to the game for the foreseeable future due to injury.
And there arequestion marks against the names of players such as Auston Trusty, Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate where their short-term future is concerned.
All of this comes before we get round to what becomes of the enigmas Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo as well. Rangers won more points than Celtic in the four Old Firm derbies last season.
There was a time when that fact alone would have guaranteed them a league title win.
And those days could return if the newly-upholstered Rangers, financed by the recently-installed 49ers Enterprises, give Russell Martin the kind of financial backing he’s going to need to tip the balance of power in Glasgow.
If they do, and the manager still fails to remove Celtic from their perch at the top of the table, then he’ll be out the door quicker than you can say “unfit for purpose”.
But these are the days when everyone, on both sides of the divide, gets the benefit of the doubt.
A state of affairs which traditionally lasts until game one of the new season is played. After that, you’re on your own.
And those Celtic and Rangers supporters now paying a significantly higher rate for their season books will reserve the right to exercise an upgraded degree of scrutiny where their team is concerned.
You have been warned.
