Ian Hart, the former Rangers director, believes the new Ibrox board will survive a shareholders' rebellion and finally bring stability to the club.
Hart was speaking for the first time since resigning as an Ibrox director last month. The arrivals of new chairman David Somers, chief executive Graham Wallace and non executive director Norman Crighton have taken some fans by surprise. But Hart said he thinks the appointments will restore the club.
"Rangers needed freshness, a new start in the boardroom and they have now got that," said Hart. "I think the club have a settled board with some strong individuals getting involved. In guys like David Somers and Graham Wallace, some capable individuals with impressive CVs have come to Ibrox. The club's boardroom has the quality to take Rangers forward."
All three - Somers, Wallace and Crighton - are due to endure a shareholders' vote of confidence at the club AGM on December 19. The so-called "Requisitioners" led by Paul Murray and Malcolm Murray are hoping to trigger a further boardroom shake-up by having four new directors - both Murrays among them - installed.
Hart said he believes the current directors will win the vote.
"I've heard it said that, in the Ibrox boardroom, you must have 'Rangers men' in there - I just don't buy this," he added. "Yes, of course you want people with a feel for the club and with Rangers knowledge. But you also need professionalism and I think this new board has that in abundance.
"Some important decisions will be made at the AGM and I think the new board will survive. I think the institutions, especially, will think their Rangers investments are secure with guys like Somers, Wallace and Crighton. They seem pretty impressive."
Hart, a lifelong Rangers fan, said he also believes directors James and Sandy Easdale are good for the club.
"In all my dealings with the Easdales I have found them to be pretty sound guys," said Hart. "They always struck me as wanting the best for Rangers. I always got the impression that James and Sandy were there to get Rangers back to the top, and that they were in it for the club, not for their own pockets.
"I'm not interested in their past history. You take people as you find them. My experience of the Easdales is that Rangers fans should trust them."
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