Rangers fans across the land spent yesterday diving into doorways and hiding in cupboards in a desperate bid to avoid a reminder of Saturday’s Parkhead humiliation from those gloating pals and grinning work-mates of a green and white persuasion.
But today as Celtic prepare to make their Champions League return, former Ibrox chairman Dave King believes those same Hoops supporters should be seeking out their rivals once more. But this time it’s not to rub bluenoses in their derby drubbing, but instead to offer thanks for the coefficient bonanza that has offered Ange Postecoglou’s side direct entry into UEFA’s premier tournament and tonight’s glamour clash with Real Madrid.
For ten of the last 11 years, the Premiership title has enjoyed virtually a permanent residence in the east end of Glasgow yet for all Celtic’s domestic dominance, success in Europe has proved out of reach. Their performances on the continent have been placed into sharp focus by Gers’ exploits abroad first under Steven Gerrard and now with Gio van Bronckhorst at the helm.
Against substantial odds, the Light Blues have not only reclaimed their former status as significant players on the European stage but also secured two Champions League slots for Scotland. Now for the first time since 2007, both Glasgow giants are lining up at the group-stage start line.
But King is adamant that only one team is responsible for this Scottish surge back into the Euro big time. “Was there ever a point where I doubted if Rangers might not reach the Champions League again?” pondered the South Africa-based former Ibrox supremo. “I was asked that question before about winning the league and I said at the time that I did think it was possible to win a title again.
“To then kick on from there and into the Champions League group stages, it wasn’t just what Rangers were doing, it was where the Scottish league would be positioned in terms of Champions League. I certainly wouldn’t have thought, with my most rose tinted glasses, that we could possibly ever have seen Rangers on its own, from where we were, carry Scotland forward into this position where we could get into the group stages.
“But we must recognise that Rangers did this. This is not a Scottish co-efficient, this is about Rangers dragging Scottish football up and itself up at the same time.
“It is not as if we were equipped to do what we did. We as a club have significantly over-achieved in Europe over the last couple of years.”
The culmination of that unlikely success abroad saw Rangers roar all the way to Seville for last season’s Europa League final, where only penalty kicks denied GVB’s team their status as Ibrox immortals. The Dutchman has now backed up that feat by guiding his team through two qualifiers to reach the promised land of the Champions League’s money-spinning sections, where they will face Ajax tomorrow night ahead of further alluring match-ups with Napoli and Liverpool.
The top tourney may be where the money is, but for King it’s only a worthwhile exercise if the big bucks are plunged back into the team that got you there - something the former chairman claims the men he left behind to run the club have so far failed to do.
The Castlemilk-born tycoon - who stepped down from the Gers board in March 2020 and has spent the time since sniping away in an increasingly bitter feud with the current board - replied when asked about his thoughts on Rangers’ return to UEFA’s top table: “Over the last little while, I have had two conflicting emotions about it.
“One is clearly the recognition of the club of where we were 10 years ago and being back to playing teams like Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax in the Champions League is an absolutely immense achievement from the club’s point of view," he said.
“In addition to that, the financial benefits are of immense importance to the club, if it is invested properly. Against that, I have to say I have got some thoughts back to last year and the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League qualifiers to then reach the Europa League final.
“It was a far more enjoyable European season for me playing at a level that I thought was competitive. We over-achieved in the Europa League, we got to the final and it was a great occasion for the club.
“It was almost the right level. I worry a little bit about this year.
“It’s fantastic, the recognition is fantastic and the money is fantastic. But that is only the case if it is invested back into the club, into the resources of the club.
“I’d imagine I’m like most supporters and the starting point every year is to win the league title. We can’t be optimistic about our chances of progress in the Champions League, but if we use that money wisely and invest it back into the team to secure the Premiership title I would be more comfortable.
“I'm just not sure. It will be interesting to see where we are. I have got mixed emotions. I like the honour, I like the prestige, I like what it has done for the club.
“But, having said that, the Europa League campaign probably did more for us than we would have achieved if we had got through to the group stages of the Champions League last season.
“To me, the Champions League is all about the money and the honour of playing against these big clubs. But as a supporter, my focus is still on winning titles and winning the Premiership.”
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