Danny Rohl's fallout with James Tavernier could "come back to haunt him" if Rangers don't start the new season strongly.
That's the view of former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness who believes the German still has the backing of the support.
Rohl and the former club captain had a public disagreement before the final home game of last season against Hibs with Rohl picking Tavernier as a substitute despite an apparent promise to start the defender.
Tavernier initially refused to show for the game at Ibrox before performing a U-turn and collecting a tribute before kick-off.
But Wyness reckons that debacle may have hurt Rohl in the long-term - despite showing him stamping his authority - as he has "used up a life" as boss. Rangers fell out of title contention following the split which also hurt Rohl.
And Wyness is sure the Tavernier issue may also have cost him long-term grace with the fans if things don't pan out as they hope.
"There was a fallout with Rohl, and yet I think the Rangers fans can accept the fact that a manager has got to stamp his authority, and he has shown that he's going to do that," he told Football Insider.
"Whether he may regret the way he did that is something else and I think it will mean that he's got to start the season quickly because he's used up one of his lives in terms of that fight with Tavernier.
"It's certainly a managerial life used, and they don't have nine like cats, I think they have three or four, and to use up your kudos with the fans is always dangerous, but I think at the moment he has the backing of the fans.
"Rangers want to be up there challenging, but he's got to do that right from the start of next season, otherwise suddenly the Tavernier incident will come back to haunt him."
