Changing of Ibrox guard looks positive

Since Walter Smith is already grooming his successor, Ally McCoist, it is unlikely that the playing ethos at Ibrox will change - unless, of course, there is a significant improvement in the club's financial health and, consequently, its buying power.

This could be effected by the proposed purchase of the club by Craig Whyte, although attempts to conclude that particular business over the last two years have created an I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it scepticism among many fans. Even so, many supporters, some in excited, others in apprehensive anticipation of new ownership, are asking the question that arose among Celtic's followers in 1994, on the takeover of Fergus McCann: "How do you think this guy will do?"

Nobody except the projected buyer himself can have the remotest idea of his intentions or his prospects of improving the club's circumstances, but there are enough similarities with events at Celtic Park 16 years ago to offer the same responses. The first of which was that, whatever happened, McCann could not be any worse than the previous regime, who had taken Celtic to the brink of bankruptcy.

The other encouraging aspect of McCann's assuming control was that he would be on the premises, actually looking after his own money, literally making his investment work. This may not apply to Whyte, but the understanding that he will be lending his associate, Andrew Ellis, the money to take a 25 per cent stake in the business means that the latter, who will reportedly take an active part in running the club, will be doing so with a substantial personal interest.

These are sound reasons for optimism among Rangers' followers. Perhaps the most sobering side to the entire business, however, is that the change in the company's ownership and management has still to be formalised.