Dave King and Graeme Souness are two very important figures in the story of Rangers, for two very different reasons.
Ex-Rangers manager Souness transformed the club’s fortunes on the pitch in the 90s, kickstarting 9IAR, and remains an influential figure at the club.
Dave King – who helped wrestle control of the club back into the hands of Rangers fans in 2015 – is often credited with helping pave the foundations of the club’s fight back post-2012.
The South Africa-based businessman is also the club’s largest individual shareholder.
But despite their legendary status at Ibrox, Dave King has had some choice words for Graeme Souness this week.
Dave King criticises Graeme Souness
Speaking in the Rangers Review, King has openly criticised Graeme Souness for going public about his desire to bring Frank Lampard to the club.
The legendary former Gers boss claimed back in October that Lampard was his preferred candidate because of his greater understanding of the culture of the West of Scotland.
Claiming that the ex-Chelsea midfielder’s wife also had a hand in his choice, Souness had been asked to take on an advisory role as the club looked to appoint a new manager.
Obviously, the job would eventually go to Philippe Clement and Dave King reckons Graeme Souness shouldn’t have said anything.
It comes with King explaining that he, just like everyone else, is simply an avid supporter of the club.
Ex-Rangers chairman “just like any other supporter”
“I watch every single game,” said King. “I watch on RangersTV wherever I am, I can access it all over the world. I watch all of the games.
“There are certain games that are on ESPN and all the European games are shown in South Africa so I don’t miss anything. It is good.
“It is nice to have some of the frustrations that the supporters have without knowing what the answers are to some of my own questions. What is happening with the transfer policy? Why can’t we keep guys on the pitch? We improved the squad to try and narrow the gap and then the guys aren’t getting any playing time. Is it recruitment? Is it medical? I am just like any other supporter in that sense.
“I must say I didn’t know much about the manager. Graeme Souness’ comment didn’t necessarily help by saying he would have gone for [Frank] Lampard. If you think that, keep it in house, you don’t have to go and announce it to everybody. My view overall is one of being more positive about it.”
Philippe Clement has settled into life at Rangers very nicely and after lifting the League Cup is well placed to go and try to lift a treble at Ibrox.
Frank Lampard, meanwhile, is still without a job and was only this week the subject of an April Fools gag about potentially taking the Aberdeen job.
