Mark Hateley has challenged the Rangers ’ board to build on the solid foundations of their title success by providing backing to make Champions League football the norm again.
The former Ibrox hero says returning the club to the top of Scottish football must only be the start of the journey - not the end.
Steven Gerrard takes his side back into European football’s premier club competition for the first time in a decade next month knowing that they are two rounds from the £30m promised land of the group stage.
And Hateley - who was a key part of the Gers side that competed in the first ever Champions League 29 years ago when Leeds United were dumped home and away - says hitting that jackpot is key to where the club goes next.
He said: “The board and the people in charge just now have done terrific. They have brought in a figurehead in Steven, who oozes professionalism.
“That was seriously lacking at the football club under previous regimes.
“Now it has been injected back into the club at every level. Not just on the training side of it, but the business side too.
“The foundation is in place now. A very strong foundation.
“It’s about where you go with it now and how supportive the board become and how far they want to take this.
“Back in my day, winning the league took you to the Champions League and investment comes from Champions League football.
“That makes you stronger and stronger. That’s where we need to be.
“We have a core with experience over the last couple of years. They know what’s expected.
“Steven was on about trimming the squad to a smaller number with better quality, which I agree with 100 per cent.
“Of course there is also a balancing act because if you are going to go for this competition and that competition then you need people who can come in.
“We have a great foundation right now with some great players.
“You can see they have gone to international level and are lapping that up.”
One of those players is Alfredo Morelos who has just helped Colombia to the bronze medal in the Copa America.
The 25-year-old striker has struck 94 goals in four years at Ibrox and speculation is mounting over his future as he enters the final two years of his contract.
Hateley said: “Everybody has a number. Whether they have four years, six months or whatever left.
“There are probably nine players in the Rangers team that clubs could come for right now.
“I’m not going to put numbers on anyone’s head. It’s like selling a house. It’s about how much someone wants to pay for that house. If they want it badly enough they will pay for it.
“No-one is bigger than the football club. That’s been proven in successful times through the club’s history.
“If someone comes and the money is there, which can then be invested into the squad, that’s what we do.”
Mark Hateley was talking at the launch of ‘Going for 55’, the story of Rangers title victory and 10-year journey back to the top. Out now, priced at £17.99, the book includes contributions from Dave King, Paul Murray, John Gilligan, Ally McCoist.
