Former Rangers striker Rod Wallace has called on the Ibrox board to back Steven Gerrard and sign the "two or three" quality players he reckons they need to win the title.
Wallace is still a popular figure among the Ibrox support after becoming a surprise free transfer signing in the days of Dick Advocaat.
In three goal-laden years in Govan, he scored 41 times in 78 games including the winner in the 1999 Scottish Cup Final with Celtic.
And the 50-year-old reckons the Ibrox club are on the verge of something very special if they can push the boat out and back their manager.
He told The Sunday Post: “Steven Gerrard is definitely on the right track, but he needs more help.
“I know it’s difficult because of Covid-19, but the Ibrox board needs to try to find him the funds to bring in two or three more quality players.
“That could be the difference between Rangers winning the league and losing it.
“Money doesn’t cure everything and guarantees you absolutely nothing. But it does give you a better chance of getting it right.
“Jermain Defoe is there and he is total quality. He will be desperate to get back playing again for Rangers.
“He will look to get his sharpness back and his eye right in. He will score goals and create many chances for his team-mates.
“Nobody is certain yet what the future may hold for Alfredo Morelos. Steven may look to see if the right bid comes in and that will increase the amount he has to spend.
“But will he be able to bring in someone better than Alfredo, who will score 20 goals? That’s the big question.
“Whatever happens, I hope Rangers do it. It’s a massive season. It doesn’t come much bigger than this.”
Wallace has also been buoyed by English football's response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the way the senseless murder of George Floyd has prompted people to face up and discuss inequalities in society.
While Scottish football hasn't had the chance to register its support yet on the pitch, he hopes that returning players will take the knee to send a message of solidarity.
He said: “Scottish football hasn’t had the opportunity to do things in public because the restrictions around football are still in place, and the games are not scheduled to start for another five weeks.
“But I sincerely hope that they take the lead from what has been going on in England, and do the right thing.
“A starting point would be taking a knee in support of BLM. That would send out another powerful and meaningful message from Scotland, to go alongside what we’ve seen in other countries."
Such a message would be meaningful to Wallace who revealed he faced racist abuse within Scottish stadiums when he turned out for Rangers between 1998 and 2001.
He said: “When I played in Scotland for three years, I only had a couple of instances of racial abuse.
“There were one or two shouts at one or two of the stadiums – but there was nothing I would describe as really upsetting to me.
“That said, I accept that any form of racial abuse is unacceptable, and no black players should be subjected to it.
“If just one word is out of place, then it’s totally out of order.
“But, back then, you just tried to shut off your mind and ears to it all and concentrate on the football.
“It’s different now, however, because people seem to be serious about making changes."
