Now that Rangers fans have no real say in the running of Rangers following the takeover last year, which saw AGMs formally scrapped, fans rely on a much more limited means by which to engage with the board. And that is, of course, the no longer demanded or entitled but nevertheless accepted fan advisory board, the FAB.
The Purpose Of The FAB
In simple terms, this was constructed some time ago by former Chief Executive James Bisgrove as a way to liaise with fans and to allow supporters full engagement with the board by having some kind of representative alongside the executives.
It has been of use in certain senses, whereby fans are able to get their thoughts across, but ultimately it has no real power. And now with the takeover, it certainly has absolutely none.
It is rather a token gesture.
With the new owners in place for some considerable time now, they offer this service to this day, but it is not really influential. In truth, it probably never has been.
They have meetings with the board, express their views, and then go home for dinner. That is generally the function and purpose, but it is at least a voice, even if it is not one which has huge influence.
FAB Concerns Over Rangers Squad
However, the minutes of the most recent meeting between the board and the FAB show distinctly strong wording from the Rangers support aimed directly at the board, who curiously have agreed with the assertions.
And there were two major assertions being made by the FAB in consequence to the now gone season.
The first major assertion is that players need to be financed, that there needs to be a massive, significant investment this summer in new talent.
It is considered by both the FAB and by the actual board that Rangers players just are not good enough. Put simply, the squad is poor.
It is not like we can exactly disagree with this one on Ibrox Noise at all. Very few would.
Danny Rohl Under Huge Pressure
The second one, however, is very dicey territory for Danny Rohl.
It is complete condemnation of his performance, deep concern regarding his conduct and performance as Rangers manager.
Of course, we have heard the stories and we have seen a lot of the meltdown that occurred over the last 5 to 10 matches. For the FAB to outright condemn the manager and categorically state that his performance was not up to scratch is a huge blow for Danny Rohl.
After Andrew Cavenagh backed Danny Rohl for continuing as manager, it nevertheless proves that there is huge dicey territory and thin ice for this coach.
His conduct has been poor, his performance even worse, especially in the last one month and the split.
We did have to laugh at something that we will raise later on regarding the top six. We will get to that in a separate one, but this was also mentioned by the FAB.
Ibrox Noise Remains Unconvinced
End result is that Rohl is under pressure. Huge pressure.
The FAB have announced that they are not happy with him, which we do believe represents now a great portion of the fan base, and the board agree that his performance was not up to scratch.
He does remain in post and will get the budget for next season.
Ibrox Noise has been definitively on record at disagreeing with this and considering it to be Russell Martin mark two, but we have no option but to simply watch and wait.
As we said with Russell Martin, all we can do is hope that we are wrong.
We do not back Rohl, we do not accept him.
All he can do if he stays in position is prove us wrong or indeed, sadly, right.
Time will tell on that one, but the FAB clearly have the same concerns.