Three of the four columns are built on eyebrows. Not the last one as a demolition job for the Rangers.
During his respective lectures at the Virtual AGM on Tuesday, the terminology and clarity of the pillars were used by both managing director Stewart Robertson and deputy chairman John Bennett.
Regardless of their sound status this time around last year – given the progress Rangers have made in and out of the park, it is not surprising that the messages, how they were delivered and received, were very positive as shareholders and supporters Overseeing the interview section including contributions from Douglas Park, Ross Wilson, manager Steven Gerrard and James Bisgrove.
The first ‘pillar’ the Rangers use for reference is their supporters. Especially this season, the financial picture on Ibrox will be blurred if fans don’t put up such a significant number of stumps for tickets they can never use.
Number two is related to commercial income. It is an area that is way behind the need to stay in the first few years after the regime change and now only after dealing with Cast with Rangers is capitalizing on their brand and maximizing their revenue through merchants.
The third issue is European football. Gerard has been discussed here and the three consecutive group stage performances, and the back-to-back qualification for the knockout round, have been invaluable at all levels of Ibrox.
And this is where the fourth and final column comes to the Rangers ’attention. Player trading is the ultimate part of Jigsaw in business terms.
No one wants to see Gerard’s key men and most trusted operators out the door, but instead realizes what the Rangers are like right now from a football and financial standpoint.
For the first time in a long time, the Rangers have assets that they can cash in if needed.
But, decisively, they will only do so at a time and at a price that owes them constant investment and improved income streams from wealthy supporters.
Bennett has put the cost of the rebuild at about 65 65 million so far, as wealthy men around the world have entered their own pockets to raise funds for jobs.
It will, of course, not be able to move forward forever and the Rangers are now close to a point of self-sustainability. As part of that model, they must buy and sell at the right time.
What Gardard has assembled would be invaluable as a collective if the Rangers really go ahead and lift the term Premiership title and secure their place in the history books forever.
Personally, they are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them. But, those figures don’t have to be the first to be on the table.
The fact that Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are still on the eyebrows is because the Rangers prefer not to deal with Leeds United and Lille, respectively, this summer.
“One thing is clear we don’t want to sell them at values that don’t reflect their full and fair value and you saw last year that bidding for our players,” Bennett said in an address to shareholders. “Our assessment is reflective. And if that is the case, we will make a decision.
“While player trading is an important fourth pillar of our model Dell, we have not found ourselves in a position where we have to sell to validate the model. That is not the case.
“Yes, it has been a deficit fund going forward but we are very lucky to have loyal investors. There has been a deliberate strategy to move the investment forward to ensure that we are not in a position to evaluate our players.
“Again you saw that last year and we won’t accept that.”
That’s the thing when the Rangers start selling some part of this squad and it will turn into a mindset from the supporters.
Most will agree with this model in theory, but it is difficult to accept when they have become fond of the head for the exit door and moving forward.
Given what Gerard currently describes as a ‘sound’ around Glenn Kamara, it seems likely he may be one of the exits. If it does, the Rangers January price is that they paid 50,000 50,000 in January last year on January 50,000.
The investment in Kent will pay off, while Morelos will return a healthy period. Like the likes of Borna Beresic and Connor Goldson, they should be willing to say goodbye.
The Rangers are now in a position of strength in terms of both the assets they have and the hand they can play in negotiating with the operators.
It would be surprising if a big name was allowed to drop in January. It’s a lot of risk for the Rangers to take that risk.
Summers will be very different but Robertson and Bennett’s acknowledgments are not a pre-warning of selling fire and a warning of widespread exit from eyebrows.
The work done by Gerrard and his staff is appreciated as the team has many desirable players and Gerrard will see the evolution of the group next term as he enters in charge of his fourth campaign.
Success planning is an important aspect of the work that Wilson, the sporting director of eBrooks, does and it is to sell and reinvest the Rangers and prove that the model and setup they expect and need is done.
A title win at this position would be the final confirmation that the Rangers are back where they are. The fourth pillar will then allow them to form from a position of strength.
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