ALLY McCOIST has been here before.
He has heard the talk and seen little action. He has witnessed a succession of characters climb the marble staircase and leave through the Ibrox back door. Promises have been made and broken; wounds have healed and have then torn open.
This time, though, it could be different for Rangers. This week, finally, Dave King, Graham Wallace, the Rangers chief executive, and chairman David Somers had a meeting which has been needed for weeks, if not months.
The King camp have Rangers' interests at heart and money on the table, while Mike Ashley's cards remain close to his chest and fans are still unconvinced about the motives of the Newcastle United owner.
The list of characters in the Rangers story is a long one, each having their own claim to infamy among supporters for their words and actions. McCoist has seen them all come and go and knows King, and Ashley in particular, will be under the spotlight.
"I think an awful lot of the fans have felt, rightly so, let down by previous people within the club," said the Rangers manager. "People who, let's just say, didn't really know what Rangers was all about or who potentially didn't care what Rangers was all about. So you can understand a lot of supporters leaning towards someone they have 100 per cent faith in, with the knowledge that they do care about the club.
"I can totally understand that given what's happened before. But I certainly think it would be wrong to prejudge anybody in that situation. I can totally understand the fans, though."
While boyhood Rangers supporter King is the fans' choice for the Ibrox throne, it is Ashley who could wield the power at Ibrox. Any investment made by King, and the likes of Paul Murray and George Letham, would be an emotional one. For Ashley, Rangers is strictly business.
King has made his pitch to the board already, while Ashley's plans for the future remain shrouded in mystery. The answers, from all concerned, must come quickly.
"It's very, very difficult, after the last three years, to be convinced by anybody," said McCoist. "But I am happy in the knowledge that both parties that are involved now have got serious potential investment. I don't think for a minute that either of them would be scared to use their money to take the club forward."
The amount required to make a difference at Ibrox is significant and whoever emerges victorious from this latest boardroom battle will need to have deep pockets. Rangers' cash reserves are running low, while income streams are hugely reduced.
Fresh funds are needed urgently. If none are found, McCoist knows the consequences could be severe. "It's safe to say investment is required," he said. "In the discussions I've had with Graham he's never hidden the fact somewhere down the line we'll need and require investment. I wouldn't dare put a timescale on it because that's not my job and I don't know what the timescale would be.
"But in terms of the team, in terms of Murray Park, the staff and Ibrox, I'd obviously like investment sooner rather than later. Further down the line there may be money made available for transfers which we feel will certainly be required but in terms of going out and getting the investment- or when it'll come - that's not my gig."
Wallace has extended an olive branch to King in a bid to get the South Africa-based businessman on board. But the chief executive faces the prospect of being the first high profile casualty of Ashley's power grab, with director Philip Nash also in the firing line. It is a situation that is far from ideal for McCoist.
"My relationship with Graham is great," McCoist said. "What would be concerning would obviously be that it would create uncertainty and instability again within the club with more changes at boardroom level. That wouldn't be ideal.
"But that's totally and 100 per cent outwith my control."
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