IT is hardly the most important issue on the agenda at Rangers, but that whole, sorry business about the painting of the "New Pioneers" was quite illuminating in addition to being decidedly embarrassing.
The fact that a previous board felt it appropriate to commission the work to commemorate the capture of the old Third Division is bad enough. There has already been too much in the way of celebration around Ibrox over a club with the second-highest wage bill in Scottish football capturing a two-bob tournament contested by part-timers.
More concerning is the fact that the current custodians, ushered into power amid great fanfare in March and disconcertingly quiet since, considered it a good idea to go ahead with hanging it above the sacred ground of the marble staircase in the foyer of the stadium.
Wasn't the great selling point of Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan that they are supporters, in tune with the wishes and thoughts of the fanbase?
Sure, the offending picture was up and down faster than the old Rangers share price with an official statement branding it all a terrible misunderstanding, but it was a clear misjudgment that made them look out of step.
What seemed to upset bluenoses most was the individuals pictured being compared directly to the Gallant Pioneers, the four young men who founded the club in 1872. Lee McCulloch, still captain, now finds himself being jeered by his own followers on matchdays while the featured goalkeeper, Neil Alexander, took Rangers to court to reclaim
£84,000 of unpaid wages.
Of course, the fact this universally unpopular piece featured Ally McCoist in a prominent position says something too. There was once a time when it would have been unthinkable for a likeness of Rangers' all-time record goalscorer to be removed from public view so brutally.
Rangers supporters cherish McCoist the player. They still have love for McCoist the man, as witnessed through the applause reserved for him on his return to Ibrox to see King oust the previous, hated regime at an EGM two months ago.
There is considerably less demand for public reminders of McCoist, the manager, though. He won two lower league titles, but his record in cup competitions was abysmal and he constructed a side on inflated wages that proved wholly incapable of competing in the SPFL Championship.
Of course, he continues to collect around £14,000-a-week as a result of being out on gardening leave following his resignation in November.
With the power base having now changed, this is a situation that surely has to end.
"Pioneergate" showed there is a desire to excise McCoist's time as manager from memory and that cannot happen while he continues to pick up his £750,000-a-year salary. His reputation within Ibrox remains intact for now, but it is in danger of being tarnished the longer this drags on.
Likewise, the board have to start showing they are willing to take assertive action on something, anything. This is the perfect place to start. There is an urgent need to reach a settlement with McCoist. The status quo is making everyone look bad.
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