THE internet, social media in particular, can be pretty poisonous at times. But there are also occasions when the worldwide web can lift your spirits no end. Every now and again, it can be downright comedy gold.
Even Scottish football fans, a group not exactly renowned for their levity, cause you to laugh out loud once in a blue moon. A post on a thread on a popular Rangers supporters’ forum a while back certainly did that.
The brassed-off Bears on the message board were lamenting the state of their club and debating what needed to happen to turn things around – which is what they pretty much spend their time in cyberspace doing these days – when one of them referred to David Holmes.
Holmes is the former chairman and chief executive who, with the backing of Nevada-based businessman and major shareholder Lawrence Marlborough, transformed the Ibrox club back in the mid to late-1980s.
He appointed Graeme Souness manager, sanctioned the signings of household names like Terry Butcher, Chris Woods, Graham Roberts, Trevor Francis and Ray Wilkins and presided over a remarkable revival in fortunes after many years in the doldrums.
One misty-eyed fan commented: “If only we had a chairman with the ambition to go out and sign the England captain and England goalkeeper now!” Ambition? Seriously? Ambition had absolutely nothing to do with it.
It would take in the region of £150m to land Jordan Pickford from Everton and Harry Kane from Bayern Munich today and a fair few quid to cover their weekly wages thereafter.
And would the duo really consider swapping the Premier League and Bundesliga respectively for the Premiership anyway in the unlikely event such funds were available and their clubs were willing to sell their prized assets? It was a risible remark.
That is not in any way to decry what they accomplished. The pair resurrected the Glasgow giants, won the Scottish title for the first time in nine years and laid the foundations for a period of unprecedented domestic success. It was an extraordinary spell. But could their achievements be replicated in this day and age? It would be impossible.
There are many Rangers supporters who are excited about the Scotland great taking up a consultancy role with his former employers in the very near future and a number who firmly believe his direct involvement going forward will lead to an upturn in fortunes on the park.
Ally McCoist is very much among them. He and Souness did not have a particularly harmonious relationship when they worked together. In fact, he was given the nickname The Judge by his team mates at that time because of how often he spent sitting on the bench.
Still, the record Rangers goalscorer gave a positive reaction to the news that his ex-gaffer would be returning to his old stomping ground when he appeared on TNT Sports on Thursday evening.
“It’s a terrific move,” he said. “You have to have people within the football club who understand the DNA of the football club. Supporters also feel comfortable with people who they know. That is very important. Graeme is an intelligent football man.”
Being able to confer with the 70-year-old on football matters should prove invaluable to current chairman John Bennett, chief executive James Bisgrove and even manager Philippe Clement in the months ahead.
His presence should ensure the current board members are spared the sort of abuse they suffered during the 2022/23 season. Banners of then chief executive Stewart Robertson and former sporting director Ross Wilson were unfurled in the stands as they bombed in Europe and failed to lift a trophy in Scotland. Both men departed not long afterwards.
It is very hard to see anyone targeting their revered former manager in a similar manner. Or accusing the hierarchy of being out of touch with fans or football with the legendary midfielder in the background providing guidance. He remains a highly-respected and much-loved figure. He will be a kind of human shield almost. It is a smart move.
But Celtic are too strong, too professionally-run, too wealthy, too well-supported these days to be deposed as the dominant force in the game in this country by the return of a man who has spent the past 17 years working as a media pundit.
Anyone anticipating The Souness Revolution II will be left sorely disappointed - and will need to resort to viewing funny video clips of cats watching spin cycles on washing machines online to cheer themselves up.
