There is an old saying in football that “no man is bigger than the club”. Of course, although everyone wants that to be true, in such an egocentric time of football, plenty of personalities give it their best shot. In the time of the “Charles Green Show”, Green himself once referred to “Charles Green’s Rangers”, and although that may simply have been a throwaway line that annoyed the fans more than it should have, it certainly summed up what was happening at the time.

Of course, the “no man bigger than the club” should always apply, but at a club the size of Rangers, there will always be men that sum up what it is to be “Rangers”. Just look down at the shockwaves caused by the announced retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. If Rangers have a modern-day equivalent, it is Walter Smith, currently in the middle of his third spell at the club after his first two spells changed the face of the club. His role as a non-executive director is not born out of a business acumen, or a desire to make money out of the club. Walter Smith is there out of a love for the club, and his appointment and endorsement of the Charles Green consortium brought comfort to many. It was also his presence that brought comfort to many when the board met over allegations about Charles Green and Imran Ahmad.

However, as board relationships have broken down since then, and resignations have been demanded, a murky cloud sits over the boardroom. Fans have struggled to know who to believe. The most recent news from Monday’s board meeting is that non-executive chairman, Malcolm Murray, has been given a vote of no-confidence, and has been asked to step down. Since then, it has been reported that Walter Smith has threatened to resign over the handling of the matter.

The news is most certainly an eye-opener, and the matter has two sides to it. Walter Smith is currently the bridge between the fans and the boardroom. There is currently no one else in a position of power that fans would feel has earned their trust. Even in the case of “lifelong ‘Ger”, Malcolm Murray, it is believed that Smith’s issue is not with the potential resignation of Murray, but the way in which it was handled. The rest of the board remain faceless except from one interview with interim Chief Executive, Craig Mather. In a time of such uncertainty and reported in-fighting, can the board really afford to lose the one man fans can relate to? Such a vital time lies ahead in relation to season ticket sales; the pivotal moment for the men holding the purse strings. What happens if an icon of the club is forced to quit at this vital time? Is it anything other than a vote of “no confidence” in those currently in charge?

The other side of this situation lies in the hands of the fans. If one of the biggest figures of the modern era walks away from the club, do alarm bells start ringing? If that bridge between the board and the fans is taken away, large sections of the support will start to feel as isolated as ever, myself included. The proper questions will need to be asked. Who is it that the fans can trust to steer Rangers through the stormy seas? With Charles Green’s direct association with the club coming to an end on 31st May, who is it that is pulling the strings at the moment? Will we ever know? If Walter Smith was to leave, who will be the person that can represent a sense of trust and understanding on the board?

Just over a year removed from one of the darkest days in the club’s history, the fans should be as vigilant as ever at this present moment. Under the watch of Craig Whyte, another icon was allowed to walk away with barely an eyelash being batted. The fans cannot allow this to happen again. At the moment, the fans need a strong board as much as the board need the support of the fans. At a time where stability is required like never before, Rangers cannot afford to lose a figure such as Walter Smith. It is time to start healing the wounds that currently exist, rather than ripping fresh ones open. Undoubtedly change and development is required on the board, fresh ideas are needed and a more united front is required. But right now, to lose a man that knows Rangers Football Club better than just about anyone cannot be an option. As a club, we cannot allow this.