If Graeme Souness saw Rangers judgement call on next boss ignored he may wonder what is the point in return – Keith Jackson

Graeme Souness says he’s close to taking on a new role at Rangers and, as is almost always the case when he talks, the smart thing to do is to take him at his word.

The former Ibrox boss is hardly prone to exaggeration or being anything less than brutally honest and straight to the point. And yet, despite it all, something feels a bit peculiar about this highly flirtatious relationship with the Ibrox club’s board which has been going on for months but which is still to be officially consummated.

They’ve been playing footsie with one another since the start of the season, or perhaps more accurately, ever since John Bennett took over the role of chairman and began trying to broaden a few horizons beyond the walls of his own boardroom. Unlike his more insular predecessors, Bennett is refreshingly receptive to change where the running of his football club is concerned and the move to engage with a man of Souness’ calibre is indicative of the new broom he has brought with him into the Blue Room.

Where previously there was a climate of distrust and a resistance to anything which felt even remotely like criticism from the outside, Bennett clearly sees the benefit in being challenged by those who know how the club used to go about its business. Back in the days when, you know, they actually managed to win some stuff.

Yesterday’s late win at home to Hearts - coming 24 hours after Celtic ’s unexpected slip up at Easter Road - at least keeps them in the hunt for the title. But, for a long while, it seemed like providing yet more proof of an ingrained culture of failure.

When presented with a chance to eat into the gap at the top of the table they almost managed to find a way of choking and making it even bigger than it was