GATHERINGS of Rangers shareholders at Ibrox in recent years have not always been altogether harmonious. Indeed, under the previous regime, you genuinely feared for the wellbeing of those at the top table such was the anger, hatred and hostility directed towards them from the stands. The general meeting held at the famous old Govan ground first thing this morning, though, was entirely incident free.

It was indicative of the widespread support for the current hierarchy that the occasion was such a tame affair. But Steven Gerrard’s team qualifying for the group stages of the Europa League with a gutsy display against Ufa in Russia last night also contributed greatly to the feelgood factor. There was an impromptu round of applause in honour of the achievement before the official business of the day got underway.

The general meeting was held as a result of Resolutions 10 and 11 finally, after repeated failed attempts, being passed at the annual general meeting at the Clyde Auditorium back in November and allowed Rangers International Football Club PLC to issue 64,147,137 shares at a cost of 20p each to no fewer than 13 of their investors.

But as James Blair, the Rangers company secretary who was conducting matters, read out the names of those individuals and entities and who are to receive shares if the resolution is passed, and they include Borita Investments, Club 1872, John Bennett, Douglas Park, George Letham, New Oasis Asset Limited, New Trace Limited and Barry Scott, one elderly shareholder grew concerned.

The damage wreaked by so many of those who have occupied the directors’ box at Ibrox since their financial implosion six years ago had clearly not been forgotten by the supporter and when the company secretary asked if there were any questions he immediately raised his hand.

“All these names of people and different companies who are buying shares,” he said. “Have they been looked into? Do you know who they are? Are the genuine? They’re not chancers who are going to try take advantage of things?”

It was a valid point given the corporate vandalism, egregious mismanagement and shameful self-serving motives of some of those who have held positions of authority at Rangers in the past.

His fears, though, were quickly allayed. “I can assure you we have looked into every one of the individuals and spoken to every one of them and they are there to support the club,” said Mr Blair.

Another shareholder asked for a microphone so he could express his gratitude publicly for the team achieving qualification to the Europa League group stages. “We wouldn’t have had this success if it wasn’t for the fans and the board and I think all Rangers fans this morning feel very grateful,” he said. “I would just like to say thank you.”

Converting the soft loans of their benefactors into equity after over three years of what Dave King, the chairman and major shareholder, admitted was an unsustainable business plan some time ago, will be a significant moment for Rangers in their ongoing attempts to become the dominant force in Scottish football.

King also stated back in May following the appointment of Gerrard as that it will raise at least £6 million, and possibly as much as £8 million, of fresh capital and that should go some way towards funding their extensive summer recruitment drive as a well as any future signings.

The results of the meeting will be posted on the official Rangers website in due course, but the resolution is certain, like the team on the park in Europe so far in the 2018/19 campaign, to be successful.