What Rangers legend was spotted after having lunch with Ibrox squad as Light Blues on cusp of 'something big'

He’s watched the team up close and dined with them - fuelling Mark Hateley’s belief that Rangers are on the cusp of an exciting era.

The Light Blues legend was one of a host of ex-players who got the chance to watch Danny Rohl’s side train last month, amid the Premiership title race. Hateley is a club ambassador and will watch on with interest as Rohl looks to topple Celtic at Ibrox in the third Premiership Old Firm of this season.

Victory for Hearts on Saturday means the gap between Rangers in second and the Jambos at the top is seven points, with victory paramount if they want to keep on the title chase, and Motherwell back at fourth are also closing in. After last summer’s takeover by 49ers Enterprises and chairman Andrew Cavenagh, Hateley has sensed a renewed optimism behind the scenes, and the former striker believes it hints at big things upcoming.

Mark Hateley on future of Rangers

"There was a great atmosphere there,” Hateley said on his training watching brief. “Went and had lunch with the boys, players, had chats with them. They're all in a good space right now and I think that's what you get from Danny. Every time he comes on he said the atmosphere within the club is really, really good. Andrew Cavanagh speaks highly of the atmosphere within the club and now you've got Ibrox back to where it's sold out now.

“You cannot get a seat in the stadium now until next season basically. Hospitality and everything is sold out. It's getting back to that feverish pitch of having focused players, a manager that knows what he's doing. A very, very young manager that knows what he's doing. This could be the start of something big for Hearts or Rangers. The club I think that is struggling the most at the moment is our biggest enemy, Celtic."

Rohl replaced head coach Russell Martin earlier this season after the former defender endured a tough spell in the dugout, and Hateley has been impressed by the ex-Sheffield Wednesday leader. He reckons his big club background has helped him adapt to the instant demands put on him at Rangers.

Danny Rohl at Rangers assessed

"Very likeable,” added Hateley. “Very focused, so focused on the job. He's had a good background. He's had a good scholarship. He's been a youth coach and video analyst. He was at Leipzig behind the scenes, looking at that sort of stuff. So he has a lot of experience in that side of the game. But as the main man, this is all new for him as that manager.

“He is doing an incredible job. He's got everybody focused. He's 100% focused along with ownership, focused on that trust and loyalty. Basically, that's all we were saying in the conversation. You have to trust your players now and the players have to trust the manager. Every time you get out there, you play your heart out. That's three teams right now. I think the league is still wide open.

“I think there's a lot of football to be played. We've all got to play Motherwell. I think they're the best footballing inside I've seen in the league this year. Great manager who will have a good career I would think with the way he plays his football and the fearless approach.