Scottish Premier League-winning manager Walter Smith has urged new owner Craig Whyte to spend big money on the squad ahead of next season.
'Gers managed to hold off Old Firm rivals Celtic by winning 5-1 at Kilmarnock yesterday to notch up their third straight title and now Smith, who has finished in his role as manager, feels that the time is right for some cash to be used to the playing group so they can compete in Europe.
"The players deserve an enormous amount of credit for handling the situation," Smith said.
"But unless there is a significant investment then the team will stagnate. They just can't continue to do what they have been doing at the present moment. That is regardless of if I was the manager or anybody. Next season will be a problem.
"Hopefully, that will be looked at by the owners.
"But I don't think the new owner would have bought the club unless they were happy to put money into the team.
"He is aware the club needs quite a large level of investment into the team.
"He's also aware that if they don't get that they will not continue the success they've had.
"There is a new boss so hopefully he's able to bring in a level of player who will help him continue the success we've had.
"Historically if you look at Rangers over the last 20 odd years, every three of four years they have needed a fairly large investment in the team to boost them.
"When the team's not had that it's not been successful. The new owner is aware of that, he's had a good length of time, over six months, to sit and study the level of investment which is necessary.
"Sir David Murray needed to find the money every three to four years - and it's now needed again. The team needs a boost.
"He would be blind if he didn't realise that."
