IBROX legend Richard Gough reckons the current Rangers team is probably the worst in the club's illustrious history.

The nine-in-a-row skipper watched on last weekend as Kenny McDowall's side went down without a fight against Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden.

The Light Blues are 16 points off the pace in the Championship and have come under heavy criticism from fans for a series of abject displays.

The on-field problems are overshadowed by turmoil off the park, but Gough knows the expectations from supporters are a long way from being met.

He said: "I've watched Rangers since the late 1970s, I know about the teams before then from my father and grandfather.

"This team at the moment is probably the worst Rangers team that's ever played for the club.

"It's not their fault, it's just the circumstances at the club. It could also be the worst Celtic team I've ever seen, to be fair. That's the standard right now.

"I remember speaking with David Murray, when he took over the club in 1988. We were out one night and he mentioned something about 'his' club. I told him it was never his club - it's the supporters' club.

"I didn't go to Hampden on Sunday, I didn't want to. But what struck me from watching on TV was the Rangers support.

"They were unbelievable, because they were watching a poor team being completely outplayed by Celtic who were far better in every position.

"But the Rangers supporters remained very vocal in their support. That saddened me in a way, because I knew if that had been a team I'd played in who had been 2-0 down and getting played off the park by Celtic, we would have got hammered by the fans.

"The support would have walked out, we would have got a hard time.

"But the supporters know that the current team just doesn't have the necessary quality.

"So I just hope Dave King can get control, because it will be better for those supporters again."