THE celebrations have been a long time coming but there is no time to dwell on their achievements or think that the job is done.

As regime change edges ever closer at Ibrox, the men who have fought every step of the way could be forgiven for taking a step back and reflecting on a remarkable few years.

Their efforts have thrust them into the public eye, brought opportunity and scrutiny, praise and condemnation.

The last few weeks, the final push for victory, have been some of the most testing of a fight for Rangers that now appears to have been won by those who know its past and will preserve its future.

Chris Graham is one of the Light Blue legions who has stood up to be counted and is now spokesman for the Union of Fans and holds a prominent position within the Rangers Supporters Trust.

He has become one of the public faces of a battle that has been fought very much in the full gaze of the galleries but it has been far from a one man fight as Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan get set to take their seat at the Ibrox top table.

"It has been a long slog. There has been a lot of time given up and a lot of sleepless nights as well," Graham told SportTimes.

"It is good that it finally seems to be coming to an end. You kind of feel that the hard work is yet to come, though.

"Removing the board is part of it but then moving the club forward and rebuilding it will take time. We will allow ourselves a few days of celebration, though.

"You do get sucked into it fairly quickly and it does take over. It has quite an impact on your personal life, work, the time you have with your family. It does take its toll.

"Guys like myself and Craig Houston, we take some of the flak but we get to put our views across. There are so many people that do work in the background.

"One of the girls from the Trust, Joanne, is collecting proxies and her mum is going down to the PO Box every morning and heaving a bag up the road then sorting them all.

"There is a huge amount of work that goes on that nobody really sees. There are people who have given up huge amounts of time to try and help. It is very much a collective effort."

With the winning line in sight, and the last remnants of a distrusted, hopeless hierarchy almost off the premises, thoughts are turning to the future.

For the first time in years, there will be harmony between the boardroom and terraces as supporters and directors operate and co-operate for the good of Rangers.

Graham said: "It is important the fans are together. That has been the case for a long time.

"There seems to be a perception that there is a split in the fans.

"There are people that can shout loudly but without the numbers behind them. The fans are together.

"We know there is a huge rebuilding job to be done. The guys will only find out once they are in there but it could even be potentially bigger than we think. Everyone has to be together to get us back to where we need to be."

Having achieved unity in the stands and with leaders now poised to return to the boardroom, Rangers can attempt to move forward and return to their former glory.

The visit of Queen of the South a week today will be the first home fixture free from protests and chants as thousands get set to make the pilgrimage to Ibrox once again.

Graham said: "The board wanted to portray the attendances as a football issue rather than a board issue.

"I think we will see over the next few weeks that that isn't the case. Don't get me wrong, the football isn't great, but people have been used to that since the Third Division.

"I think there will be that feeling of pulling together, people will want to fund the club and help it get back to where it belongs."