THE days of anxiety have been their way and now they look to emerge stronger because of the trials that have to be overcome.

Rangers' wounds are deep and the scars will take some time to heal. Walter Smith knows that is in short supply, though.

These are not the moments for short-term thinking and off-the-cuff decisions. The actions in the here and now will have far-reaching consequences for the club and supporters.

The job in hand for the new board is considerable, but so, too, is the opportunity.

It is a chance for them to rebuild their club, return it to its former glory off the field and back to its natural level on it.

It was only once Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan had been victorious at last month's EGM, and taken their seats at the Ibrox top table, that they were able to fully understand just what the state of play was.

The history was well known, the plan for the future is in place, but the present would take some time to understand.

The new board are only six weeks in to a job that Murray admitted could take seven years to complete, but former manager and chairman Smith is confident normality can be achieved.

"The whole club faces a big, big period in its history," he said. "They have to get back to something resembling Rangers Football Club. That is not going to be easy.

"No football club goes through its history winning all the time. Rangers have certainly had their down periods before, but this one has been different to any one in our history.

"Everybody has to try and adjust to that. People on the outside need to have an understanding of that, supporters have got to have an understanding of that.

"That doesn't mean to say they get any laxity in terms of what happens. That is Rangers."

During his trophy-laden two spells as boss, Smith was no stranger to making the back pages as he guided Rangers to nine-in-a-row, a total of 21 major honours and a European final.

In recent years, it has been headlines of a different kind that have plagued Rangers, though, with boardroom revelations and financial issues seeing the club mired in controversy.

The weeks since King and Co. ousted the remaining members of the old regime, as Derek Llambias and Barry Leach were removed from office, have been less frantic but no less important.

There are still plenty of questions surrounding Rangers, where they have been and where they are going, but Smith knows the answers won't be immediately forthcoming.

"It is obviously a good thing for the club that it has settled down now and that kind of stuff is out the way," he said.

"They can get on with actually running the football club. In the last few weeks, there have been a lack of headlines, if you like. That is the first step forward for Rangers.

"Patience doesn't really go hand in hand with Rangers. It never really has done.

"That is one of the problems that you have. There will be understanding now, I won't say patience, but there will be understanding from all perspectives.

"On and off the pitch aspects will take a bit of time to clear up and clarify.

"The pressure is always on you at Rangers to go and win, regardless of the circumstances.

"I think just now there will be a bit of understanding as to what has to happen to take another step forward."

If Rangers are to move in the right direction, return to what Murray called the 'very top' and re-establish themselves as a force on and off the park, the support of fans will be crucial.

Thousands became disengaged with their club in the final months of the boardroom battle, but have returned to back Stuart McCall's side in recent weeks and will play their part as the board look to rebuild Rangers.

Where once there was anger and frustration, there is now trust and faith in those in control at Ibrox.

Smith said: "I think that comes hand in hand with what happened with the EGM. There was a lack of trust. It was straightforward and simple.

"Now, there is trust in the people that are there, that they are there for Rangers Football Club and that is a big starting position for them after the three or four years they had."

Having played their part in the boardroom coup and celebrated the arrival of those they championed for an Ibrox homecoming, fans are now eager to have their say in Rangers' future.

The coming weeks and months will see a series of major decisions made by the board as they examine contracts, plan for the new season and get set to appoint a new boss.

For many, Smith is the ideal man for them to turn to for a word of advice, but the 67-year-old does not expect the phone to ring and opinions to be sought.

Smith said: "I think they are unlikely to do that. I have left and made my part quite clear so I don't think they are liable to come to me and ask.

"They have taken over, there is a board in place and it is important that they make the decisions.

"I made mine when I left and I said I wouldn't go back, and I won't. I don't think it is likely they will ask me what course of action they should take.

"A lot of the actions they need to take at the present moment are not really football ones, they are financial ones and that has never been my department."