RICHARD GOUGH reckons a unified Rangers support could be the strongest in the UK as the Light Blue legions bid to play their part in the Ibrox rebuilding job.

The nine-in-a-row legend has put his name forward for election to the board of Rangers First as he looks to lend his backing to the fan ownership organisation.

RF currently have a 3.52% shareholding in RIFC plc and are in discussions with several bodies – including the Rangers Supporters Trust – over a proposal that would bring the Gers groups together under one umbrella.

The new unified organisation would be independent from Rangers and mobilise thousands of fans to have a voice in how their club is run.

Gough is one of 23 candidates in the running for a seat on the RF board and the 53-year-old is keen to help supporters have as great a say as possible going forward.

He said: “In the beginning I was asked to join Rangers First and there is also the Rangers Supporters Trust, so I joined both of them.

“Now I think the members, 97%, are all together saying they want to make one organisation.

“I was asked if I would be a director of Rangers First, or to be voted in. The bottom line is that if the members don’t want to vote me in as a director I won’t be a director. But hopefully I can.

“The club is the supporters and if they can all get together in one group I think it will be better than having splinter groups all over the place.

“If Rangers fans can have one voice, they can influence what can happen at the club and in Scottish football in general. I think it would help.

“It is very important that the supporters are [together]. I think Rangers could possibly have the strongest fans group in the whole of the UK if they all pulled together in the right direction.

“The supporters, over the last year especially, have got together. There was a poll done and 97% are in favour of coming together as one group so hopefully that goes ahead.

“I know there are 23 people being put forward to become directors [of Rangers First] and only seven can become directors.

“It has always been the supporters’ club, it doesn’t matter who the custodian is. I can remember saying that to David Murray when he bought the club.

“It is the supporters’ club and we are just custodians. If I become a director of Rangers First, I will help the club in as many ways as possible.”

Both Rangers First and the RST played key roles in forcing boardroom change at Ibrox last year and they are now close to combining their resources, along with the Association, Assembly and Fans’ Board.

A minority of supporters have previously voted against the proposals currently on the table but Gough reckons there is strength and safety in numbers.

He said: “The biggest thing is unity. You are putting all the members at the heart of the new group.

“The one thing we have got to make sure is that the events of the last few years never happen again.

“I thought it would be a much slower process on the field and off the field. At the moment, things are very good.

“We are ahead in the league and the stuff off the field, day by day, is getting dismantled, like stuff with Ashley, and the club is starting to come back a bit.

“The main thing is that the club is being run by a board who are Rangers supporters. It is important that the support plays a part in re-establishing the club as well.”