IBROX fans have been urged to make the most of a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to put themselves at the heart of Rangers and safeguard it in the future.

The formation of Club 1872 in May saw several Light Blues supporters organisations – including the Rangers Supporters Trust and Rangers First – come together under one umbrella.

Sons of Struth chief Craig Houston was at the centre of the lengthy fight for boardroom change before Dave King and Co. assumed control at Ibrox in March last year.

And he hopes the newly formed group will allow fans to have their voices heard at the top of the Marble Staircase and in the corridors of power across our game.

Houston told SportTimes: “When I saw the proposal document I thought it was a fantastic opportunity and there is a small window here for the fans.

“The club is in the hands of people that we are happy with but that could change. Whatever that window is, it is important the fans arrange themselves in such a manner that they have got an influence.

“If things were to change with this board or a future board then we would be in a much better position to deal with things than we have been in the last few years when we had people taking to the streets and boycotting and all the stuff that had to be done.

“It is a great opportunity. The proposal was good and it makes a lot of sense so we need the fans to buy into it and support it to make sure that delivers a committee to take Club 1872 forward.

“If Rangers had 24 different fans groups and one decided they wanted to speak to the Police about what happened at Hampden or to the Press, they have a small about of weight.

“But if you have the vast majority of those that want to be part of it then it gives you a far better hand and we have seen that with Club 1872 already.

“As it grows ans gets stronger, we can open more doors and people will listen to you speaking for tens of thousands of Rangers supporters.

“It puts you in a better position within the club and outwith the club. That influence will grow and the fans will be in a fantastic place.”

Club 1872 have set a target of recruiting 50,000 members and elections to the seven person board will take place in a few weeks.

And Houston knows the organisation must be able to hold the custodians of the club to account as Rangers continue on the road to recovery on and off the park.

He said: “If it is not 100 per cent independent in its perception and its principles then you won’t have the ability to do the things that might not be as pleasant going forward.

“If this board or any board does anything the supporters don’t agree with then we need to react and, to do that, we need to be independent from the club.

“Yes, the fans will do things that will benefit Rangers. We all want what is best for the club.

“But it must have its total independence to allow it to function properly. It can’t be an arm of Rangers.

“It will be there to help and support the club, but it must be the fans. I was glad that remaining independent from Rangers is one of the core principles of Club 1872.”