DOUGLAS RAE deals in Millions.

This season hasn't been sweet for the Greenock businessman, however.

And now he is counting the cost of Morton's impending relegation from the SPFL Championship.

Rae has devoted his life to his local club, supporting them from the terraces and then giving them his financial backing in their hour of need as he took up a seat in the directors' box.

His worst fears will come true sooner rather than later when the Ton lose their second-tier status, which could happen tonight when Dumbarton visit Cappielow.

The season that started with victory over St Mirren and saw Allan Moore's side cause one of the great League Cup shocks by knocking out Celtic at Parkhead will end in heartache after Kenny Shiels and his new-look squad failed to reverse their fortunes.

Rae has suffered more than most in recent times and the 82-year-old is now preparing for life in League One.

"I never believed we would be relegated," he exclusively told SportTimes.

"I remember when Manchester United were relegated, one of their people said to me 'we never believed we could be relegated'. It shows you that nobody has a divine right to be safe.

"I am a realist. I don't start talking about what ifs, I deal with where we are.

"There is no point in worrying. You look at the problem and you sit and think about the ways that it can be dealt with. After that, you select what you consider to be the best way forward and you be positive.

"We are where we are and we have to deal with it. You need to have a clear picture of what has to be done and how we are going to do it.."

The coming weeks will be crucial for Morton as they build for what Rae hopes will be a one-season stint in League One.

The financial implications of relegation are often severe for clubs in Scotland but losing their Championship status this term is a double-whammy for the Ton considering the teams that will line-up in the second tier for the 2014/15 campaign.

"People say we are losing a harvest next year. We are and I appreciate that," said Rae, whose club will miss out on lucrative ties with Rangers and Hearts.

"But there could possibly be just one going up to the Premiership and one back down again next year.

"There might be St Mirren in the league, which for us would be great, and Hearts would be good.

"It is bad to miss it but it is not the end of the world."

It is only 12 months ago Ton were dreaming of a place amongst Scotland's elite as they went head-to-head with Partick Thistle for the First Division crown.

It is life down a level from the one they have occupied for several seasons that will greet those that survive the likely summer clear-out.

Rae said: "If you do it when things have been bad, you tend to say 'we will get rid of that, and that, and that'.

"I will wait and see how they perform in the games now that there is no pressure on them.

"If they can't play well, or reasonably well, and none of them are any use then we will just get rid of everyone and start again as we look to come straight back up."