LEEDS BY EXAMPLE

SUCCESS and sustainability. Two words that haven't always gone hand in hand at Rangers.

- BY FRASER WILSON

To be fair they're not the only club to have splashed out exorbitant amounts of cash in the hunt for silverware.

But those two nouns - vows if you prefer - were dotted repeatedly through Andrew Cavenagh's open letter to supporters that went out as the US health insurance tycoon and 49ers Enterprises' takeover at Ibrox was confirmed on Friday.

The American consortium want to take Rangers to the top. But they want to secure the club's long-term future just as badly.

How far the initial £20m investment this summer will allow the new manager - whoever he may be - to challenge Celtic remains to be seen.

But, as chairman Cavenagh says, strategy and disciplined investment is the key to wrestling top spot in Scottish football back from the club's greatest rivals.

Not boom and bust.

Anyone who has watched the 49ers' approach to rebuilding Leeds United shouldn't be surprised.

It has been measured from day one.

Investment in the football operation has always been paramount but it has also been prudent. It has led to promotion to the Premier League at the second time of trying.

The Lilywhites are back in the big time.