Bett's dark fears; Exclusive.

Byline: Gavin Berry

JIM BETT fears Rangers' financial hardship means their summer transfer dealings could be a throwback to the club's dark days of the early 1980s.

The former Ibrox midfielder shudders at the memory of a close season when they signed just one player and finished third in the table - 12 points behind champions Celtic.

And after big spending during Walter Smith's nine-in-a-row years and the Dick Advocaat era, Bett reckons the situation could have gone full circle.

In 1981 the Light Blues' only signing of note was Ulsterman John McClelland, who arrived for pounds 90,000 from Mansfield, and the lack of activity failed to inspire fans as money was instead used for the redevelopment of Ibrox.

Sir David Murray and Walter Smith have made no secret of the fact that the club are struggling financially and, if anything, players are more likely to head for the exit door.

Now living in Iceland, former Scotland international Bett said: "It's like the summer when we signed just one player - John McClelland - and I recall the lack of enthusiasm because you want to strengthen.

"It all changed when Graeme Souness arrived. He got money to buy all these English international players and it's almost come full circle after the nine-and-a-row and Dick Advocaat years. Maybe now Rangers are going back to the dark days of the 1980s."