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It was 56 years since a major trophy landed on Tyneside in the shape of the long-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the ensuing years an era when the club has become a punchline and punchbag for other fans to feast on.

He is facing opposition from unions, who over the weekend accused the government of "the retreading of failed ideas and narratives" and risked "treating the Civil Service as a political punchbag".

He is facing opposition from Civil Service unions, who over the weekend accused the government of "the retreading of failed ideas and narratives" and risked "treating the civil service as a political punchbag".

Mike Clancy, head of the Prospect union which represents more than 32,000 civil servants, said: "Nobody would say the Civil Service is perfect, and our members are willing partners in reform, but this government must end the tradition of treating the Civil Service as a political punchbag."

Bar the occasional appearance from interim chairman John Gilligan, Clement has been front of house, a human punchbag for all the ills of Ibrox.