Rangers enjoyed the first few months of 2024 only for it to be downhill almost every month since to the extent that Philippe Clement must be wondering what he has got himself into.
The manager has reduced the wage bill and brought down the average of the squad but hasn’t had it easy throughout the summer of discontent on and off the field.
To be successful, Rangers need stability and changing manager, CEO and chairman every year is not going to help matters on the pitch.
Barry Ferguson says Rangers are in safe hands with John Gilligan
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Barry Ferguson has wished outgoing chairman John Bennett well whilst backing interim chair-holder John Gilligan to hold the fort:
“It was a bit of a surprise when I heard the news.
“The most important thing is that he gets back to good health, so I wish him a speedy recovery.
‘He’s come in in the last year or so and he’s put a fair bit of money into the club. But when I heard the news, my first thoughts were I hope that he gets back to good health as I said.
“Now John Gilligan has come in as acting chairman, and John knows the club inside out, he was here previous and I’m sure he will do a good job until a new chairman is going to be announced.
“I’ve known him for a long time, very passionate Rangers man, and I think it’s a very good appointment until they get the new chairman in place.”
There’s no doubting that the men at the top of Rangers have the club’s best interests at heart, but the last few years has shown that this has no relevance in terms of ability to steer the club in the right direction.
Bennett has to do what is right for his health which means that Gilligan is now the man to face the music, inheriting a mess in the process.
First job on Gilligan’s list is to appoint a CEO
Philippe Clement hinted that a new CEO could be appointed imminently in his post-match press conference after the much-needed win over Dundee United, which would be a welcome start.
But that is all it is. A start.
Adrian Bevington is a safe pair of hands in terms of experience and is a subject matter expert in terms of the inner workings of football.
If he is to be the CEO though, he needs help from above, a link to the board who will listen to him and support his vision.
If Gilligan does nothing else, regardless of how long he is steering the ship, he must communicate with the support and let them know what the plan is.
To ignore them at a time when fans aren’t happy, would only make his job harder.
