Creag Robertson is the latest name to step down from the hierarchy of Rangers as an overhaul at the top end of the club continues.
The Rangers director of football operations has stepped down to ‘pursue new opportunities’ after 18 months in his role at Ibrox.
At least that’s according to the Rangers Review, who claim that Robertson will leave Ibrox before the end of the year in search of work elsewhere.
It follows the departure of several high-profile figures at the top of the marble staircase with Rangers now facing a recruitment hunt for several top executive roles.
No fewer than four crucial positions currently lay vacant at Ibrox and here’s the lowdown on the situation in the Gers boardroom.
Academy Director
Rangers made a bold appointment when Zeb Jacobs was handed the role of academy director in the summer of 2023.
The young Belgian youth coaching visionary was promoted as part of the John Bennett-led overhaul of the club’s hierarchy following the departure of Douglas Park, Stewart Robertson, Ross Wilson and Craig Mullholland.
Initially appointed as the Head of Academy coaching in 2021 – with Rangers’ gaze drawn by Michael Beale – the highly-rated young coach lasted less than a year in the Ibrox boardroom.
Agreeing a deal to move to Feyenoord as the Dutch club’s Head of Academy in April this year, Jacobs was a man in demand with the likes of Manchester City also on his tail.
Rangers have yet to replace the highly-rated young youth coach, with Gareth Henderby the most prominent name that’s done the rounds in the media.
Notice of departure: 29/04/24
Days role has been vacant: 163
Linked names: Gareth Henderby
Chief Executive Officer
James Bisgrove has a sizeable legacy at Rangers, but not in the role of CEO.
The ex-UEFA suit played a huge role in revolutionising Rangers’ commercial operations and landed the top job in the club’s executive department as a result.
But it wasn’t always plain sailing for the ex-director of commercial and marketing, with the Sydney Super Cup one of a number of chaotic projects which Bisgrove oversaw.
The other was the delayed upgrade to Ibrox’s Copland Stand, something which led to Rangers playing their opening home games at Hampden this season.
But Bisgrove jumped ship to Saudi Arabia before the fall-out ensued and landed himself a rather cushy number with Al-Qadsiah in the nation’s Pro League.
It’s fair to say Bisgrove is settling into Saudi quite nicely.
Rangers saw a move for St Mirren vice-chairman and Kibble CEO Jim Gillespie collapse in the final moments of negotiations and remain on the hunt for a new option.
The Gers have enlisted the help of a top recruitment agency to ensure the next appointment in the position is an ultimately fruitful one.
Another name strongly mentioned is Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay, who hardly ruled out the gig when pressed on reports earlier in the season.
Notice of departure: 30/05/24
Days role has been vacant: 132
Linked names: Jim Gillespie, Andrew McKinlay
Chairman
John Bennett is a crucial stakeholder in Rangers and a big part of the club’s modern history.
A vital reason as to why the club is in safer hands than those of Mike Ashley et al, Bennett has always put the needs of Rangers first and it has eventually taken its toll.
With the stress of being Rangers chairman enough to turn a young man’s hair gray, Bennett stepped down on doctor’s orders amid the chaos of the Hampden relocation and a tense summer rebuild.
In his place has come interim chairman and fellow shareholder/investor John Gilligan, who will remain in charge for as long as is necessary to source a more suitable long-term replacement.
Gilligan is leading the hunt for the club’s new CEO and alongside the lucky man or woman who takes the gig, will lead the hunt for the rest of the Rangers executive team.
Here are the big talking points from John Gilligan’s recent interview on the state of play at Rangers.
Notice of departure: 14/09/24
Days role has been vacant: 25
Linked names: N/A
Director of Football Operations
That brings us nicely to the director of football operations role that has just been vacated by the imminent departure of Creag Robertson.
Robertson played a key role in the development of Philippe Clement’s new-look squad and has been central to establishing a new playing and management structure at the club.
Rangers fans will now look for the club to employ someone in a similar ‘technical director-like’ role to ensure everything from player contracts to future transfer planning is more responsibly in place.
Robertson was also part of the much-discussed Rangers recruitment board, a team of key players across different areas of the club who work together to identify, scout and secure would-be targets.
Rangers’ administration work hasn’t always been at the elite level required – see Hamza Igamane’s visa issues in Sweden – and this is another area the club has to get right.
Notice of departure: 08/10/24
Days role has been vacant: 1
Linked names: N/A
