Kevin Thelwell might have to wait until the end of the season before taking the reins at Rangers but the club’s new sporting director can’t wait to get started.
Patrick Stewart waxed lyrical about Thelwell after Rangers announced the appointment of the 51-year-old as the club’s new sporting director, who has an almighty job on his hands at Ibrox.
Here are five things waiting on the desk of Kevin Thelwell come day one at Auchenhowie as Rangers look to a brighter future under fresh American investment.
John Souttar’s contract
John Souttar was coy about his Rangers future heading into the summer with the Scotland international well aware that change is imminent at Ibrox.
The 28-year-old is a crucial player for Rangers and, despite giving away a penalty against Athletic Club, will be a crucial figure at the centre of any rebuild.
About to enter the final year of his Rangers contract, one of Thelwell’s first jobs will be thrashing out a new deal for the centre-back.
Nicolas Raskin’s Rangers fate to be decided
There are some other big decisions Rangers will need to make this summer as they look to rebuild the Ibrox squad.
Whilst it’s been a bitterly disappointing season, there are a number of assets in the team who could help fund the club’s rebuild despite promises of a cash injection.
Nicolas Raskin has been a stand-out this season, with Nico earning his first Belgium caps during the last international break.
Jefte, Mohamed Diomande and Hamza Igamane are also sellable assets but Rangers have the luxury of longer term contracts for these players.
Out of contract in 2027, if anyone is going to be sold it’s Nico and Rangers will need to tie Raskin down on a stronger deal or cash in this summer to maximise asset potential.
Get high-earning underachievers off the wage bill
Rangers might have slashed the club’s wage bill by £6m last summer but those cut-backs will need to continue into a second season as part of the club’s restructuring.
Tom Lawrence (£22k per week) is a wanted man this summer and will likely move on at the end of his contract. Ianis Hagi (£21k per week) is open to staying at Rangers but will likely suffer a similar fate.
Ben Davies (£27k per week) and Kieran Dowell (£16k per week) have impressed on loan at newly-promoted Championship outfit Birmingham City and will hope to move to St Andrews permanently.
Jose Cifuentes (£16k per week) is wanted by Aris Thessaloniki permanently whilst Rabbi Matondo (£23k per week) could move to Hannover 96 after making a loan switch in January.
According to Salary Sport, Rangers would free up somewhere in the region of £125k per week, or £6.5m per year by getting rid of these players alone.
Stick or twist with Vaclav Cerny
Vaclav Cerny has been Rangers’ stand out performer this season but, like several others before him, he is only on loan at Ibrox.
Cerny’s agent reckons Rangers can’t afford the winger, who is on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg, and the situation remains live as things stand.
Cerny is open to Rangers, and Rangers are open to Cerny, but so far the financials involved make a deal look increasingly unlikely.
Rangers are on the verge of a US cash injection as Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers prepare to take the reins.
If a deal for Vaclav Cerny is on the table, Kevin Thelwell will need to decide if an expensive move for the 27-year-old Czech international is worth it.
Assessing the state of unbalanced Rangers squad
It will be Kevin Thelwell’s job, alongside the next Rangers manager, to rebuild the Rangers squad after years of mismanagement.
Rangers have an incredibly unbalanced squad with a severe lack of experience and there are big decisions to be made in every part of the team.
Jack Butland is a high-earner whose future looks increasingly uncertain. Robin Propper has had a disastrous first season in light-blue. Rafael Fernandes has a loan clause which the club could take up.
That’s before we get into Oscar Cortes, Danilo and Nedim Bajrami costing the bulk of £15m to deliver next to nothing.
There are several in the Rangers team who are yet to convince fans they’re worthy of being there. Now they’re going to have to convince Kevin Thelwell.
