Interim Rangers chairman John Gilligan is leading the Ibrox club’s hunt for a new chief executive.
But one current CEO at a Scottish Premiership rival insists as things stand there has been no approach to bring him into Ibrox.
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay was named as a frontrunner for the Rangers gig back in June but since then the Gers have tried, and failed, to bring St Mirren vice-chairman Jim Gillespie to Govan.
But whilst McKinlay categorically denied any official approach from Rangers, fans will notice the Hearts CEO certainly never warned the Ibrox club off a move.
Hearts CEO fails to rule out interest in Rangers role
Award-winning Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has been speaking to Sky Sports this week as some chaos envelops the Tynecastle club.
In the same week John Gilligan has been out firefighting on behalf of Rangers, McKinlay has been out explaining the Jambos’ decision to sack Steven Naismith.
Whilst the Hearts hunt for a new manager was the main topic of discussion, McKinlay was also asked about that reported Rangers interest three months ago.
And whilst McKinlay insists that he ‘loves’ his job at Hearts, the Tynecastle chief certainly didn’t rule out interest in the position at Rangers.
“I’m delighted in the role at Hearts and I love my role at Hearts,” McKinlay told Sky Sports.
“I can put on record very clearly that I have had no conversations with Rangers and Rangers have had no conservations with me.
“There have been press reports. I have no idea where those press reports have come from.
“There have been press reports about other individuals who have vowed to become chief executive and it didn’t come to fruition.
“So I have no ideas what Rangers’ plans are for the future.
“I wish them all the best in their search but I am absolutely focused on my job with Hearts.
“I love my job with Hearts and will give it my utmost going forward.”
Rangers chairman wants CEO by Christmas
Rangers remain without a CEO after former marketing director James Bisgrove jumped ship to Saudi Arabia at the beginning of June.
Whilst Bisgrove appears to be settling in well in Saudi, Rangers’ situation has been complication by the resignation of chairman John Bennett for health reasons.
The situation hasn’t been helped by the proposed move for Gillespie falling through in the final moments.
Remarkably, interim chair John Gilligan has explained to Sky Sports that the ‘dream scenario’ for Rangers is to have a replacement CEO in before Christmas.
Given Bisgrove officially left Ibrox on the 1st of June, it could be over six months between the new Al-Qadsiah CEO leaving Rangers and a replacement being appointed.
“We have a number of people who are around the opportunity,” said Gilligan.
“But we want to bring in a recruitment company to make sure we don’t miss anyone and take their professional advice.
“They’ll vet certain candidates, we’ll take it down to a shortlist and then we’ll decide.
“But we’re reasonably well-on in the process.
“It’s not the case (we’re back to square one). It’s not square one but we’ve still got some work to do.
“(We want to fill the position) as soon as possible, really. I suppose the dream scenario would be we would get someone in before Christmas.”
Whilst we appreciate the need to get the right people the door, dose such a gap speak volumes about the lack of leadership at the top of Ibrox?
