Interim Rangers chairman John Gilligan has been speaking in public this week as the Gers step up their hunt for a new CEO.
Gilligan is one of the original investors who led the takeover of Rangers in 2015 and is a lifelong bluenose who will look to bring stability to the club at a crucial juncture.
Following the resignation John Bennett for health reasons, Gilligan has stepped into the role to oversee the appointment of a new Rangers CEO and permanent chairman.
As part of that, Gilligan has conducted an interview with RangersTV where he has hinted towards the pursuit of Jim Gillespie and gave a positive update on the Ibrox club’s finances.
John Gilligan hints at collapse of Jim Gillespie CEO deal
Speaking in an earlier press conference, John Gilligan was clear that the incoming Rangers CEO must meet certain conditions at Ibrox.
The Gers are looking for a commanding leadership figure who has a demonstrable track record of results in a high pressure environment and a strong football background.
The name who was leading the club’s recruitment process earlier in the summer appeared to be St Mirren vice-chairman and CEO of the Kibble Jim Gillespie.
However, Rangers were rocked when Gillespie appeared to pull out of the running at the last minute and for the first time a representative of the club has referenced the situation.
Whilst Gilligan doesn’t mention Gillespie directly, the failed pursuit mentioned in his interview with RangersTV is believed to be the ex-St Mirren suit.
“What happened is we were almost there,” said Gilligan. “And the candidate withdrew late in the process.
“Which is absolutely acceptable, that’s none of our business.
“But it sort of set us back, but what you do is go back again and certain other candidates that were there.
“We can pick up with them again and we’ve opened it up to some more people by employing a recruitment agent and we’ll do that now, that is now in place.”
Rangers finances on ‘solid ground’
Questions of finances are never far from Rangers and John Gilligan was asked about the club’s finances amid the revolving door in the Ibrox hierarchy.
Despite the upheaval, Gilligan insists that Rangers are in a good place financially and tells supporters that all will become clear at the upcoming AGM.
“The current state of financial play is that the club is on solid ground,” said Gilligan.
“The accounts are due to come out quite soon and then there’s the AGM.
“So it will become apparent then. I can’t really speak in detail at the moment but it’s very solid.”
Major Rangers shareholder Dave King also courted controversy when he claimed that ex-Rangers chairman Douglas Park turned down outside investment into Ibrox.
Gilligan has reassured supporters that Rangers will welcome any investment opportunities but that any deal must best represent the interests of the Ibrox side.
“As for foreign investment from anywhere, literally, the board are open any people that approach them,” said Gilligan.
“We have had approaches in the past and we will get them in the future.
“It needs to be right for the club. It needs to be the right shareholding, it needs to be understand that no one person can own the club.
“We want to keep the club within the control of a number of people.”
