Rangers fans have a lot to be unhappy about at the moment in a year that promised everything as the clocks went forward to the extent that they probably wish that they went back more than an hour on Sunday morning.
Philippe Clement’s position as manager is safe, but only because there is nobody really to sack him given Creag Robertson’s resignation as head of football operations.
Before any thoughts of removing Clement from the Ibrox hot seat can be considered, appointing a CEO, sporting director/head of football operations and permanent chairman remain a priority for Rangers.
John Gilligan gives Rangers CEO and chairman hunt update
There has been news, of sorts, with interim chairman John Gilligan responding to the fan advisory board after being asked for an update on the club’s current hierarchy.
The minutes published by the club stated that:
“John Gilligan confirmed that a chairman would be appointed first, a professional non-executive position acting as a bridge between the executive board and the RIFC board, overseeing the company. The chairman will be based in Scotland.
“He noted that whilst the chairman appointment was progressing quickly, the CEO role was more complex, though recruitment efforts were moving swiftly with the help of a recruitment agency.”
To which a fan member of the board replied:
“The appointment of a CEO is arguably the most important appointment the club has faced in the last decade.”
Rangers CEO delay has cost them dear and must get it right
Stuart Langdon, the fan who asked the question, is right. Rangers are at a crossroads that could see the club go in either direction.
Things will either get worse or they will turn the corner and finally build the sort of stability needed to move forwards.
James Bisgrove was announced as leaving Rangers before last season finished. It might be a complex role, but a club of this size should have some sort of succession planning in place.
The consequences of getting the appointment wrong are not worth thinking about given the current climate and using a recruitment agency is the smart move.
A CEO with proven experience who has elite leadership of a football club is exactly what Rangers need, especially with their first job being to appoint a sporting director.
Until an appointment is made, Gilligan is steering a ship without a rudder.
