Rangers have made a significant behind-the-scenes appointment ahead of a crucial summer transfer window, with Stig Inge Bjornebye confirmed in a permanent role.
The former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers defender has been working as a football advisor at the club since December, playing an influential role in shaping Rangers’ off-field structure during a turbulent second half of the season.
Now, according to an exclusive from Chris Jack at the Rangers Review, Bjornebye has committed to the club on a permanent basis, taking up the newly created position of performance director as the Gers prepare for life under Derek McInnes.
The appointment represents another piece of Andrew Cavenagh’s collaborative football structure clicking into place – a model built on shared responsibility rather than the traditional sporting director model that was abandoned following Kevin Thelwell’s sacking last November.
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Bjornebye confirmed as Rangers step up summer recruitment
In his new role, Bjornebye will oversee the performance departments and academy set-up at Auchenhowie, working alongside technical director Dan Purdy and Gretar Steinsson of 49ers Enterprises in what Cavenagh has described as a “smaller, nimbler, more entrepreneurial” executive approach.
David McCallum remains in interim charge of the youth structure following the collapse of plans to appoint Jonathan Hunter-Barrett late last year, and is expected to continue in that position under Bjornebye’s department for the foreseeable future.
With McInnes now confirmed as manager – not head coach – and set to begin work with the squad next week, attention turns sharply to the transfer window.
Lawrence Shankland remains the only arrival of the summer so far, and Rangers are expected to significantly accelerate their recruitment drive in the coming weeks ahead of both the Premiership campaign and the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
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What it means for the Gers
Bjornebye brings considerable experience to the role, having previously held positions at Rosenborg and Aarhus, as well as his extensive knowledge of Scandinavian football markets, which has already proven invaluable in identifying targets this summer.
Rangers have been linked with several Scandinavian players this summer, with the club holding meetings with the representatives of Hampus Skoglund at Hammarby, among others.
Cavenagh promised to get the Light Blues’ “fingernails dirty”. Bjornebye’s permanent appointment is evidence that the promise is being kept – methodically, professionally and with clear intent.
