'Big Bonus' - Pundit cites imminent boost at Rangers as double-appointment from England mooted

Rangers have been tipped to look to England for a new chief executive and chairman rather than among the “usual suspects”, by Tam McManus.

The former Hibs striker said on PLZ Soccer (18 September) that Dave King’s recent pitch to come back in as chairman is unlikely to be successful, with “good pedigree” from south of the border on the cards instead.

John Gilligan has replaced John Bennett on a temporary basis after the latter was forced to resign for health reasons, and the lack of certainty at the top is thought to be hampering efforts by Philippe Clement’s side to get back on track, although the imminent return to Ibrox is welcome.

He said (37m 35s): “Yeah I don’t think Dave King’s going to be back in, if he was he’d have been in by now, there’d have been talks behind the scenes. Obviously John Gilligan’s in at the minute.

“I think they’ll look outside the usual suspects and try and look maybe down south or whatever, somebody with a good pedigree to come in as the CEO and the chairman, they’re needing both now.

“It’s not ideal, things on the pitch are not great at the minute for Rangers, and this is not helping. But they’re back at Ibrox which is a big bonus for them.”

Rangers return to Ibrox from Hampden exile to face Dundee

A lack of stability from top down has surely had a negative impact on a succession of Gers managers so the quicker the rapid churn of suits in and out ends the better.

King has made clear he thinks he is the best man to solve the current crisis [Rangers Review, 15 September] but was expected to face opposition to a return from rival Douglas Park [Daily Record, 16 September], and is now set to be blocked by the Ibrox board [Daily Record, 16 September].

Gilligan’s priority is thought to be a new CEO to replace James Bisgrove rather than his own permanent successor [Rangers Review, 17 September], and the sooner he finds one the better to share the load.

On the pitch the 1-0 win at Dundee United last week at least provided a response to the nightmare Old Firm loss at Celtic.

It is impossible to quantify how much of an impact on the results and performances was caused by being forced into a tenancy at Hampden Park for home games thanks to the Copland Road Stand building work mess, but an Ibrox return will remove one distraction.

King has expressed his outrage at that episode being allowed to develop [Rangers Review, 16 September] but it doesn’t look like he will get a chance to avoid anything similar.

In other Rangers news, a former Celtic pundit has admitted he was “buzzing” to see the abuse directed at an ex-Ibrox ace.

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