Rangers chatting with 'excellent candidates' over key role as Celtic hero advises ace against joining club
A round-up of key headlines from Celtic and Rangers
Rangers and Celtic are both preparing for a watershed moment in their season as they approach the January transfer window.
The Light Blues are trailing champions Celtic by 11 points after just 12 games and will need a hugely productive month of transfer activity if they are to try and bridge the gap.
Uncertainty behind the scenes has dominated the headlines at Ibrox in recent months, but fans will hope that the appointment of former Manchester United CEO Patrick Stewart will get the club moving in the right direction.
Stewart will begin his new role in mid-December shortly after Rangers’ crucial European clash with Tottenham Hotspur and the Premier Sports final against rivals Celtic.
Rangers chairman update
After appointing a new CEO, Rangers will now turn to the hunt for a chairman - and one name that has dominated the headlines in recent months is Tory peer and parliamentarian Malcolm Offord.
In recent months, reports have claimed that Offord would replace John Bennett after he stepped down due to health reasons.
However, in the statement confirming Stewart’s arrival, Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan pulled the brakes on an immediate decision by suggesting that the club are still in talks with a number of ‘excellent candidates.’
The statement reads: “On behalf of the board, I’m delighted to welcome Patrick to the club as CEO,” Gilligan told Rangers following the appointment of Stewart.
“Patrick comes with an excellent reputation and background, bringing extensive experience of operating at senior levels during his 20-plus years in football.
“The board continues in discussions with several excellent candidates for the role of Chairperson and expect to make an announcement of an appointment in the coming weeks.”
Celtic icon warns midfielder to avoid January move to Parkhead
Celtic legend Pat Bonner has warned Motherwell starlet Lennon Miller against signing for the Hoops in January as hype continues to rise around the teenager.
The 18-year-old has recorded four goals and four assists from 19 appearances this season and has also been heavily praised for his tireless workrate and tenacity off the ball to win possession back for his team.
The Scotland Under-19 sensation is edging closer to a first senior call up and is naturally attracting interest from a number of top clubs, including Celtic, Rangers, Manchester United and Chelsea.
But Bonner insists Miller should carry on his development at Fir Park and has claimed that he would struggle to even make the bench at this stage if he moved to Parkhead.
Bonner explained, via the Scottish Football Podcast: “Luke McCowan when he came in made a huge impact,” said Bonner. “Never looked out of place because he suits that profile of player that Brendan wants.
“Lennon Miller, great player, great ability on the ball. A great passer of the ball. But to come in here, he could end up not getting into that squad. That would be a shame.
“He has to keep getting games. He has to keep playing games and that’s critical.”