Rangers given criteria advice for next board appointments as Celtic star addresses Scotland return whispers
Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness has given Rangers some advice ahead of their CEO and sporting director appointments
Rangers have overseen dramatic changes this season and now find themselves on the market for a new CEO and sporting director, following the dismissal of Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell.
The duo had come under fire from frustrated fans earlier in the season, particularly during Russell Martin’s brief stint as manager. Rangers sacked the former Southampton boss after a miserable run and have since replaced him with Danny Rohl.
The Gers are still looking to replace Stewart and Thelwell, and former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness has provided some advice to follow while the search is underway.
Keith Wyness stresses what Rangers need in new chief and sporting director
Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy, wants to see Rangers target figures with more experience when it comes to making their next big appointments.
“It’s very rare to see a CEO and a sporting director sacked on the same day. Normally you try and not destabilise the whole club. You try and maybe do one after another at different times,” he told Football Insider.
“But I think what they’ve learnt and I think the downfall for both of them probably was their strength of personality and the way that they handled the media and the communication with the fans. I don’t think Patrick Stewart was a great communicator. I don’t think he had the strength of personality. And I don’t think Kevin Thelwell did the same either.
“So I think if you’re going to be chief executive of Rangers, and I was asked quite a long time ago and I did turn it down, then I would say you’ve got to be a very forthright, strong personality and really understand the rough and tumble of Glasgow.
“And as a sporting director, you’ve got to have more than just a level of understanding of the Premier League, which is what Thelwell had. I think you’ve got to be a bit broader and more experienced than that. And I think I’d want somebody a little bit older.”
Callum McGregor addresses Scotland return rumours
Following Scotland’s stunning qualification for next year’s World Cup, Celtic captain Callum McGregor has addressed discussions among fans that they would like to see him return to the international stage.
The midfielder announced his retirement from the Scotland national team after Euro 2024. Now, with the chance to play in the World Cup, McGregor has addressed the possibility of coming out of retirement to help Steve Clarke’s side next summer.
“To be honest, it's not something I've thought of. Obviously the guys have done amazing, they qualified in the last international break,” the 32-year-old admitted.
“I’ve a lot of good teammates and good friends in there, so I'm so happy for them. And for me, I just want to concentrate on the job I've got here. I don't want to get drawn into anything like that.
“I've got a big, big job here, change of manager soon probably, so I'll just keep trying to play well and help the team and whatever will be, will be.”