Rangers set to forge ahead with change in leadership

The clamour for change at Rangers has finally been heard. The boardroom reshuffle will see the departure of managing director Stewart Robertson, chairman Douglas Park and sporting director Ross Wilson.

While their reign will be viewed as a mixed bag, their successors now have an opportunity to steer the club in a new direction.

Continuity will remain through director John Bennett, who replaced Park as chairman, and James Bisgrove, the newly appointed chief executive officer.

However, the role left vacant by Wilson must be filled urgently as manager Michael Beale attempts to build a squad capable of success on both domestic and European fronts.

Recent seasons have brought triumphs like the 55th league title, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup. But for a club of Rangers’ stature, this is not enough.

The personnel changes now underway have been a long time coming and, like Wilson’s move to Nottingham Forest, Robertson’s departure comes at an opportune moment for all parties.

A new work opportunity outside football arose for Robertson, and remaining at Ibrox given the fans’ views of him would have been foolish.

“As a lifelong supporter of Rangers, it has been a privilege to hold this post for the past eight years,” Robertson said.

"“I’m very proud of what the supporters, the Board, the investors, the players, management teams, and our loyal staff, all working together, have achieved in that period. I would like to thank everyone for their incredible support, without which it wouldn’t have been possible.”"

When key figures like chairmen, chief executives, managers or sporting directors are appointed, the hope is always that the club will be in a better state upon their departure.

By that measure, Robertson achieved his aims. His legacy is complex, however, and the board’s warm words may not reflect supporters’ views.

Bennett thanked him for his ‘tireless work and commitment to the club’ but fans will point out Celtic’s trophy dominance and Rangers’ lack of influence at Hampden and Holyrood as failures under Robertson. Closer to home, communication and fan engagement seem worse than ever.

The Sydney Super Cup fiasco, which Bisgrove was sent to justify, was a situation Robertson would never recover from. Rightly or wrongly, he seemed passive rather than proactive.

His image was hung from the same banner as Wilson’s just weeks ago, vindicating those who held it.

Rangers set to forge ahead with change in leadership

Robertson’s work is not finished yet. He will remain until July, helping finalise transfers Beale is overseeing. He will guide Bisgrove, commercial and marketing director, into the top job.

"“In the past four years, I’ve witnessed first-hand what this great club means to our supporters worldwide, and, together with our Chairman, John Bennett, and the Board, we will work tirelessly to achieve the success Rangers supporters deserve,” Bisgrove said. “My immediate priority is to ensure Michael Beale and his staff continue to have the resources and environment they require to put a winning team on the pitch and to deliver regular trophies for our supporters.“This will be underpinned by overseeing the continuation of our positive financial performance and sustained profitability off the pitch. I’m personally looking forward to energising our engagement with all Rangers supporters and overseeing a strengthened and aligned culture.”"

Fans should expect Bisgrove to be more visible and accountable. Key figures have too often been conspicuous by their absence at important times.

Bisgrove divides opinion but has clear room for progress. Change at Ibrox took too long but has finally come. The future is unwritten but the past will not be repeated. The opportunity at hand must not be wasted.

Out with the old: Rangers set to forge ahead with new leadership

By Hikithe Achumi | Apr 26, 2023

Rangers set to forge ahead with change in leadership