Skip to main content

Graeme Souness doubles down on Rangers recruitment criticism after failed Ibrox return

The former Rangers manager believes the club's transfer strategy has been undermined by a lack of football expertise, more than two years after talks over an official Ibrox role collapsed.
Rangers FC v Motherwell FC - William Hill Premiership
Rangers FC v Motherwell FC - William Hill Premiership | Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

Graeme Souness has renewed his criticism of Rangers' recruitment structure, insisting the club will continue to struggle unless football decisions are made by people with genuine experience of the game.

Speaking today, the former Rangers manager argued that the biggest problems at Ibrox have stemmed from poor recruitment rather than anything happening on the pitch.

"You've got to get it right on the pitch and that's where Rangers in recent history have got it wrong," Souness said.

"The recruitment's not been good enough."

When asked how Rangers could address the issue, Souness offered a straightforward answer.

"You get football people in making football decisions. It's not rocket science."

Dundee United v Glasgow Rangers - William Hill Premiership 2026/27
Dundee United v Glasgow Rangers - William Hill Premiership 2026/27 | Craig Foy - SNS Group/GettyImages

The failed return to Ibrox

The comments continue a long-running theme from Souness, who has repeatedly questioned the club's recruitment model and executive structure since discussions over his own return to Ibrox broke down.

Following the dismissal of Michael Beale in October 2023, Rangers invited Souness to sit on the interview panel tasked with appointing a new manager.

The initial plan was for the club legend to transition into a permanent advisory position with significant influence over football operations once the recruitment process had concluded.

However, those talks ultimately collapsed and in March 2024, Souness confirmed he would not be returning to Rangers after rejecting what he felt was a largely ceremonial ambassadorial role.

Instead, he had wanted a hands-on football position with genuine influence over recruitment and sporting strategy rather than acting as a figurehead.

Greame Souness
Rangers v Celtic - Scottish Gas Scottish Cup | Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

Souness continues to question Rangers' decision makers

Since then, Souness has consistently argued that Rangers need more experienced football voices involved in key decision-making.

He again questioned the reliance on data-led recruitment during his latest media appearance.

"If you're giving that power to someone who's never played the game, you're asking for trouble," he said.

"I know everything is based on stats and numbers. That only takes you so far.

"Let football people make football decisions.

"If someone who's never kicked a ball is making those shouts, if it's all to do with stats and figures and analysts looking at computer screens with lots of numbers, you've got no chance.

"I don't care what anyone says, it doesn't work."

Souness has previously described Rangers' recruitment in recent years as "not good enough" and has also questioned the football experience within the club's leadership structure.

Derek McInnes
Dundee United v Glasgow Rangers - William Hill Premiership 2026/27 | Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

Derek McInnes reshapes Gers squad

His latest remarks come during Derek McInnes' first transfer window as Rangers manager, with the club having already recruited eight new first-team players this summer.

McInnes has added Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Dan Neil, Cammy Devlin, Olwethu Makhanya and Vanja Dragojevic as he looks to reshape the squad and close the gap at the top of Scottish football.

Whether those additions represent the kind of recruitment Souness has called for will only become clear as the new campaign unfolds.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations