Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell says the club expects to be “fairly active” in the January transfer window, but club legend Graeme Souness has publicly questioned whether Thelwell should be trusted with the financial backing required to strengthen the squad.
In a wide-ranging Rangers TV interview, Thelwell outlined his approach to the upcoming window, emphasising that planning began immediately after the summer deadline passed.
“You’ve probably got a couple of days’ grace after any transfer window finishes,” he explained.
“But then the work really starts in earnest.”
Thelwell said the club has already completed a full review of their recent business, what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve, with new head coach Danny Röhl now central to the process.
Röhl to Lead the January Strategy
The managerial change shortly after the summer window meant Röhl had no influence over previous signings. Thelwell confirmed this will not be the case in January.
“We’re very, very keen to make sure he is an integral part of that process going forwards,” he said.
Röhl has now spent weeks analysing the squad, leading to a key meeting where both sides discussed what the team needs and where upgrades are required.
“It really is about Danny having the final say,” Thelwell stated.
“It’s important you don’t bring players the head coach doesn’t want to sign off on.”
“We Expect to Be Fairly Active”
Thelwell made it clear Rangers plan to move decisively once the window opens.
“We do expect to be fairly active,” he said, in the strongest indication yet that Ibrox will look to reshape key areas of the squad mid-season.
Targets have already been identified, with Thelwell noting that plans will be shaped by:
• Röhl’s detailed assessment of the squad
• Internal review of the summer dealings
• Input from ownership and football operations staff
But Souness is not convinced
Graeme Souness, however, has publicly cast doubt on whether Kevin Thelwell should be entrusted with January’s transfer spend.
Souness pulled no punches when asked about Thelwell overseeing another recruitment cycle.
“Would you trust Kevin Thelwell with another chunk of money?
“I don't know if Rangers have another chunk of money to go again in the new year,” Souness said.
He went further, questioning the quality of the signings made during the summer transfer window.
Souness said some of the recent arrivals are “just not good enough”, adding that the recruitment “has not shown that it’s been a good transfer window” for the new regime.
He described the club’s transfer activity as “disappointing” and admitted it has “left him cold.”
It’s a harsh assessment, and one that adds pressure and turns up the heat on Thelwell ahead of January.
A crucial window for the new structure
Thelwell’s January plans represent the first full test of the club’s evolving football operations model:
• A Sporting Director driving strategy
• A Technical Director focusing on recruitment
• A Head Coach with final approval
• A growing data department informing decisions
The structure is increasingly modern - but now must deliver.
Supporters have been vocal about the need for higher-calibre signings, and Souness’s critique only amplifies that demand.
Will January define the new era?
The message from Thelwell is clear:
• Rangers will act
• Röhl will lead the technical decisions
• The club believes improvements can be made immediately
The message from Souness was equally clear:
• The summer wasn’t good enough
• Thelwell must prove he’s the right man to control the rebuild
• Rangers cannot afford another misstep
With the window now weeks away, all eyes will be on what Thelwell and Röhl deliver – can they turn opinion or will Souness prove to be correct in his warning.