As Rangers’ search for a manager continues, a TalkSPORT pundit has shared what he’s heard from one candidate’s camp that reflects badly on Kevin Thelwell and the Ibrox higher ups.
Latest on Rangers' search for a manager
After confirming that Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen and Sal Bibbo will lead Rangers against Dundee United this weekend, it’s clear that the 49ers are still finalising their next manager.
It’s no real surprise that they’ve shown plenty of patience when deciding the next man for the job, however. After all, Russell Martin lasted just 123 days and represents the dire start that the 49ers have endured at Ibrox. Simply put, after that failure, they must get their next appointment right.
With their patience has come several candidates, ranging from the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all the way to current favourite Kevin Muscat. The latter has emerged as an option for the second time in his career, having been linked with the job before Philippe Clement arrived in 2023.
Unlike 2023, however, the job could now be Muscat’s to take. The 52-year-old has enjoyed an excellent spell at Shanghai Port and is on course to win the Chinese Super League with just four games to go. But that hands Rangers quite the dilemma.
If they want to hire Muscat, then they may be forced to wait until November 22 before he officially arrives. That means that they’d have to find a temporary solution for the next seven games in a decision that would certainly do Thelwell no favours.
The sporting director is already under pressure and one talkSPORT pundit has now shared news that may only compile his misery at Ibrox.
Tanner shares "rumbles" in Gerrard camp
Speaking about the Liverpool legend’s recent decision to reject a return to Ibrox, talkSPORT pundit David Tanner shared what he’s heard from Steven Gerrard’s camp about Rangers, the 49ers and Thelwell.
“Well I think they’re exposed, there’s no doubt about it. The rumbles coming from Steven Gerrard’s camp was that he didn’t like what he saw when he looked under the bonnet at Rangers. The suggestion being that he wanted to make the signings which he did very well in his first time in charge of Rangers.
“Kevin Thelwell’s view, it would appear, is that it is his role at the football club. So that seems to be where the seeds of discontent were for Steven Gerrard as far as we’re aware.”
Given how things have started for Thelwell, from appointing Martin to signing a group of players that are yet to make their mark, more criticism is the last thing that he needs.
In the end, however, the 49ers were seemingly not ready to compromise their sporting director’s role to welcome Gerrard back to Ibrox. Whether they live to regret that decision will certainly be interesting to watch in the coming months.