Rangers have made 'strange' behind-the-scenes appointment - Ex-SPL CEO
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(Credit: Imago) Mon 30 March 2026 7:00, UK Rangers may not have made the right decision hiring Jim Gillespie to become their new chief executive.That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Gillespie begins work in his new role at Ibrox.Rangers announced Gillespie would become the club’s next chief executive in January, a month after Patrick Stewart was sacked.Gillespie joined from fellow Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, where he spent five years and was also vice-chairman.Rangers, owned by 49ers Enterprises, are looking to strengthen on and offer the pitch with the US-based consortium at the helm, and that could be boosted if the club can win the Scottish Premiership title this season. 💰 Rangers Finance Update 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, stadium news, and the latest boardroom developments at Ibrox. VISIT THE RANGERS FINANCE HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Jim Gillespie ‘has his hands full’ at RangersAberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes it will not be an easy job for Gillespie at Rangers.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness “feels sorry” for St Mirren following Gillespie’s departure from the Paisley club.Total Turnover (2024-25)£94.1mTakeover Capital Injection£20mClosing Cash Balance£30.5mPre-Player Trading Profit£2.7mFigures based on official 2024/25 Rangers FC annual reports and the May 2025 49ers Enterprises/Cavenagh majority takeover deal.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I still think he’s a strange appointment, but anyway, he’s there and he’s got the job.
“I feel sorry for St Mirren, who’ve lost a manager, and now Mr Gillespie’s gone as well, which seems a bit unfair to a club like St Mirren who’ve tried their best. “And so, look, it’s never been an easy job to come into the Old Firm.
I remember I was offered the job once, but for many reasons I decided not to take the Rangers job and I think probably a lot of the Rangers fans are very happy as well that I didn’t. “But still, he’s going to have his hands full, but I wish him the best.” Rangers show interest in Liverpool midfielderSources have told Football Insider that Rangers are pursuing Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson alongside rivals Celtic ahead of the summer transfer window.Stephenson, who can also play in defence, has spent the past two campaigns at Dundee United, and Liverpool could now sanction the sale of the 22-year-old in the summer.Across 28 Scottish Premiership starts this season, Stephenson has contributed five goals and four assists.