Ross Wilson and Stewart Robertson react at Rangers AGM as transfer record is branded a ‘disaster’
Ross Wilson and Stewart Robertson disputed suggestions that the recent Rangers transfer record has been a “disaster” at the club AGM.
The pair were grilled on Tuesday morning (6 December) on the perceived failures in the transfer market, with the likes of John Souttar, Juninho Bacuna and Rabbi Matondo cited as examples, and Wilson’s job security was questioned.
But the Gers managing director backed his under-fire sporting director, while both pushed back against the figures quoted, with Robertson branding the suggestion that Bacuna had cost £2million “nonsense”.
Tweeting from the AGM, Colin from the Heart & Hand podcast relayed what was put to the board: “Question 10 – in terms of signings under Ross Wilson on the whole they have been a disaster and failed.
“Why did you sanction a Center back from hearts with that injury record? Do the board believe RW is the right man to be doing his job.”
He then posted the responses from Robertson and Wilson: “SR – yes we do. The progress under Ross Wilson has been outstanding.
“RW – without being too direct none of the figures you quoted are correct. I don’t sign football players. Bacuna was a free transfer suggested by coaching staff we made a profit on him.”
In addition, the Daily Record reported Robertson answering: “Short answer is yes. Where the football department is miles ahead than three years ago.
“None of your figures are correct. Ross Wilson doesn’t sign players. I oversee the department. It’s nonsense to say we signed Bacunha for 2m. He was a free transfer.”
While on long-term absentee Souttar, Wilson answered, via the Daily Record: “We knew John Souttar’s injury track record but we believe we can manage that. We might be wrong but we believe he can be a big player for Rangers.”
And via Colin from Heart & Hand on Twitter: “RW – We went into the Soutter signing with our eyes open we believe he will contribute. Not every player needs to play 60 matches a season but we need Scottish players.”
Pushback
Well it certainly looks like any fans or shareholders that were hoping Wilson had been put on notice based on his recent record in the transfer market are going to be disappointed.
Whatever the plans that were made behind the scenes for those signings it can’t be argued that the past two transfer windows, at least, haven’t been a roaring success at Ibrox.
So it might have been a better look to at least acknowledge that fact rather than apparently bristling at the criticism, which won’t endear either man to a sceptical fanbase.
Clearly, had Souttar been able to stay fit he would represent a very solid signing on a free transfer, and it is always easy to criticise a move that hasn’t worked out in hindsight.
But the confusion over the Bacuna move to Birmingham after just six SPFL appearances with Rangers following his arrival from Huddersfield isn’t surprising, and likely not a mistake, given that the specifics were kept under wraps [The Scotsman, 27 January].
Signing the likes of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo for nominal fees and selling them on for huge profits is obviously a strong achievement for Wilson and company, but if he wishes to distance himself from the Bacuna signing he also can’t take full credit for the successes.
And since Steven Gerrard, with new boss Michael Beale on the staff, won the 55th title it is fair to ask what the Light Blues have done to consolidate that.
John Lundstram and maybe Fashion Sakala arriving on frees can probably be considered good moves, while the signing of Antonio Colak in the summer has gone well, but the list of flops is far, far longer, and the nine-point gap to Celtic now shows that in terms of points.
So it is no surprise that Wilson’s position has been questioned, yet his straight-bat response and Robertson’s forceful defence has shown some disregard for the understandable disappointment at the current state of the squad.
In other Rangers news, a harshly-treated member of the first team back in Glasgow had sympathy expressed for him live at the World Cup by a BBC commentator.