Ross Wilson days at Ibrox to be numbered if Rangers lose v Celtic in Viaplay Cup final
Ross Wilson could well find his days as Rangers sporting director numbered if the Gers don’t come out victorious in their crucial Viaplay Cup final clash with Celtic.
The Light Blues have the chance to continue their impressive unbeaten start and more crucially, win their first title under Michael Beale’s management, but face off against their rivals who are in better fettle.
Celtic sit top of the Scottish Premiership table ahead of their fierce rivals by nine points and have the chance to pick up their third gong under Ange Postecoglu after winning the league and cup double last year.
A defeat for Rangers on Sunday could prove incredibly damaging for Beale and his men but also highlight the gulf in class between the two teams, not just on the pitch but off it too.
Beale admitted this week [21 February], that he was ultimately in the Rangers job to win the league title ahead of Sunday’s pivotal tie but right now the club seem way off Celtic in the race, despite adding quality to their squad in January.
And a defeat on Sunday could potentially mount increasing pressure on transfer chief Wilson, who has in the past come under scrutiny [Football Scotland, 7 December] for the club’s transfer dealings.
Beale stated earlier this month that the Gers have too many players on their books and that he’d like to cut the group down by 11 or 12 players this summer, which came as a huge hint to Wilson who faces a pivotal summer, in what is expected to be a major squad rebuild at Ibrox.
While rivals Celtic have managed to be ruthless enough in getting rid of players no longer needed, the Gers transfer chief has struggled to streamline an arguably ageing squad with the likes of Allan McGregor, injury-prone Filip Helander, Steve Davis and Kemar Roofe whilst also still possessing players no longer in Beale’s long-term plans.
Also, key stars Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are still yet to be tied down to new deals.
The lack of ruthlessness and hesitancy from within the club’s board to rid of players no longer needed in the last few years is costing the club a lot of money but more significantly, could cost Beale the titles he craves at Celtic’s expense.
The pressure is on Wilson, especially if the Gers lose this Sunday.
In other Rangers news, Alan Rough has predicted the score for the game against Celtic.