Graeme Souness reveals disappointment after Rangers talks
Former Rangers midfielder Graeme Souness has revealed his disappointment at having not been able to return to Ibrox as an ambassador despite many discussions.
Souness played and managed the Light Blues in the late 1980s and early 90s and the former Sky Sports Pundit has admitted that he met with chief executive James Bisgrove on several occasions to discuss the possibility of a new role.
However, no such agreement could be reached between the now 70-year-old and the Ibrox club with Souness declining one offer and he still holds a feeling of disappointment he couldn’t make a Rangers return.
Speaking on The Big Scottish Football Podcast (3 August), Souness said: “Am I disappointed? I suppose I am. I still think I’ve got my marbles and at my age, I still remember what you have to do to win football matches. I felt I had something to offer but maybe it wasn’t seen as a road they wanted to go down from their point.
“Without going into any great detail, I had a couple of meetings with James Bisgrove but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me. I’m a great believer you can never have enough football people around the place.
“There was no clash. It is my team and I will only ever wish them well. They’re not a million miles behind Celtic, Celtic are obviously in the box seat because of their recent success and the belief they carry going into the new season.
“But we’ve got a new manager with new players, and hopefully win the first Old Firm game, put the pressure back on Celtic and see how they deal with it rather than us dealing with it.”
Expectations are high
There is a growing feeling that the gap between Celtic and Rangers has been closed this summer, with Michael Beale carrying out some incredible transfer business and bringing a feeling of excitement to Ibrox.
Souness is one of many to tout the idea that the Gers may be able to ruffle the feathers of their Old Firm Rivals so there is a target on Celtic’s back. What heightened expectations do bring though, is more criticism and if things don’t click quickly for Beale he will know about it.
The signing of Jose Cifuentes has once again lifted the mood of the Rangers’ fanbase and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down in the transfer market any time soon, with Beale potentially wanting another new face through the door in defence.
But while there is so much positive feeling about a new midfielder arriving in Glasgow, it is a shame that those in charge at Ibrox weren’t able to find a role for a midfield hero of years gone by. Hopefully, Souness will get his Rangers return in some fashion one day.
In other Rangers news, Scott Wright’s Ibrox exit has broken down after contract issues arose