Graeme Souness backed to create Rangers ‘culture’ after Michael Beale sack with Ibrox legend unimpressed by club hierarchy
Graeme Souness returning to Rangers would “create a culture” that is needed to improve things after the sacking of Michael Beale, according to Simon Jordan
The talkSPORT pundit said live on the station on 2 October that the Gers legend wasn’t “hugely impressed” with those in charge at Ibrox after holding talks with James Bisgrove in the summer, but is needed to “wake them up”.
Beale was sacked on Sunday (1 October) after losing to Aberdeen left the club seven points behind Celtic already, and Jim White has highlighted the respect that Souness still commands in Gers circles ahead of a potential return.
After Stuart Pearce suggested Souness would have to go in before the new manager was appointed White said: “Yeah, if you’re going to bring Souness in he’s got to be part of the decision-making regards the manager.
“Steven Davis is in the for the time being but Souness around and about? I do know, Simon, there was a hush when Souness got on his feet with me on Saturday night to speak at the Walter Smith tribute dinner.”
“Of course there would be,” said Jordan. “Graeme represents an era that people hark back to… I don’t necessarily agree that Souness going up there and not being involved in the managerial appointment would be problematic.
“But he would create a culture that is far different in that club than the one I think is in there right now. He would bridge the gap from a boardroom, that is detached from reality of what’s required to make Rangers successful, and the dug-out.
“He would wake them up… I spoke to him about some of the conversations he had with people up at Rangers, some of the people they’ve got involved there and their outlook on the world.
“I don’t think Graeme was particularly enamoured, not just with the fact that it might just be a slightly watered down ambassadorial role, I think it might have been a little bit more than that, but their way of operating.
“The things they think are important for Rangers. The manner with which they represent themselves. I don’t think Graeme was hugely impressed.”
SOS
Given how the club seems to be moving further away from eras of dominance in the past rather than closer there is an argument to do whatever they can to tap into previous success.
But the board presumably thought it was doing that last year when it appointed Beale largely off the back of his time at the club as an assistant to Steven Gerrard for the 55th title win.
That has now proven to be a major misstep, and whether Souness has been away from the day-to-day running of a club for too long to have the influence needed is perhaps a valid concern.
Rangers had a big opportunity to reel in Celtic this summer by capitalising on the departure of Ange Postecoglou, but Beale looks to have blown that by getting his squad overhaul wrong.
If Souness were to come back it would make sense for him to be in tune with whoever is given the manager’s job next.
Unless Beale’s successor can get the best out of his new arrivals then there is scope for friction with the board who may not be able to fund another set of signings.
The club have backed themselves into a corner and their next moves are going to be crucial to rescue the season before it is out of sight.
In other Rangers news, a potential job interview for a candidate expected to get the job at some point has drawn a “very surprised” reaction.