Rangers: Tom English surprised by Graeme Souness comments on talkSPORT
BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English is surprised Graeme Souness publicly admitted Frank Lampard was his first choice to become the new Rangers manager.
The former Gers player and coach played a consultancy role in finding Michael Beale’s successor at Ibrox, with Philippe Clement ultimately landing the job on 15 October.
Souness told talkSPORT on Thursday (26 October) that he felt Lampard “had the edge” over Clement and the other candidates, but he did not have the final say in the appointment.
In a post on his personal Twitter account later on Thursday (26 October), English said: “Graeme Souness, Rangers consultant, wanted Frank Lampard to be the new Rangers manager.
“That’s, er, quite a thing to admit to on national radio.”
Awkward
Souness is expected to stay on behind the scenes at Rangers in some capacity, making any interaction with Clement in the Ibrox corridors somewhat awkward.
The 70-year-old has also sung Clement’s praises and stated he is happy with the appointment, but these latest comments make clear that he was not his first choice to succeed Beale.
More so, there was a large section of the Rangers fanbase that was massively against Lampard being appointed, so Souness was clearly unable to read the room.
It would have been a hugely uninspiring choice, whereas Clement brings some freshness and excitement with him following successful spells across Europe.
All that being said, it will be good to have a Rangers legend playing a role high up at the club as he is someone who knows the game and has the Gers’ best interests at heart.
In other Rangers news, Beale could inadvertently be to thank for a massive windfall potentially heading the Gers’ way.