James Bisgrove to rescue Rangers with Saudi transfer moves after Ibrox debacle escape
James Bisgrove may have got wind of the Ibrox mess at Rangers and jumped ship to escape it, Derek Ferguson has suggested.
The former Gers CEO stunned the club’s hierarchy with a sudden departure to the Saudi Pro League’s newly-promoted Al Qadsiah at the end of the season [Scottish Sun, 30 May].
Ex-Ibrox midfielder Ferguson is less bothered by the gap in the Light Blues’ board room than the potential impact from the team being forced to play at Hampden due to the building work delays.
But with Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen struggling to sell various senior players to make room for new signings Bisgrove’s presence in the Middle East has been tipped as a solution.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “I don’t know who’s coming in [at CEO], I don’t know the ins and outs but maybe he got wind of what was happening and that’s why he got out the door as quick as he did down to Saudi.
“But he’s in Saudi, maybe he’ll be able to help us in terms of one or two outgoings. Maybe one or two of the boys will be playing their football towards the end of their careers [there].
“I always looked at it as a player, things that went on upstairs didnae impact me, or certainly not that dressing room that I was in.
“But with this debacle we’re not going to be starting at home because this building work’s not going to be carried out. That’s going to affect the players, that’s for sure, so that could have a big impact. I hope not but time will tell.”
Cyriel Dessers has Saudi interest as Rangers exit expected
Clement was always expected to implement a significant overhaul of the squad at Ibrox this summer but despite numerous exit links it is proving easier said than done to sell exit-linked names including Connor Goldson and Todd Cantwell.
Cyriel Dessers [Rangers Review, 3 July] and captain James Tavernier [Daily Record, 24 April] are two with links to Saudi exits although the latter is tipped to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
The faster moves can be done the better so if Bisgrove is in a position to raid the club for some transfer targets there is no time to lose.
Disruption with the stadium has only made it more important to get the squad settled as much as possible as the new campaign kicks off next month.
In other Rangers news, a transfer update has emerged from the Netherlands training camp with Nils Koppen seen “constantly” in communications in pursuit of signings.
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