Rangers board pull off Ibrox coup as Manchester United verdict shared

Mark Critchley believes Patrick Stewart has enough "pedigree" from his previous role at Manchester United to make his Rangers stint as their new CEO worthwhile.

Stewart has come in to replace James Bisgrove and will fully start in the role at Ibrox on 16 December.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast (26 November), The Atheltic's Manchester United writer Critchley shared his thoughts on the Gers' appointment.

"Chief executives are like referees in that it's probably best if you don't notice them and you don't know what they're getting up to," he said.

"But I think he's got the track record, he's got the pedigree. [He's had] the responsibility for maintaining relationships with key people at the Premier League, FA and UEFA.

"He also worked with the ECA, so he's somebody who has been in the room in big situations, even if you haven't heard his name before.

"He has the relevant experience, the necessary experience, and there's no reason to think he hasn't got the know-how to do a job like this properly."

Rangers finally taking steps in the right direction by hiring Patrick Stewart

The Scottish Premiership already feels like it's a write-off for Rangers due to the 11-point gap that separates them from league leaders Celtic.

The fact that the Gers still find themselves third in the league is unforgivable for a team of their calibre and it's understandable why fans are starting to become fed up with their team.

Clement's job has been hanging on by a thread for as long as most can remember, and one of the main reasons why the Belgian has likely kept his job for so long is because the club can't afford to part ways with him.

The 50-year-old has already been linked with the Belgian national team job after Dominic Tedesco's men put in a rather poor showing over the recent international break with the team even losing to Israel.

With Stewart's appointment likely the first of many this season, it at least shows that the club knows they need to make some moves soon otherwise they could be left rather red-faced by the end of the term.

In other Rangers news, a transfer budget twist for Philippe Clement has been mooted.

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