Patrick Stewart torn to shreds over latest Rangers U-turn
Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart has been slammed for his lack of impact since moving to Ibrox in December 2024.
The Gers’ chief put an end to an 18-year stint at Manchester United at the end of last year to make a switch to Govan.
During his spell at Old Trafford, the C-Suite executive took on four different roles with his most recent being as CEO and board director.
After just a year in that role, he took the leap and joined the Light Blues but it is fair to say things haven’t gone swimmingly after Philippe Clement was sacked last month.
Hugh Keevins slams Stewart for Barry Ferguson appointment at Rangers
The Belgian had come under pressure all season long and as a result, it wasn’t a shock to anyone when the sack trigger was pulled in G51.
As a replacement option, it did appear to make sense that Ferguson was given the opportunity to stabilise the Gers for the rest of the campaign.
Other than upcoming Europa League clashes against Fenerbahce, there is little to play for in Govan so an interim boss seemed to be a wise call.
With that being said, Keevins has been left unimpressed by the work of Stewart to bring in the ex-midfielder in yet another “populist move” as CEO.
Writing for the Daily Record (2 March), Keevins slammed the executive, saying: “I wrote here last week that the expression was the first one I waited to hear used by a caller on radio whenever Rangers were stunned by some calamitous development on the park.
“I remain unimpressed by the notion that having played for the club with great distinction is an automatic guarantee of possessing transformative powers when it comes to reversing the fortunes of the team if it goes into a state of distress.
“It was a populist move carried out by a chief executive, Patrick Stewart, who has performed more u-turns than a learner driver since assuming office at Ibrox last December. The dictionary definition of populism is something which “aims to appeal to ordinary people”.
“If that was Rangers’ intention, it did not have the desired effect on the first radio caller after the announcement of Ferguson’s appointment. He said what had taken place was a case of the Ibrox hierarchy “pulling the wool” over the eyes of supporters. So much for the popular vote.”
Ferguson has mixed start in charge of Rangers
It is fair to say that the 47-year-old has had a very mixed bag since taking up a role in the Light Blues’ dugout.
His opening encounter saw the Gers fall 2-0 behind after less than 20 minutes to Kilmarnock but his side recovered to win 4-2 an there was plenty of positivity taken from the win.
The same fortune wasn’t afforded to Ferguson in his second match in charge as Motherwell travelled to Govan and took all three points.
Despite a third Cyriel Dessers goal in two games under new management, Michael Wimmer’s side took a 2-1 victory away from Ibrox.
| Stat | Rangers | Motherwell |
| Possession | 65 | 35 |
| Expected goals | 1.21 | 0.76 |
| Shots | 22 | 6 |
| Accurate Passes | 435 | 200 |
The home side had the better of the ball and the chances and still fell to defeat in a similar showing to that of a Clement side.
This will only result in further complaints towards Stewart who brought the ex-midfielder in as head coach and now has plenty of huge decisions to make heading towards the summer.