Rangers takeover twist as future on the line for every single Ibrox star
Rangers’ 2-0 defeat against Hibernian on Saturday served as a reminder that there is plenty of work to be done at Ibrox.
The defeat means that the Gers have now lost five consecutive games on home turf, a worrying statistic which shows a regression of form.
Although Barry Ferguson has got his side performing on the road, the latest defeat will no doubt have supporters pining for the end of the campaign and a potential takeover.
Alan Hutton looks ahead to Rangers takeover
It is yet to be completed but the 49ers Enterprises are looking to secure a takeover of the Light Blues ahead of the new season.
If this deal goes through, it will give the new boss increased backing in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad.
Who that manager will be is yet to be decided but if Ferguson wants to stake his claim for the permanent position, he has some serious problems to fix before the end of the campaign.
| Rangers last five at Ibrox | |
| v Hibernian | 0-2 |
| v Fenerbahce | 0-2 |
| v Motherwell | 1-2 |
| v St Mirren | 0-2 |
| v Queen’s Park | 0-1 |
Alan Hutton has argued it isn’t just the boss who has to be concerned about his future, though, with a serious new era set to be started at Ibrox.
Speaking to the Daily Record (8 April), the former Rangers man said: “I think everybody’s pretty much in the same boat.
“Whoever comes in, whether it be someone new or whether it’s Barry, the hierarchy will be saying, do we need a rebuild? Everybody’s playing for their future. It doesn’t matter who you are.
“Things aren’t going to turn around in the space of one transfer window. You’re going to need two or three.
“But the big thing for me going forward is recruitment. Of course, the manager, whoever it will be, is important, but then the recruitment side of it has to be right too.
“If you want to bridge that gap to Celtic at this moment in time, it’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of ins and outs.
“It’ll be interesting to see what direction they go in, but we’re going to have to wait for the takeover to happen first. That’s the key element to all of this, and then where they go from there. But I think the squad does need a lot of work.”
Rangers squad have to rise to challenge
Although there is expected to be increased investment at Ibrox in the summer, the likelihood of an entire squad being overhauled is low.
Therefore, the new boss – whether that be Ferguson or a 49ers appointment – will be required to make a quick decision on who can be part of the spine of the Rangers side going ahead.
As Hutton says, there have been few players who have covered themselves in too much glory in Glasgow this season so with that in mind, no one can count themselves as being too safe yet.
The 49ers will be eager to hit the ground running upon their arrival to the Scottish Premiership with sights set on competing with Celtic at the top of the table.
Therefore, those in Light Blue have the remaining period of the season to prove that they do have the quality required and gain a position in the team for next season.
Anyone who does not reach the required standards will not be kept around to continue dragging the standards down.