Credit: Imago

Dakir Thanveer

Thu 24 April 2025 21:35, UK

Gretar Steinsson appears to be pulling the strings at Rangers on the 49ers’ behalf amid Kevin Thelwell’s appointment.

Rangers and the 49ers put out a joint statement on Wednesday (23 April), confirming that they are in discussions over a takeover at Ibrox.

Soon after, the Premiership heavyweights announced that they had hired Thelwell as their new sporting director, with the Welshman set to join once his contract with Everton expires.

The appointment has left at least a few confused, particularly as the proposed takeover by Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe is yet to be finalised.

Keith Jackson moots Steinsson role at Rangers

Keith Jackson has poured cold water on any suggestions that the incoming owners were not involved in Thelwell’s appointment, claiming it would make ‘no sense’ for the Rangers board to make the decision themselves at this stage.

The Record journalist explained that it is only a matter of time before the takeover is completed and feels the 49ers are already making big decisions at Ibrox.

He suggested that Steinsson might have been involved in hiring Thelwell as the Gers’ new sporting director, as their paths crossed at Everton.

Jackson claimed that the former New York Red Bulls’ executive’s appointment would have received the incoming owners’ approval by all means.

“It would make no sense at all if this [Thelwell] appointment was being made kind of unilaterally by the current Rangers board ahead of a takeover”, Jackson said on Hotline Live (24 April).

“Listen, the fact that they were aligned in putting out a joint statement last night tells you they are lockstep just now as they move towards the takeover.

“Gretar Steinsson, I think their paths crossed when they were together at Everton, and I think that shows perhaps the little bit of the 49ers influence in this decision.

“I refuse to believe [otherwise], it’d just be nonsensical if this appointment was being made ahead of a takeover, because if the new guys that come don’t like the director of sport, the first thing they have to do is pay him off.

“So, that makes no sense at all.”

Steinsson to make manager decision at Ibrox

As Jackson said, Steinsson was in fact employed by Everton at one point. He served as a scout and subsequently as a chief scout for the Toffees for three years between 2018 and 2021.

However, Thelwell did not join the Goodison Park outfit as their director of football until February 2022, meaning the two never worked together.

Although that is not to say they did not know each other, or that Steinsson was not involved in Thelwell’s appointment.

Steinsson notably left his role with Leeds United, who are owned by the 49ers, to become the technical director for the ownership group earlier this season.

There is no doubt that he will be heavily involved in big decisions at Rangers once the takeover goes through, which also applies to the appointment of a new manager.