Thelwell already under pressure at Rangers as Ferguson speaks out - Exclusive

Rangers are set for a summer of transformation both on and off the field at Ibrox.

The managerial situation remains uncertain, albeit Davide Ancelotti now looks the most likely candidate to succeed Barry Ferguson.

In the boardroom, meanwhile, Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh are leading a takeover that has supporters excited for the future.

And there are already new faces preparing to get started at Ibrox, including incoming Everton transfer chief Kevin Thelwell.

Thelwell to oversee transfer business at Rangers

Thelwell is to take up a position as sporting director at Rangers once his time at Everton is over, which will mean he is in position at Ibrox come the start of June.

There has been plenty of talk with regards to who Rangers could recruit in the summer, with a move for the relatively unknown Kevin Bouma said to be on the cards.

Whoever Rangers bring in this summer, Derek Ferguson - speaking exclusively to Ibrox News - insists Thelwell will have little time to settle in.

"He'll be under pressure from the off, without a shadow of a doubt," Ferguson said. "We're expecting him to deliver.

"His background is decent. He's been working in a different market but he knows that. He'll know what he has to spend. I can only talk about the mood and it is pretty positive in that regard.

"We just need him to make the right choices now. If we have to go to the cheaper market, so be it. Thelwell is under pressure with the Rangers fans and deliver in his first summer."

Rangers need to make fast start to summer window

Rangers know there is a massive gap to bridge on Celtic, and that can only be done by making some smart signings.

A ton of names have already been linked and the first signings come now potentially be just a couple of weeks away.

Thelwell will hopefully already be doubling up any tasks he has remaining at Everton with business at Rangers, with the hope of getting those new faces in ahead of pre-season.

If that is achieved, it is then down to the manager - whoever that may be - to do the rest.