STEWART ROBERTSON, the Rangers managing director, has revealed the Ibrox club has narrowed their search for a new manager down to “a few outstanding candidates” and were “very close” to making an appointment.
The Ladbrokes Premiership club have been without a manager since Mark Warburton departed 19 days ago and have lost their last two league games against Dundee and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Rangers directors, who have made under-20 coach Graeme Murty, have come in for criticism in the media and even from their own supporters for their failure to bring in a permanent replacement for Warburton.
But in his programme notes for the Premiership game against St. Johnstone at Ibrox tonight, Robertson has stressed they have been “forensic” in their search for a director of football and manager in an attempt to get the appointment right.
“There is no confusion or turmoil inside Rangers,” he said. “There has always been a clarity of purpose.
“A management team resigned and is about to be replaced after an intense and detailed process, which was absolutely necessary given the lack of progress on the playing front so far this season.
“We simply could not be hurried into making appointments which might not have been correct for the club’s long term development.
“It is important to remember just how far Rangers has come in a short period and to keep in mind that we are still laying down foundations which will ensure a successful future. I am confident the new manager and director of football will drive us towards that future.
“Our search has been narrowed down to a few outstanding candidates, who we believe possess the necessary skills and attributes. We have been deliberately forensic in our search, studying every detail of each manager’s character, his work and his style and we have sought many references for those who have stood out from the rest.
“Above all though, our next manager will be someone who understands that defeat can never be acceptable. Rangers is synonymous with winning and we will select a manager who is also a winner.
“Frankly, results must improve and so it is vital that we appoint soon. Doing so will also allow our new manager a few months to assess the current squad while formalising his summer recruitment plans. Again, the funds are there to support the new manager.”
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