Rangers Chairman Expects Additional Signings Before Transfer Window Closes
Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh anticipates that the club will secure three to five more signings before the transfer window closes, acknowledging that current results are not meeting expectations.
The Ibrox club has added nine new players this summer, yet finds itself with only one league point after two matches under new manager Derek McInnes. They also trail Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 after the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie last week.
During an open forum in Glasgow, Cavenagh described the early business as “clunky,” expressing a commitment to improving the situation. “There’s certainly work to be done,” he stated. While he refrained from specifying a number, he expressed hope for three to five incoming players, along with potential departures.
On Thursday, Rangers will host Jagiellonia in the second leg, with the prospect of facing either Northern Irish champions Larne or Georgia’s Iberia Tbilisi in the subsequent play-offs. Cavenagh commented on the challenging schedule leading up to the transfer window’s closure. “It sucks that we have to play a number of important games before the window closes, but that’s how it works,” he remarked.
Reflecting on their ambitions since taking charge a year ago, he said, “Our goal was sustained winning and winning sustainably. I understand we’re not there yet; I’m more optimistic now than I was a year ago.” Rather than dwelling on initial setbacks, he focused on the long-term changes needed within the club culture.
‘Klopp-style manager’ McInnes Aligns with Rangers Ethos
At the forum, Cavenagh was joined by chief executive Jim Gillespie and shareholder Paraag Marathe. Gillespie discussed the recent appointment of McInnes, who narrowly missed winning the title with Hearts last season.
“You can go for a Pep [Guardiola] style manager or a [Jurgen] Klopp style manager – we wanted a Klopp-style manager who plays on the front foot,” Gillespie noted. He added that McInnes had been a priority for the club for quite some time and fits well with the club’s style and culture.
Gillespie also addressed the VAR decision that led to a Hibernian penalty during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat, seeking clarification from the Scottish Football Association (SFA). “It was my understanding that it has to be a clear and obvious error for the referee to be called over. I didn’t see that as either clear or obvious,” he said, emphasizing the need for a strategy to enhance the development of referees and VAR. “My question for the SFA would be ‘what is the strategy for improvement?’ – we have to get improvement,” he added.
Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh expects three to five more signings before the transfer window closes and admits results are not where he would like them to be.
The Ibrox club have already added nine new faces this summer but sit on just one league point after two league games under new manager Derek McInnes.
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They also trail Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 after the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie last week.
Cavenagh told shareholders that business so far has been “clunky” but they are working hard to bring success.
“There’s certainly work to be done,” he said, speaking at an open forum in Glasgow.
“I don’t like putting a number on it but certainly I’d hope three to five more players are coming in and a number will possibly go out.”
Rangers host Jagiellonia in the second leg on Thursday, with either Northern Irish champions Larne or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia awaiting the winners in the play-offs.
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“It sucks that we have to play a number of important games before the window closes but that’s how it works,” Cavenagh added.
“When we came in around a year ago, our ambition was sustained winning and winning sustainably.
“I understand we’re not there yet; I’m more optimistic now that I was a year ago.
“We could look at how things have gone in the first three games and sit here and sulk, but we’re not going to do that.
“When we came in, we realised finishing second and sometimes worse, was seeping into every corner of this club and we had to change that, but it takes time.”
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‘Klopp-style manager’ McInnes fits Rangers ‘style and culture’
Cavenagh was joined in the room by chief executive Jim Gillespie and shareholder Paraag Marathe.
Gillespie was asked about the appointment of McInnes, who fell just short of winning the title with Hearts last season.
“You can go for a Pep [Guardiola] style manager or a [Jurgen] Klopp style manager – we wanted a Klopp-style manager who plays on the front foot,” Gillespie said.
“Derek has been high on our list for a long time and we think he fits the style and culture of this club.”
He also confirmed the club are seeking clarification from the SFA regarding the VAR call that led to a Hibernian penalty in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat.
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“It was my understanding that it has to be a clear and obvious error for the referee to be called over,” Gillespie said. “I didn’t see that as either clear or obvious.
“We need a strategy for developing referees and VAR.
“My question for the SFA would be ‘what is the strategy for improvement?’ – we have to get improvement.”
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