Rangers Commercial and Marketing Director James Bisgrove has fielded a set of questions regarding supporter frustrations with various matters at Ibrox, with the exec conceding that there is still a long way for the club to go.
On Tuesday evening, David Edgar of Heart and Podcast released the free-to-air interview (available below) in what is the latest charm offensive from the Rangers board following on from well publicised soundings over the last week or so.
A two-part interview with Deputy Chairman John Bennett was released on Rangers TV then there was further content from Stewart Robertson released via the Rangers Review.
The catalyst for this has been the blow back from the club’s committed supporters over different issues, on and off the pitch including transfer window disappointment following Champions League qualification, the two disastrous 4-0 defeats earlier this month which signalled a worrying downturn from the squad as well as mixed messages regarding finances in Euro football and also organised travel to the European away fixtures.
Scathing criticism has come the way of the board for falling to act in some ways and generally not communicating effectively on others.
David Edgar was direct in putting fan anger toward Bisgrove, in terms of the questions he was asking, the H&H host was able to elaborate on this being a supporter himself.
MyGers, commercial revenue, ticketing website, dubious sponsorships, customer service, matchday catering and communications were the subjects in a discussion that lasted over 25 minutes.
Crucially, the final remarks from Edgar were to put it to Bisgrove that there has been a sense of a growing chasm between the powers that be and the ordinary punters in the stands, including a period of around six months without any significant mass outreach and did he agree that this interview was another acknowledgement following Bennett and Robertson’s public statements that they (the board) had been posted missing to an extent.
Bisgrove’s response spoke volumes:
“Yeah, absolutely, 100%. John (Bennett) spoke about it last week in terms of ‘owning it’ and acknowledging that communications had not been good enough. This is something that we need to be front footed on.”
He added effectively that the oversight had been more in terms of being too concerned with day to day business and responsibilities without taking the time to put the head up and reach out.
“This is something that we now recognise, it is hopefully a learning (point) for us moving forward.”
Ultimately, the Rangers board will be judged on their actions and evidence of getting it right. There is a growing list of concerns from the fan base at present with an expectation that solutions must be found. Dialogue with the supporters is essential but most importantly, it has to be backed up with results.
Now they have to deliver.