Rangers News

Wilson on sliding doors Gers decision that cost club fortune

|
Image for Wilson on sliding doors Gers decision that cost club fortune

In Ross Wilson, Rangers have one of the most respected sporting directors or directors of football in the UK, a genuine Premier League operator who has been tasked with playing a key role in driving our return to dominance in Scotland and respectability on the continent.

Speaking to 90min.com, Wilson gives a fascinating insight into his background and his role at Rangers, he also explains why he turned the club down in 2017 before his predecessor, Mark Allen, took the job and – more importantly – before Pedro Caixinha was appointed Gers gaffer:

“I had declined Rangers before and that was difficult as I knew at some stage it was an opportunity at a club that I wanted to test myself at. The reason I didn’t was that I was so happy at Southampton and I had no reason to leave. I loved the people I worked with, my own staff, Martin Semmens the CEO is a personal friend, and I really enjoyed the city and the club. But I knew in my head that if the opportunity came again that as a Scotsman I did want to do it.

“The club had just had the most difficult period in their history and I thought, can I go there and help? Can I help Steven Gerrard? Can I help make them a force in Europe again? I knew most of the main players on the board and I felt I could have a strong connection with them.

“Now we are joining up a clear plan and strategy. I knew I was joining a special club, but wanted to help develop it to be one with modern infrastructure. Obviously I never had a crystal ball, but it has been a great two years.”

Rangers were a shambles in 2017, reeling from Mark Warburton’s departure and with a squad that was miles away from being competitive in the league, we also didn’t have the infrastructure behind the scenes to support the first-team manager properly.

1 of 10
Rangers' Filip Helander in action with Celtic's Lewis Morgan during Scottish League Cup Final

Who scored the winner in Sunday's first Old Firm of 2021/22?

With no sporting director in place, the board rushed through the appointment of Caixinha instead of allowing Graeme Murty to continue to the end of the season and giving Allen any input into the decision, something that cost us a small fortune both in terms of compensation and players that failed miserably with no sell on value.

It’s easy to say “at least he’s here now” but I’ll never not wonder what might have been had Wilson arrived in early 2017 and how much further along the line we would have been in terms of recovery.

Share this article