Keith Wyness: There’s a new man in the ‘firing line’ at Rangers, it’s not Danny Rohl
Danny Rohl is not under pressure from Rangers fans but they have instead turned their attention to another member of the club’s hierarchy.
Rohl took over from Russell Martin at Ibrox after the 39-year-old was effectively hounded out by the supporters.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has had a solid start to life in Glasgow, managing to guide the Gers up the table.
Rangers currently sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, but are still 12 points adrift of league leaders Hearts.
Rangers fans are angry with key figure
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that because Rangers fans are not angry at Rohl, Kevin Thelwell is now in the firing line.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Gers supporters are unhappy with the business Thelwell did in the summer, with signings like Youssef Chermiti failing to perform.
Since Chermiti joined Rangers from Everton, he has managed just one Scottish Premiership goal.
Wyness added that the January transfer window is big for Thelwell.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Kevin is the one obviously in the firing line now. They can’t really pick on Danny Rohl at the moment because he’s too new, and they know that they can’t pick another manager out. So I think Kevin’s definitely going to get it in the neck.
“Chermiti seems to be the main moan, that he’s spent too much on Chermiti, and he’s not clicking for them. It is a big window for Kevin in January.
“Look, get a few more wins, and the fans will calm down on attacking the sporting director. The manager will always be front and foremost in the firing line, but sporting directors are starting to get more and more criticism.
“As we see in clubs, more and more of them are starting to get sacked because they’re becoming more influential. So it’s a whole new trend that we’re starting to see them in the firing line.
“I think it’s as much the politics of Rangers and the fan base that somebody has to be in the firing line and it just happens to be Kevin Thelwell just now.”
Danny Rohl’s striker transfer plan revealed
Meanwhile, Rohl could be forced to work with what he has at Rangers rather than bringing in a striker during the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The Gers have lost several important attacking players in recent times and have failed to properly replace them.
Over the summer, Hamza Igamane joined Lille, and Cyril Dessers finalised his exit on deadline day, moving to Greek club Panathinaikos.
Sources say that Rohl may be forced to utilise the forwards already in his squad, rather than being given funds to strengthen in January.
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