Rangers: Jim Gillespie paperwork filed, new Ibrox chief gets set to negotiate 'very serious change'

Rangers have confirmed the appointment of chief executive Jim Gillespie as a new director at Ibrox. 

As per a Companies House submission on Monday (30 March), Gillespie has now been officially appointed to the Scottish giants’ board. 

The 48-year-old was announced as Rangers’ CEO in January, replacing Patrick Stewart following his exit last November. 

Gillespie previously spent five years at fellow Scottish Premiership side St Mirren, where he operated as vice-chairman before moving to Ibrox. 

Alongside the new CEO, Rangers’ board consists of chairman Andrew Cavenagh, Fraser Thornton, John Halsted, George Taylor, Andrew Clayton and Mark Taber. 

What should Jim Gillespie's priority be at Rangers?

Gillespie started work at Rangers on 16 March as he looks to help the ownership group deliver on their ambitious goals. 

Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises took over at Ibrox in May last year, with the aim of turning the Glasgow club into a force on and off the field. 

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider improving Rangers’ player-trading profits and adapting to the European qualification changes should be the priority for Gillespie.

“There are two main areas that Rangers need to focus on,” said Borson. 

“One is making more money from player trading and two now is dealing with mitigating this change in the European competition situation, which I consider to be a very serious change to the financial viability of the biggest Scottish clubs. 

“They need to find a way around it in terms of generating more money probably from youth and the trading of players, but it’s not easy to do. Everybody’s trying to do it.” 

Rangers have been criticised for their player trading in recent years after failing to turn a profit on several players. 

They recorded a £600,000 loss on player sales last season, while Old Firm rivals Celtic made a £31.5million profit. 

How Rangers are performing financially compared to Celtic

Gillespie will be looking to improve Rangers’ revenue streams in a bid to close the financial gap to Celtic. 

The Gers posted a new club-record turnover last season after their total improved from £88.3m in 2023-24 to £94.1m. 

However, that was still considerably down on Celtic’s revenue, which surged from £124.6m to £143.6m across the same period. 

Rangers are aiming to improve their commercial income and take advantage of matchday opportunities at Ibrox, with plans being considered to expand the stadium’s capacity. 

Results on the field will continue to be the most important factor as Champions League qualification would secure a significant windfall. 

Danny Rohl’s side are currently second and three points behind leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table, while Celtic are a further two points back in third place.