Foundations of Change Bring Fresh Optimism at Rangers
Rangers supporters find renewed optimism after major structural changes at the club, as the 49ers ownership begins reshaping leadership, recruitment and long-term planning at Ibrox.
A New Wave of Optimism Among Supporters
There is a noticeable lift among Rangers fans after the departures of Thelwell and Stewart, with many feeling that a corner has finally been turned. The sense of uncertainty has eased and supporters now see signs of a club ready to reset properly under the 49ers leadership.
Personally, I always felt the club was ultimately in safe hands after the 49ers takeover. At the same time, it was clear the early months could be bumpy because their only point of comparison was Leeds United, meaning football was still a relatively new venture for them.
Leadership Missteps and the Cost of a Poor Summer
The 49ers and Andrew Cavanagh are extremely successful businessmen and their records speak for themselves. That said, Russel Martin, Thelwell, Purdy and others were poor appointments and the summer transfer window was one of the most disappointing I have seen. Some of the signings, including the eight million forward, will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. It brought back memories of Ally McCoist leaving Ibrox with his list of transfer ideas after that infamous meeting with Craig Whyte.
This week proved the 49ers are ruthless when they need to be. Like everyone else, I agree Thelwell and Stewart should have gone when Martin left.
This Season Is Not Beyond Salvage
For me, the season is difficult but not a write-off. The situation is far from ideal, yet not beyond repair. Getting the foundations right and putting the correct people into the right roles is the key to restoring stability. I believe the 49ers and Cavanagh understand this more than ever now.
A proper director of football, a competent chief executive, a functional scouting network and a coherent structure will all contribute to the long-term success the supporters crave.
January Will Be Pivotal
The season has begun in chaotic fashion, but there is a growing sense of optimism. January will be crucial in terms of recruitment. It is not the easiest market, but the right players can be found if the correct regions and profiles are targeted.
I am happy with the work Rohl has done so far. He has polished a very difficult situation and improved the team in a short space of time. He is getting more out of the squad than Martin managed and with a stronger, more balanced group of players, it will be fascinating to see how far he can take us.
Final Thoughts
This is just a collection of thoughts, but I wanted to share them. Cornelius looks like a clear yes for me and I think we should trigger the option to buy at the end of the season. I would also be tempted to make a cheeky move for Gogic in January.
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Discuss rumours and transfers on our Rangers rumours web page
