“Rangers’ SHOCKING Plot to Snag Thelwell’s Ally Could Leave Koppen CRUMBLING as Ferguson Drops BOMBSHELL ‘Changes’ Warning!”
Rangers' Recruitment Post-Title Win Has Fallen Short of Expectations
In 2021, the signings of Fashion Sakala, John Lundstram, and Juninho Bacuna failed to provide the quality needed to elevate Rangers to Champions League contenders.
These players also lacked the attributes to help the club maintain consistent domestic dominance, and it came as no shock when Steven Gerrard, disillusioned with the direction of the squad, decided to step away.
Three managers later, Rangers find themselves not far from where they started.
Now, Nils Koppen is leading the recruitment efforts, but after a disappointing first full season, his position is under scrutiny.
The arrival of Kevin Thelwell as the new sporting director—someone with ties to incoming manager Philippe Clement—has added further pressure to deliver.
Speaking after the recent 1-1 draw against Celtic, club legend Barry Ferguson noted the urgency surrounding the club’s off-field activities.
He emphasized that time is short and decisions need to be made quickly:
“I genuinely don’t know what direction they’ll go in. We know changes are happening, which I see as a positive.
Kevin Thelwell is in as sporting director, although I’m not sure if he officially starts in mid-June or early July. Regardless, the process must begin immediately.
We’re just weeks away from the end of the season, and then Champions League qualifiers are right around the corner.
The new season comes quickly, and the club must appoint a manager soon.”
There’s already speculation about further structural changes. Journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, reports that Dan Purdy, Everton’s head of scouting, is set to leave the club.
Given his previous working relationship with Thelwell, it’s easy to see why Rangers are being mentioned as a potential landing spot.
If Rangers truly want to reach a higher level, they must ensure their recruitment team is composed of individuals with a solid track record—people who can consistently identify and acquire players that fit both the club’s ambitions and its unique competitive landscape.
However, Scottish football, and specifically Rangers, demands a particular type of player.
While Purdy brings experience from stints at Liverpool, Leeds United, and Everton, that doesn’t guarantee he can pinpoint players suited for the challenges of the SPFL—especially the kind of gritty, high-pressure matches that typify games like a winter trip to Dingwall.
Koppen has had his share of missteps in the transfer market, but by now, he should have a clearer sense of what kind of player succeeds at Ibrox.
If not, Thelwell’s presence signals a readiness to make further changes—and possibly replace those who fall short of the required standards.
