Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has revealed that interim chairman John Gilligan and key investor George Letham have adopted a “hands-on approach” in guiding the club through recent turmoil. This comes as Rangers face mounting criticism over the ongoing instability at the board level.
Gilligan, who stepped into the interim chairman role following John Bennett’s resignation due to health concerns, has faced a challenging period at Ibrox. The club has been criticized for its “disgraceful” leadership situation, but Ferguson suggests a more proactive stance is being taken behind the scenes.
Writing in his column for the Daily Record on 18 October, Ferguson explained: “John Gilligan has stepped into the role of a figurehead, and I’m told he and George Letham have been taking a really hands-on approach to guiding the club through the recent upheaval.”
Ferguson emphasized the importance of this direct involvement, saying, “That boots-on-the-ground leadership is something the club has been missing for a while now. Gilligan and Letham are taking a highly visible approach to running things behind the scenes while looking to make those key appointments in the boardroom.”
Despite this effort, Rangers remain far from competing with rivals Celtic on the pitch. The club’s leadership issues are viewed as more urgent at present, with vacancies for a chairman, head of football operations, academy director, and chief executive officer needing to be filled in the coming weeks to restore stability.
Ferguson previously hinted at progress in the search for a new CEO, mentioning “interesting candidates” from south of the border. However, he also acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing it as “nothing short of a crisis.” He added that the hands-on approach from Gilligan and Letham, while necessary, may reflect deeper issues. “What exactly have Gilligan and Letham been doing while the Gers have descended into turmoil?”