Rangers need “good people behind the scenes” to prevent issues like the Ibrox building work saga, says Derek Ferguson.
According to the Daily Record on June 23, the Light Blues are considering Hearts chief Andrew McKinlay as a replacement for CEO James Bisgrove, who suddenly departed to Saudi Arabia.
Ferguson criticized McKinlay’s Hearts for being “out of order” in their complaints about the Rangers Women celebrating their Sky Sports Cup win in the Tynecastle dressing room earlier this year. This issue could pose a hurdle to McKinlay’s appointment at Ibrox.
Hearts issued an outraged statement on March 25, claiming the stadium had been “defaced” by a mat with the Rangers logo placed on the dressing room floor for the final against Partick Thistle.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Ferguson said: “It was the women’s game, wasn’t it?
And that complaint that went in, that could [be an issue]. We don’t know what happens once people meet, get together, and create a relationship.
“But I think Hearts were out of order because you’ve let the ground out for a final, you put a few things [out] just to make the players have that feel-good factor.
“I don’t look at too much of what goes on behind the scenes. We’ve seen the boy [Alan] Burrows was quite high profile at Motherwell and goes to Aberdeen, and obviously, he’s had a couple of things to say.
“These guys are important because it’s crucial to have good people behind the scenes doing their job properly, and clearly, we have not had that with whoever’s been organizing the reconstruction of a part of the stadium.”
Hearts Upset Over Rangers Women’s Celebrations at Tynecastle
The Jam Tarts’ reaction to the Sky Sports Cup win was seen as excessive and unnecessary, though only they know if it was meant to appeal to their fanbase.
Bisgrove’s abrupt departure left the Gers in a difficult position [Scottish Sun, 30 May], amid speculation that he foresaw trouble at Ibrox and wanted to leave before it unfolded.
McKinlay, who has been named Scottish Professional Football League CEO of the Year twice in the past three seasons [Football Scotland, 2 May], seems to be competent, which is likely why Rangers would be interested in him.
At this stage, a potential move for Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland might be more relevant, especially after Philippe Clement decided against pursuing the star striker [Daily Record, 22 July].