There was a chill as Rangers fans made their way to the Clyde Auditorium on the banks of the River Clyde for the club's early morning annual general meeting.
The reception for the Ibrox board was expected to be even frostier inside when they took to the stage with shareholders unhappy at how things have gone in a rollercoaster last year.
But instead there was warm applause for the current custodians although sporting director Ross Wilson felt a bit of heat as the recruitment in the last 12 months was questioned. The meeting lasted around 90 minutes with new boss Michael Beale given a huge welcome while by a crowd of around 2000 inside the auditorium.
The largest single shareholder, Dave King, revealed he would be opposing chairman Douglas Park's re-election but the results of that resolution are not yet known. Surprisingly, there were no questions on the Sydney Super Cup shambles or looming lawsuits with the Aussie tournament organisers and Elite Sportswear Ltd . - which, combined, sees the club face a potential £11million payout - but here, Record Sport picks out some of the main talking points from the meeting.
Ross on the ropes
Recruitment is the one area that fans have been unhappy with and there is no doubt who they hold responsible for that. On more than one occasion he had the finger pointed at him from the floor. One fan actually put it to the board if they thought he was the right man for the sporting director job."In terms of signings under Ross Wilson on the whole they have been a disaster and failed”, he said "Why did you sanction a centre back from Hearts with that injury record? Do the board believe Ross Wilson is the right man to be doing his job?”
Stewart Robertson launched a fierce defence of the former Southampton man, saying: “The short answer is yes.” Robertson took the argument beyond just recruitment and said there had been huge improvement in the football department as a whole in the last three years. “The progress under Ross Wilson has been outstanding,” he added. One supporter listed numerous players who he said had failed, highlighting Juninho Bacuna as one but claimed the Curacao international had cost £2 million. Wilson had to correct him by saying he was in fact a free agent, although admitting that didn’t necessarily make him a good signing. On Souttar he added: "We went into the Souttar signing with our eyes open, we believe he will contribute. Not every player needs to play 60 matches a season like Connor Goldson, we also need Scottish players.” Wilson was also asked how the value of the squad compared now to when former chairman Dave King said it was worth £200 million but he said: “"That was a number last given by previous chairman Mr King without any science behind it. I wouldn’t do that as it’s a figure out the air and that’s not how to address shareholders."
Contract rebels
The most revealing part of the 90-minute meeting came when chairman Douglas Park interjected after a fan quizzed Ross Wilson on why the club had allowed players’ - namely Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent - contracts to run down. The sporting director went on to explain that wasn’t the case and that nobody had met their value of the players with one offer rejected for each. He then went on to say that in order for a player to extend his stay there has to be a willingness from both parties and that the agents and families are also a factor. And then Park took it upon himself to lob in the fact that the club HAD done everything they could to try and get the duo to sign, hinting the demands were too high. He said: “The board tried to negotiate and sometimes if the terms are unattainable you have to accept you have done your best.”
Beale appeal
If Rangers fans were sceptical about the appointment of their new manager then it certainly didn’t come across on the auditorium. Granted, fans aren’t likely voice any displeasure once the appointment has been made but there is a genuine feeling of warmth towards the Londoner given what he did in his previous capacity at the club and there was rapturous applause when he was introduced and . The proof will of course be in the pudding and the mood will quickly change if results aren’t good on the park but he seems like a figure who could reconnect the club. But talk is cheap and it all starts against Hibs on December 15. "Probably 85 percent of the players were recruited during my previous time here,” he said. "It’s helped me fit like a glove on my return. I have an understanding of what the fans want to see on the pitch. I need to give the players a real identity."
Club 1872
The influential fan group voted against Douglas Park’s re-election to the Ibrox board and the section of supporters, close allies of Dave King who has agreed to sell his shareholding to them, have been at loggerheads with Park and the board for some time. But the chairman extended an olive branch on the condition of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Park said: "Myself and the board have no issue with Club 1872, we need supporters support and it’s never been my intention to fall out with anyone.”
Disabled facilities
This has been thorny issue for many years at the annual general meetings but at last there are signs of progress and that was welcomed by those in attendance. Plans are underway for a major upgrade which could be in place for the start of next season. Under the proposal, it would see 1800 extra seats at the front of the Broomloan and Copland Road Stands with existing season tickets holders having to be relocated under the plans. But that is still to be funded and the total cost of the project has been reported as £2 million.
Dutch and go
It was a mystery to fans how Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former Holland captain who led them into a World Cup final and won more than 100 caps for his country, didn’t explore the Eredivisie market which he knows so well. That raised suspicion that the former boss was having signings forced upon him.
However, Ross Wilson put that to bed and said Van Bronckhorst identified just one Dutch player and he opted to move elsewhere despite the club agreeing terms. That is most likely to be have been former Vitesse Arnhem captain Danilho Doekhi who was heavily linked before moving to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. Wilson said: “Gio would always have the final say and that was the only Dutch player he brought forward."
Champions League pricing
Rangers paid top dollar to see their side become the worst performing Champions League group stage in history. The numbers 7 and 1 is how the campaign could be remembered. That was the scoreline they were on the receiving end of at home to Liverpool and £71 is the price some fans paid see the nightmare unfold. Asked how they could justify the prices - £180 for a top price three-match package - and that fans were looking for a little something back during a cost of living crisis. Stewart Robertson understood that but said: “We had a lot of debate and landed on the numbers. We sold out. The demand was there and we’re fighting for everything to compete with our rivals European and domestically.” Later, as James Bisgrove was being criticised for the lack of merchandise available in the club shops it was asked who was to blame for a commemorative framed picture of the night of that Liverpool demolition - the club’s joint heaviest defeat - but nobody took responsibility.
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