Legendary Rangers player Graeme Souness has spoken out about his role in the hiring of Philippe Clement and pushed the team’s manager to catch Celtic this season.
The behind-the-scenes information comes as rumours about the Ibrox legend’s potential emotional return to the Scottish Premiership team have grown more intense. In the summer, the 70-year-old paid a visit to his Rangers and chatted with CEO James Bisgrove informally about a formal return to the team he played for and coached in the 1980s
Although no agreement was made at the time, it looks Souness may soon have a permanent position after helping to choose the new Rangers manager. He provided guidance throughout the process with chairman John Bennett and Bisgrove, and talkSPORT buddy Jim White has boldly said that the former Sky Sports commentator is “increasingly likely” to take up an advising position.
And Souness has now made his participation in the process public for the first time. Prior to the 49-year-old’s first match against Hibs, when Celtic led their opponents by seven points, Souness wrote the following in a piece for the Daily Mail: “I was part of the process of choosing new Rangers manager Philippe Clement.
He made a wonderful presentation and was quite impressed in his interview. Everything about him would seem to be in order based just on his résumé, eye colour, and mannerisms when discussing football.
“Managing one of the major two in Glasgow is a unique situation, and it’s how he handles with that that raises a question mark, and I’d be saying the same if Pep Guardiola were given the position. They face a straightforward battle because they are seven points behind Celtic. His score is clear. A successful season is impossible without coming in first.
Jim White, a transfer source, stated on Friday that a visit to Ibrox was imminent. He remarked: “I believe it is becoming more and more probable that he will return to the club in some sort of advising capacity. A job as an ambassador was mentioned, but that is not Souness; shaking hands with spectators is not Souness.
He could be a lot, lot more effective than that, and I believe he will succeed. Things are progressing, based on what I heard this afternoon.
