New Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart cautiously optimistic about direction of club

Rangers new chief executive Patrick Stewart says he’s cautiously optimistic about the direction of the team, but admits the club has to improve when it comes to winning trophies.

Stewart officially started in his new role yesterday, succeeding James Bisgrove who left Ibrox in the summer.

The CEO also confirmed that the Ibrox club have spoken to the SFA and are waiting on an answer as to why they weren’t awarded a penalty in the League Cup final.

Rangers lost the game after a shootout that followed a dramatic 3-3 draw at Hampden on Sunday.

Speaking at the Q&A on Tuesday he admitted that from the outside looking in the club hasn’t been where it wants to be, but insists there is also a lot of be positive about going forward.

He said: “I think there is a lot we can be really proud of in terms of what has been achieved so far under perhaps some trying circumstances over the last seven months in particular.

“There has been no secret that on the park, we are not where we want to be in terms of trophies.

“Off the park, the AGM results were there for everyone to see and also from a perception perspective, I think sometimes, the wider perception for Rangers hasn’t been where we want to be.

“There are challenges there, but equally we have some really strong foundations to build from.

“We have a lot to be positive about.”

Philippe Clement was dismayed at the referee’s failure to award a penalty when Vaclav Cerny was fouled by Celtic defender Liam Scales at the start of extra-time.

A free-kick was awarded and the Hoops player was booked, but the Rangers manager believes that VAR should have intervened and a penalty should have been awarded.

The club has now asked the SFA for answers regarding the incident and Stewart revealed he is waiting for a response.

He continued: “The manner which we lost was hard to take, and as I think people will know, I have spoken with the SFA to ask for an explanation about the non-awarding of a penalty in extra-time, so I will wait to hear what the SFA have to say about that.”

Stewart, who previously worked at English giants Manchester United, says he intends to be visible to and have dialogue with the support over their concerns.

He said: “I do intend to be visible and communicate with the fans, but equally I think they would want me to do the job and not spend all my time speaking to them.

“The challenge for me is to find that rhythm where I am communicating with them, getting their thoughts and feedback, and equally being able to explain things to them about where the club is going from a vision and strategy perspective.”