Rangers Prepare for...

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh has announced that the club will undergo a “summer of substantial change” at Ibrox following a disappointing season.

Despite these changes, manager Danny Rohl will retain his position. Cavenagh expressed support for the German coach, who was appointed in October and started well but struggled toward the end of the season, with Rangers suffering four consecutive losses and finishing 10 points behind champions Celtic.

Since Cavenagh and his consortium took over, Rangers have invested between £30m and £40m in player acquisitions. He commented on the team’s third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, describing it as leaving a “bitter taste,” but added that they will use that disappointment to fuel their ambitions moving forward.

“This season hasn’t been nearly good enough, and we need to do better,” Cavenagh stated. “We understand that our fans are also disappointed, and we will take the necessary steps to bring home titles.”

The ‘two essentials’ Rohl needs for success

Rohl’s support among Rangers fans waned as the title race slipped away, yet Cavenagh remains firmly behind the 37-year-old manager.

“This has been an incredibly frustrating and disappointing season for the club and its supporters,” Cavenagh admitted.

“For Rangers, success means winning titles, and we have not achieved that. Our goal is to secure titles for Rangers in the future, starting next year. To do that, we believe Danny needs to be our coach.”

Cavenagh emphasized that Rohl requires both a revamped squad and a full pre-season to succeed. “With those two elements, we believe he can thrive. Danny is committed to being here, and we want him here. Most importantly, we believe he is the best manager to guide us to a title next year,” he asserted.

When discussing the squad overhaul, Cavenagh refrained from specifying the number of new first-team players needed but indicated a significant turnover is expected.

“This summer, we are focused on enhancing the nuanced elements that create a successful team,” he noted. “This includes leadership, chemistry, experience, and football intelligence. We need to make substantial changes, emphasizing quality over quantity, while ensuring these attributes combine with our current roster to lead us to a title.”

“The season has been incredibly disappointing, and having come so close only to see it slip away makes it even harder,” he added.

When asked about perceptions of the squad lacking mental toughness, Cavenagh responded, “I wouldn’t use the term soft, but we definitely need to add more experience—players who have encountered tough situations. While we have shown flashes of greatness, we have not performed consistently, which is essential. We need to add strength, experience, and leadership to our current lineup to increase our chances of winning the title.”

Tavernier incident reflects poorly

Rangers have spent a considerable amount in the transfer market. Last season, they finished second with 75 points, while this year they gained just 72 points and ended up in third.

Over the past four seasons, their points tally has decreased each year: 92, 85, 75, and now 72.

“I view it as a binary situation,” Cavenagh commented on the decline from second to third. “You either win a title or you don’t. This season was not successful because we didn’t win.”

“I won’t spend time analyzing points per match or league positions. Our singular concern is winning.”

However, the failure to qualify for the Champions League raises questions about how the club could spend so much and not improve.

“I don’t consider it a step back,” Cavenagh clarified. “While I understand the numbers, the core issue remains that we didn’t win. Our focus now is to build a cohesive and effective team.”

He also addressed the recent turmoil surrounding departing captain James Tavernier, a club veteran, who was expected to receive a farewell during a recent match but was instead benched, leading to confusion.

“Tav is a Hall of Famer for us, and he is held in the highest esteem,” Cavenagh remarked. “Looking back on Wednesday’s events, we all agree it wasn’t the right look for the club. The club’s image is paramount, and we must prioritize that moving forward.”

“Unfortunately, the situation unfolded this way, and while we could have handled it differently, it’s time to move on.”

When asked if he could provide assurances to supporters for a better season ahead, Cavenagh committed to focusing on recruitment. “We need to enhance the squad, which involves not only bringing in players with specific skills but also instilling the right mentality. That is our top priority,” he concluded.

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