Rangers: Danny Rohl backed for success as Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart insist Ibrox club ‘worth fighting for’ | Football news

“We will all work as hard as possible to give the fans and this football club something to be proud of.”

Rangers have a new head coach in Danny Rohl, with the club’s board believing brighter things are on the horizon after a dismal run under Russell Martin, which lasted just 123 days.

Fan anger has been directed at chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, blaming their poor leadership and recruitment as the reason the Ibrox side sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership with one win in eight.

The search for Martin’s successor was not easy. Steven Gerrard rejected a return to Govan and Kevin Muscat walked away from negotiations with a deal almost finalized before Rohl returned to the process after initially withdrawing.

“Ultimately, the proof of the process is in the outcome and we found the one we wanted to name in terms of Danny,” Stewart said.

“We’ve spoken to a number of different people, some names have been in the media, some haven’t.

“We cannot comment on confidential discussions nor can we control what others may say in the media or in briefings, regardless of their agenda.

“To that extent, yes, I can understand that from the outside one might think that the process has gone wrong, but all we can look at is the outcome of the process.

“We went out there and had discussions with a number of very credible candidates and we shortlisted one.”

Should we be asking questions about the Rangers recruiting process?

Rangers signed 12 new players during the summer transfer window, spending £10 million to sign striker Youssef Chermiti, who failed to score in seven appearances.

“I think that’s a good question, and I think if I look at the first eight games in particular, it’s very, very difficult to say otherwise,” Thelwell added.

“That said, we think the group is a good group

“We believe they are capable of much more, and we hope that with Danny’s appointment we will have the opportunity to showcase their qualities in a much stronger way.

“I think we have recruited a very strong and very competent group, and I hope that over the next group of games you can see players like Thelo Aasgaard and other players that we recruited this summer reach their full potential and show it not only to you guys, but also to the fans.

“I think Youssef Chermiti is a player in particular who has huge potential and I have never doubted him in any way. Again, I think Danny will help get the best out of Youssef.

“At the very beginning for him, he is a young talent, and of course with young talents it sometimes takes a little time. But I am sure that during his career here he will prove that he is a very, very good player.”

The former Everton director of football was also asked if Rohl would be allowed to sign his own players in the next transfer window.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never signed a player the coach didn’t want,” added the 51-year-old.

“So it’s really about working together to identify the right talent, the right people, the right players that are going to help us not only win today, but help us win tomorrow.

“Danny and I have had a lot of conversations over the last couple of weeks about recruiting, players, style of play and identity and all those things, winning and how to create that winning team.

“I’m really looking forward to working with them in this recruiting area.”

Have fan protests made you consider stepping down?

The chief executive and sporting director have reaffirmed their commitment to the club despite growing calls for them to leave.

“I completely understand the frustration and pain the fans are feeling because the results this season haven’t been good enough and no one is happy about it,” Stewart said.

“The heart and frustration that they feel is reflected in the boardroom and I also understand that there has to be an outlet for those frustrations and, as chief executive, I am a lightning rod for those.

“My role as a leader though is to absorb that, but also now to work hard, work harder and make sure we turn this around so we can earn that confidence.

“I am determined to work incredibly hard with everyone else at the club to get Rangers back to where they belong.”

Thelwell added: “I understand the criticism. We need to do a lot better. But Rangers, for me, are something worth fighting for.

“So what I’m going to do next, and what we’re all going to do next, is work as hard as possible to give the fans and this football club something to be proud of.”

Thelwell addresses appointment of son to key role

Thelwell was also asked about the recruitment of Robbie Thelwell as head of recruitment.

The sporting director insisted his son “didn’t need my help” with his football career, saying the decision to bring him to Rangers was not made by him.

“Optically, I think we all agreed when we made the decision to name Robbie that he was going to be seen in a particular way,” he added.

“But the reality of the situation is we want to bring the best talent here to Rangers Football Club. My view on Robbie’s career and Robbie’s situation is that he hasn’t needed my help in football.

“Dan Purdy, who is the technical director and who he will be working for, wanted to take him to Everton Football Club. When I was there I told him that shouldn’t be the case and I didn’t think he was ready.

“But when the situation came up again and Dan wanted to take him back, it was very difficult to say no.

“I was extremely transparent about what Dan wanted to do. And I think Robbie probably went through a more rigorous process than anyone employed by this football club has been known to.

“I look forward to him proving that he will be a great employee for Rangers.”