Hearts CEO fails to rule out interest in Rangers role

As turmoil engulfs the Tynecastle club, award-winning Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has been chatting with Sky Sports this week.

McKinlay has been out defending the Jambos’ decision to terminate Steven Naismith, while John Gilligan has been out fighting fires on behalf of the Rangers in the same week.

The main conversation point was the Hearts’ search for a new manager, but McKinlay was also questioned about the Rangers’ alleged interest from three months prior.

Although McKinlay is adamant about how much he enjoys his work at Hearts, the Tynecastle manager did not completely rule out considering a role at Rangers.

“I can put on record very clearly that I’ve had no conversations with Rangers, and Rangers have had no conversations with me.”

Sky Sports was told by McKinlay, “I love my role at Hearts and I’m delighted in the role at Hearts.”

“It is pretty evident from the record that neither I nor the Rangers have had any conversations.

“Reports from the media exist. That press stories’ source is unknown to me.

Some people who made a commitment to become chief executives but didn’t follow through have been mentioned in the media.

“So I have no ideas what Rangers’ plans are for the future.

“I wish them all the best in their search but I am absolutely focused on my job with Hearts.

“I love my job with Hearts and will give it my utmost going forward.”

Rangers chairman wants CEO by Christmas

Following former marketing director James Bisgrove’s departure to Saudi Arabia at the start of June, Rangers are still without a CEO.

Although Bisgrove seems to be adjusting to life in Saudi Arabia, the Rangers have had complications following the resignation of chairman John Bennett due to health issues.

The last-minute collapse of Gillespie’s anticipated transfer hasn’t helped the issue either.

Interestingly, Rangers’ “dream scenario” is to have a new CEO in place by Christmas, according to interim chair John Gilligan, who spoke with Sky Sports about this.

It may take more than six months from the time the new Al-Qadsiah CEO departs Rangers before a replacement is named, considering Bisgrove formally left Ibrox on June 1.

“There are a lot of people around the opportunity,” Gilligan remarked.

However, in order to make sure we don’t overlook anyone, we would like to hire a recruitment agency and heed their expert counsel.

They will screen some applicants, we’ll narrow it down to a shortlist, and we’ll make a decision.

But the procedure is moving forward very quickly.

We’re back at square one, so it’s not true. We still have work to do, but it’s not like it was yesterday.

Actually, we really want to fill the post as soon as feasible. Ideally, we would be able to welcome someone before Christmas, I guess.

Although we recognise that it’s important to fire the wrong people, such a disparity clearly indicates that Ibrox lacks a leader at the top.