Ex-Aberdeen chief predicts Rangers transfer raid on specific Euro region after behind-the-scenes hire

Rangers advisor Stig Inge Bjornebye can play the role of sporting director at Ibrox and help seal signings from the Nordic region.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Rangers announced that they were not going to hire a new sporting director.

The Gers hired Bjornebye for an initial six-month period in December, after the Glasgow club had sacked sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

Whilst Jim Gillespie has replaced Stewart as the club’s new chief executive, Bjorenbye continues to play a key role behind-the-scenes ahead of the summer transfer window.

Rangers backed Danny Rohl in the January window, and there is set to be further activity in the summer to strengthen the squad.

Stig Inge Bjornebye ‘well qualified’ to play sporting director role at Rangers

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Rangers should tap into the Nordic market in the summer transfer window.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the Gers could sign some “great talent” if they use Bjornebye’ expertise in the region.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Some clubs need a sporting director, whilst Rangers need somebody to work with Danny Rohl closer, which Stig seems to be doing.

“He’s got huge Nordic experience, which is a big market for Rangers to shop in as well. I’ve experienced it myself, when I first walked into Aberdeen, we had a Danish manager, Ebbe Skovedal, and it’s a big market and there’s some great talent still up in the Nordic countries.

“That’s something that they should be looking at, as well as Central Europe. He’s well qualified to play the role of a sporting director, and I think working hand in hand with Danny Rohl seems to be the right level rather than having a sporting director dictating to Danny Rohl.

“I think that suits Rangers better, and we shouldn’t be slaves to sporting directors, believe me. I’m still not convinced that’s the right way forward. Each club needs to decide on its own unique situation, and I think for Rangers that might be the right thing at the moment.

“They’ve got to be sure this group can get it right, and I think they can. So I’m pretty bullish on the way that these funds are going to be spent and Rangers have hopefully got a future to look forward to.”

Who could Rangers sign this summer?

It will be the first summer transfer window at Rangers for Rohl, who joined the club last October following the sacking of Russell Martin.

With questions remaining over the investment made in Youssef Chermiti, a new striker is being targeted to bolster Rohl’s options in attack.

Sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are monitoring FC Zurich striker Philippe Keny, and that £6million could be enough to seal a deal.

Scottish Premiership talents David Watson, Elijah Just and Luca Stephenson are also targets, but they would have to fend off competition from rivals Celtic.

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