Alan Hutton has warned incoming Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell that he faces an “almighty job” at Ibrox — and insists patience will be required from fans as the club embarks on another major rebuild.
Thelwell, 51, will leave his role at Everton to take up the position at Rangers once his contract expires with the English Premier League club. His arrival follows the findings of the club’s Football Review, which made appointing a sporting director a key priority.
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club in the wake of Rangers’ disappointing draw with St Mirren, former Ibrox defender Hutton welcomed the appointment but stressed the scale of the challenge Thelwell is walking into.
“Patrick Stewart [Rangers CEO] spoke about how he wants somebody with experience — and he’s got that,” Hutton said. “Thelwell has worked at a big club in the Premier League, he’s been over in America as well. I think because it is such a big job, you need somebody who can handle that situation first and foremost. He obviously believes in him and he's backing him."
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While Thelwell’s CV includes stints at Everton, Wolves and New York Red Bulls, Hutton emphasised that no amount of pedigree can fully prepare someone for the intensity and pressure of trying to wrestle domestic dominance back from Celtic — and overhaul a squad in need of surgery.
“He’s going to go in and find out how big of a job that he’s actually going to need to do,” Hutton warned. “Because when you look at that squad, and if you want to go and compete… look, it’s not going to happen in the first transfer window.
“I don’t care if the takeover happens and they get X amount of money — it’s going to be long term. Unfortunately, like I said last season, fans are going to have to be patient. Whether they like it or not, you have to be, because it’s not going to happen overnight.”
With Rangers still without a permanent manager and major questions lingering over the impending 49 Enterprises takeover, recruitment, squad balance, and leadership on the pitch, Hutton stressed that Thelwell must hit the ground running.
“He’s taking on a huge job,” he added. “You need somebody with experience who has dealt with big players along the way that can go in there and handle the situation.
“The proof will be in the pudding. We’ll have to wait and see exactly what happens and what the outcomes are. But it is a huge, almighty job that he’s got on his hands.
"And when you think about some of the big games that are going to be coming around real quickly — to get the takeover done, a new manager in, a squad that they want — that’s a huge job in a short period of time.”
