7 things next Rangers chairman MUST do as bulging list of Bennett complaints among wider issues which must be fixed
It's a time of transition at the top of Rangers once again as John Bennett stepped down from his role as chairman.
Former director John Gilligan has now stepped into the role on a temporary basis just 18 months after Bennett stepped up from his post as vice-chairman after the departure of Douglas Park. Bennett has stepped down from his role following a tumultuous summer of construction work at Ibrox and a tricky transfer-packed window . It was only last Saturday when the former Ibrox chairman Dave King dressed down James Tavernier's vocal dissenters and threw his weight being Bennett amid an appeal for calm heads was the message from the South African-based businessman.
King, divulged in his statement at the time, said: "I know John Bennett is devastated by current events and is working immensely hard behind the scenes. We have a challenging period ahead and need to pull together to get through it.” Bennett was forced into a firefighting capacity last month as he fronted up to the steel issues which beset the Copland Road redevelopment, as he once again stressed the need for Rangers to live within their means.
But now it's someone else's turn to take on the massive Ibrox agenda. But what are the big issues they must tackle? Record Sport takes a look.
New CEO
The club have been without a CEO since James Bisgrove announced he was stepping down for a role in the Saudi Pro League. Jim Gillespie of St Mirren has been ruled out for the role, while English FA high flyer Adrian Bevington has thrown his hat in the ring. John Bennett admitted the search had "slowed" with the focus on dealing the delay in construction work at Ibrox - but fans are desperate to see a key role filled.
Fan unrest
Tensions reached boiling point on Edmiston Drive following defeat to Celtic before the international break - with Philippe Clement and James Tavernier the subject of furious ire from the supporters who took to the steps on Ibrox. It's a major time of transition for the club on and off the park - and the next chairman will need to keep the fans onside as soon as he takes on the top job.
Player trading model
In July John Bennett described the player-trading model as "mythical" - and it will now fall to the next Rangers' chairman to finally put the sustainable transfer plan in place. Bennett slammed the multiple Rangers financial own goals which dumped his side in a £10.5m hole after a series of missteps when buying and selling players. Ibrox icon Graeme Souness insisted that it would take at least £50m to catch Celtic this season, but the next chairman may need to keep the purse strings tightly wound.
January plans
While the club have to watch the balance sheet - as revealed by Bennett - they will also strengthen in January after a busy end to the summer. The loan market was exploited in the summer while a 'one in, one out' policy was adopted for the likes of Nils Koppen coming in for Connor Goldson. Will the new person at the helm share the same beliefs?
Derby day briefs
The saga looked to be over - but the more things change in Scottish football, the more they stay the same. Celtic and Rangers had both green lit the return of away fans on derby day, however the lockout continued when Philippe Clement took his side to Celtic Park before the international break.
Celtic blamed the lack of 'guarantees' over the Ibrox game in January as the war of statements rumbled on. But could a new Rangers chairman bring about change in time for the January 2 clash in Govan? Or could we finally have a resolution when derby day rolls around later in the season?
The Clement question
John Bennett hailed Philippe Clement in July - branding him a "leader" with a "vision" for the future - before he was handed a fresh contract. The outgoing chairman insisted that Rangers had to get away from the hiring and firing culture, but will the next leader of the club feel the same? Time - and results - will tell.
Catching Celtic
Brendan Rodgers' squad showed how far ahead of Rangers they are on derby day - but that just won't do in Glasgow where second is nowhere. While most fans understand that it could be a season of transition under Philippe Clement - fans will be desperate to see signs that they can dethrone Celtic going forward and end the season with silverware. It's not just down to the chairman, but attention quickly turns to the board should the trail in the Scottish Premiership - or even worse, fall to third.