Skip to content

Rangers chairman Dave King says squad needs an overhaul

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Rangers manager Mark Warburton talks about the AGM as fans wait to find out if the club will be getting fresh investment

Rangers chairman Dave King says manager Mark Warburton will be expected to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.

King intimated that the key decision makers at Ibrox are disappointed with the results of their spending this summer, as Rangers sit 11 points behind league leaders Celtic following their return to the top flight.

None of the 11 new faces acquired by Rangers over the summer have made a major impact and midfielder Joey Barton has already departed.

Live SPFL Football

Speaking to RangersTV after the club's annual general meeting on Friday, King said: "The view we have taken with Mark is that he must continue to look at his squad.

"I think he will admit the summer transfer spending wasn't as successful as it was the previous season.

"I know the standard is higher, but some of the players he has brought in - Joey Barton being a great example, he tied up a lot of wages but he didn't perform for the manager.

"The manager then has to recycle that, and I think he has to keep looking, see what players are working in his squad, see what ones he may want to move on, and which ones he might want to bring in.

Also See:

"So I would expect some activity in January. I know that Mark is working on a plan for January and I think there are quite a number of options he is looking at."

Sky Sports Black Friday sale
Sky Sports Black Friday sale

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price!

Warburton was asked about the Barton signing at the AGM by shareholders and said: "It would be obvious to say hindsight is a marvellous thing.

"We look for players to add value and experience. At the end of last year we were very light in numbers, we literally ran out of players for the cup final.

"We had to try to add some youthful exuberance as well as some experience.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Charlie Nicholas thinks Rangers can't compete with Celtic in their current financial states

"That particular player [Barton] represented experience and proven quality. Our job was to do the due diligence that would make sure he would fit into the football club.

"Everything we saw suggested it would work very well but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I would hope you would judge us on the 20 or 21 players who come in, rather than one individual."

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!

Around Sky