Rangers Face Fan Backlash Over Kevin Thelwell Appointing Son Robbie Head of Recruitment

Rangers Football Club has appointed Robbie Thelwell, son of sporting director Kevin Thelwell, as their new head of recruitment, a move that has sparked controversy among fans accusing the club of nepotism. Robbie, 26, has prior experience in scouting and loan management roles at Norwich City, Aston Villa, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, where his father also held positions, and his appointment follows a significant backroom shake-up aimed at improving recruitment and player performance. Despite fan skepticism, key figures including manager Russell Martin and former player Billy Dodds have defended the decision, emphasizing Robbie's qualifications and the thorough recruitment process involved. The club's poor start to the season and the underwhelming impact of recent signings have intensified scrutiny on the leadership and recruitment strategy, adding pressure on the new appointee and the management team. Rangers are also enhancing their backroom staff with appointments like Nathan Fisher as head scout, indicating a broader effort to revamp the club's football operations under new ownership. While the move aims to inject fresh ideas and improve results, the appointment continues to divide opinion among supporters and commentators alike.