Rangers would face a “very hard sell” to their fans if they appointed Hibernian chief executive Ben Kensell, according to Chris Jack. Discussing the potential move on the Rangers Review (13 November), Jack responded after Jonny MacFarlane linked Kensell as a candidate to fill the vacancy left by James Bisgrove at Ibrox.
Both Chris Jack and Jonny MacFarlane were surprised by the possibility of Rangers appointing Hibernian CEO Ben Kensell, especially considering Hibernian are currently bottom of the Premiership. The Gers had already been rejected by Jim Gillespie of St. Mirren, further complicating the situation. Jack commented, “I’m not sure where this rumour has surfaced from or where it’s originated from – it’s certainly not one that I’ve heard.” He acknowledged that Rangers’ board is looking for someone familiar with the Scottish football landscape but expressed doubt that Kensell would be the right choice.
Jack added, “It was going to be a hard job to sell bringing someone in from St. Mirren – given Hibs’ position and their recent football fortunes, it would be a very hard sell to try and convince Rangers fans that’s the right route to go down.” He emphasized the challenge Rangers would face in convincing their supporters that appointing Kensell would be a good move, given Hibernian’s struggles this season.
Rangers’ CEO search continues as pressure mounts at Ibrox, with the club now going six months without a permanent replacement since James Bisgrove’s departure in May. The prolonged vacancy has raised concerns about the club’s leadership, leaving Rangers feeling rudderless from the top down. Finding a new CEO with experience in Scottish football has proven to be a significant challenge, especially as the boardroom shrinks further, and even the chairman’s position remains uncertain.
Interim chairman John Gilligan, who stepped in after John Bennett’s resignation for health reasons, has made replacing James Bisgrove his top priority, but progress has been slow. Finding a senior board member from a Premiership club, especially one from a struggling side like Hibernian, has proven difficult. This comes as Rangers continue to face challenges on and off the pitch, with Celtic and Aberdeen currently leading both the league table and in terms of overall club management. Unless Rangers can successfully appoint a new CEO, the club’s current malaise may persist.