Kevin Thelwell defends Rangers appointment of his son as he’s grilled on summer recruitment
The summer signing spree by the sporting director has been under major scrutiny – alongside one key appointment
16:48, 21 Oct 2025
Sporting director Kevin Thelwell has defended the decision to name his son as Rangers head of recruitment.
Amid a disastrous start to the season which saw Russell Martin axed after just 17 games, Robbie Thelwell moved north from Norwich City, where he has been head of technical scouting and loan management since 2024.
The decision raised eyebrows of the already irked Ibrox faithful – who have protests against both Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart this term with the struggling Glasgow giants only registering one win in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.
But while appearing alongside, US owner Andrew Cavenagh, CEO Patrick Stewart at the unveiling of new boss Danny Rohl he insists that while the optics were not perfect, he believes his son will be a success at Ibrox.
Asked about the criticism from the Rangers’ support over the call, he said: “I think it is always uncomfortable to hear.
“And optically, I think we all agreed when we made this step to appoint Robbie that it was going to be seen in a particular way.
“But the reality of the situation is we want to bring the very best talent here to Rangers Football Club.
“My view on Robbie’s career, Robbie’s situation is, he doesn’t need my help in football. He has worked at Aston Villa as a senior scout, he then moved to Norwich City as head of scouting and then got promoted to player pathways manager.
“And before we recruited him, two Premier League clubs wanted to take him. Dan Purdy – who is the technical director, who he will work for – wanted to take him to Everton Football Club when I was there.
“I told him that that shouldn’t be the case and I didn’t think he was ready.
“But when the situation came around again and Dan wanted to take him again, it was very difficult to say no.
“What we did do, right at the very start of that process, was to talk to Patrick, to Andrew, Paraag (Marathe, 49ers Enterprises) and the board and talk to them about the situation.
“I was extremely transparent about that was what Dan wanted to do and I think Robbie probably went through a more rigorous process than probably anybody else that is employed by this football club, truth be known.
“What I do know, is he will work 25/8 to bring success for this football club, and him and Dan will work very closely together and very well together.
“And I am looking forward to him proving that he is going to be an excellent employee for Rangers.”
Askou has been impressed with Falkirk, who drew 1-1 with Rangers last time out(Image: Kirk O’Rourke/Rangers FC/Shutterstock)
The moves in the summer window have faced intense scrutiny with the Glasgow giants languishing in mid-table.
Asked if he accepts the recruitment has not been good enough, Thelwell insists the struggling stars will come good: “I think it’s a fair question, and if I look at the first eight games it’s very difficult to say otherwise.
“We think that it’s a good group who is capable of much more. We hope, with the appointment of Danny, we have got the opportunity to show their quality this season in a much stronger way.
“I think we have recruited a strong group that are very capable. Hopefully in the next group of games you are able to see Thelo Aasgaard show their potential to the fans.”
The £8million addition of Youssef Chermiti also raised eyebrows of supporters in the summer – the biggest spend by the club on one player since Tore Andre Flo in 2000.
Thelwell insists that the 21-year-old – who he also singed for Everton – will come good: “Youssef Chermiti is a player who has huge potential, that I have never doubted in any shape or form.
“I think Danny will help get the best out of Youssef. It’s very early days for him. He is a young talent, and of course with young talents they sometimes take a little bit of time. I am certain over the course here he is going to prove that he is a very, very good player.”
