Rangers can't make another transfer mess as former DOF urges them to park James Bisgrove replacement hunt

The hunt is on for James Bisgrove’s Rangers replacement.

But Gordon Smith has advised his old side to pause their search for the key off-field appointment and put full focus on making sure Philippe Clement gets his on-field recruitment right. The former Ibrox director of football admits he was left surprised by the shock announcement that chief exec Bisgrove is swapping Govan for the Gulf after taking up a lucrative job offer in Saudi Arabia.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Gers board as Clement prepares to carry out yet another squad rebuild after watching Celtic snatch a Double from under their eyes. There’s plenty of wheeling and dealing to be done in the days and weeks ahead, with as many as 10 new players required this summer. But with Bisgrove due to clear his desk within the next fortnight before taking up his new role with Saudi Pro League new boys Al Qadsiah, it will be left to chairman John Bennett to lead the negotiations.

Gers insiders are confident the transfer plans manager Clement and recruitment chief Nils Koppen spent months putting together will not be affected by Bisgrove’s sudden departure. They’re also adamant they are willing to wait to ensure they get the right man to replace Bisgrove.

And Smith insists that’s the right move as he warned Gers they cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. He said: “There’s a few people in Scotland who might make good candidates for the chief executive job but the main priority for the next few weeks isn’t hiring a CEO, it’s hiring the right players.

“Rangers need to get the recruitment right because over the last two years, I don’t think they’ve done that. They need to improve on that record and look at the positions which are key.

“I’m pleased to see