Who is Jim Gillespie? Incoming Rangers CEO is diehard fan with bulging awards cabinet caught up in St Mirren 'scandal'

Rangers lost their last chief executive to the megabucks Saudi Pro League in the Middle East but are looking just a few miles along the M8 for a replacement.

James Bisgrove stunned the Ibrox club when he left for Al-Qadsiah during the summer and chairman John Bennett has since taken on the role. But Bennett admitted he hoped to make an announcement on Bisgrove's successor soon and reports say St Mirren vice chairman Jim Gillespie could be that man.

But while there might be lest than 10 miles between the two Premiership rivals, there is a world of difference in terms of responsibility and expectation and fans will be keen to know if he is up to the job. Here, Record Sport takes a closer look at his background to see if we can provide the answer.

Aged 46, he is the a married dad of two and lifelong Rangers fan who is currently the chief executive of Renfrewshire children's charity Kibble who are part-owners of St Mirren and he is also vice chairman of the Buddies.

Well, while it's not essential, he has the club at heart given he is a Rangers fan which can't be a bad thing. But supporters will be more interested in what he can bring in a business sense and the gongs on his mantlepiece point to someone who is a perfect fit. Last summer Gillespie picked up two gongs from 12 national and six regional categories at the annual Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland Awards. He was alsoawarded Regional Director of the year for Glasgow and the West at the Institute of Director (IoD) Award in 2021. When he was appointed St Mirren vice chairman three years ago, the Buddies website described him as bringing "a wealth of experience at Director level in leadership and business transformation, with comprehensive skills in innovation,