Cammy Bell has launched a staunch defence of under-fire Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
The former Southampton and Huddersfield man has been subjected to significant criticism over his role in recruitment at the club after three heavy defeats in a row to Celtic, Ajax and Napoli.
Rangers splashed out well over £10m on Rabbi Matondo, Ben Davies and Ridvan Yilmaz in the summer, all of whom have failed to make any impact.
But former Rangers keeper Bell, now a qualified director of football in his own right who had a spell in the role at Annan, reckons Wilson has taken the club forward.
And he suggests the proof is in the Champions League pudding.
Bell told the Daily Record: “Rangers fans are demanding and rightly so. But you’ve got a guy there in Ross Wilson who is a phenomenal talent and done so well in transfer windows. Just look at the infrastructure of Rangers from where he came to the club three years ago and where they are now.
“They are a Champions League club again and fans need to remember that. They are now fighting with the elite clubs of world football. Rangers have continued to move forward in Ross’ time.
“I think Rangers possibly haven’t got the players in that they absolutely wanted to get in the window. Especially after they lost big players like Bassey and Aribo. They might look back and think they could have brought in another one or two, particularly experienced players. A lot of the guys they brought in are ones they’re probably looking to develop for the next year or so.
“But what I have to say is the players who are there from last season, who got them to the Europa League final, have not hit the standards of last season. They need to up their game dramatically.”
