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The 'reason' for new Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart's delayed Ibrox start date amid daunting double header
New Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart’s start date was reportedly delayed for three weeks due to the Ibrox side’s tough run of games coming up - including a daunting double header against Tottenham and Celtic just days before he starts.
The former Manchester United chief was announced as James Bisgrove’s successor - six months after he left for the Saudi Pro League - but won’t officially get down to business until December 16.
That date raised a few eyebrows given the 50-year-old has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford, where he spent almost two decades in various roles, at the end of last season when he was victim of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ruthless clearout of senior off-field figures.
READ MORE: Patrick Stewart announced by Rangers as new chief executive sets about Philippe Clement question
But the Herald and Times say that the Light Blues hierarchy wanted Aberdeen-born Stewart to sweep into power after sequence of fixtures that could make or break under fire manager Philippe Clement, culminating with a Premier Sports Cup final showdown against Celtic at Hampden.
That match takes place on December 15, coming just days after Rangers take on ex Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur - who thrashed Premier League champions Manchester City 4-0 at the weekend - in the Europa League at Ibrox.
The reported stated: “Rangers wanted to get their matches between now and then out of the way first before allowing their new man to get his teeth into the job.”
Rangers’ next game is in the Europa League against Nice on Thursday followed by a trip to St Johnstone on Sunday. They then have a midweek home game against Kilmarnock followed by another away day at Ross County and then that daunting Spurs-Celtic double header.
It was felt given the tough nature of the games that Stewart would be better to start his role afterwards rather than risk being impacted by any negativity if the games don’t go.
