Why Cavanagh’s early signs matter at Rangers

I’ve got a bit of optimism about Andrew Cavanagh going forward, and it’s not based on soundbites or fancy slogans. It’s the small stuff, the basic things you notice when someone arrives at Rangers and seems to understand the weight of the place.

A businessman is fine, but “getting Rangers” matters more

Of course you want your chairman or owner to be sharp in business. Rangers need to be run properly, with proper planning, clear decisions, and a modern approach that doesn’t drift from one idea to the next. That part is obvious.

But the bigger point is whether he actually gets what Rangers are, and what the club needs to be again. Not in a nostalgic way, but in a serious, top-of-Scottish-football way. We all know the standards here are different. The expectations are relentless. You don’t get time to settle in, and you certainly don’t get away with being distant or vague.

That’s why the impression matters. If you’re going to take Rangers forward, you need to understand the institution. The history is there, but so is the demand to keep up with modern football and operate like a big club should. No shortcuts, no muddled messaging, no looking surprised when supporters react strongly.

That moment outside the Bill Struth stand said plenty

Before the St Mirren game on Tuesday night, Cavanagh being out at the Bill Struth Main Stand front doors, talking to supporters and posing for pictures, might sound like a simple gesture. And it is. But it’s also telling.

Rangers supporters can spot a phoney a mile off. They can also spot someone who’s genuinely comfortable in that environment, someone willing to be seen and willing to listen. That’s not the whole job, obviously, but it’s part of it. At this club, the relationship between the boardroom and the stands isn’t a nice extra. It’s central.

Supporters want kept in the loop, not spoken down to

The feeling I’m getting, and it’s only a first impression, is that he wants supporters involved and up to speed with what the new owners are trying to achieve. That’s exactly the approach you’d hope for.

No fan is asking for every detail of every decision. But people do want clarity, honesty, and a sense that there’s a plan. If Rangers are serious about getting back to where we belong, the club can’t afford to treat communication like an afterthought.

So yes, it’s early. But if the tone is “we respect you, we’re listening, and we know what this club demands”, that’s a good start. And truth is, Rangers could do with more of those good starts turning into proper momentum.

Written by Sir Walter Smith OBE: 2 January 2026