Nils Koppen technical director appointment throws up pundit question after 'unimpressive' recruitment

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Nils Koppen’s appointment as Rangers’ technical director this week was met with skepticism by some sections of the support.

The Belgian has been in the door at Ibrox since last December as director of football recruitment.

His track record has been steady, the likes of Hamza Igamane and Nedim Bajrami in particular have shown flashes of talent while Jefte has also had some decent showings.

It was a somewhat unexpected move, however, with no chief executive in situ while a full-time chairman has also, as yet, not been brought to the club with John Gilligan still the interim chair.

• READ MORE: Nils Koppen names three Rangers priorities and hints at Auchenhowie return for familiar faces

So when the club announced Koppen’s promotion, there were questions. Koppen answered some with his Scottish talent signing plans as well as explaining the difference between Koppen’s new role and his old one.

Now those queries have been echoed further by pundit Andy Walker who has not been convinced in the chief’s signings since he arrived in Glasgow almost a full year ago.

The former Scotland and Motherwell striker believes Gers proved their impatience by announcing Koppen in his new role before permanent leaders above the 39-year-old arrived.

That, for Walker, sets some alarm bells ringing as he pondered what the full fanbase might think about the club’s call and what it might mean for the future – including the coming January transfer window.

Nils Koppen was appointed technical director after being Rangers’ director of recruitment

“I wonder what Rangers fans think of it because their recent transfer business, in my view, has been unimpressive,” Walker said on GO Radio.

“They have signed players for a lot of money and you’re not really seeing a return on the pitch. You’ve also paid a lot of money for players and let them go for very little.

“We’re on the cusp of another transfer window, I can only imagine Rangers have their eyes on a number of players but yet again given the last set of accounts, they were quite alarming figures, you wonder what Rangers have to spend in this window.

“There’s a lot of work to be done there and I’ll say it again, I’ve always felt Rangers have been too quick to make decisions, they are very impatient.

Andy Walker has not been impressed by Koppen’s signing track record

“I don’t know who’s made this decision, I’m assuming John Gilligan has made this appointment so he must have the authority to nail him down and give him the scope to do the business in a couple of months.”

Show host Paul Cooney reminded listeners that Koppen is only 39-years-old and has a long career ahead, but Walker chimed in: “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, what matters is the type of player, value for money you’re bringing in.

“He’s been there a while I’m assuming he’s got a good understanding, relationship with Philippe Clement.

“They’d have to be in tune. But recent business has been so unimpressive I just wonder what Rangers supporters think of it, do they back this appointment and think it will be a success?”

Kris Boyd was livid with Rangers’ call to promote Koppen as he launched into a rant about his lack of success in the transfer market.