A “huge loss” for Rangers to lose to an SPFL opponent would occur because “he’s been a driving force behind the football club.”

A “huge loss” for Rangers to lose to an SPFL opponent would occur because “he’s been a driving force behind the football club.”

Vice-chairman Jim Gillespie would be a “huge loss” for St. Mirren, according to manager Stephen Robinson, if rumors of a move to the Rangers boardroom were to come to pass. In response to rumors that the Ibrox club was considering Gillespie for the chief executive post, which James Bisgrove left open in May, Robinson stated, “I can’t comment on anything about what’s been written about Jim,” prior to St. Mirren’s Premiership match against Celtic in Paisley on Sunday. Naturally, every discussion I’ve had in the last few days has been exclusively focused on St. Mirren and how we can get signings.

Jim has therefore been excellent for me. Since I’ve been here, he has been the football club’s main motivator. He was a major factor in my decision to move here and has significantly advanced the team both on and off the football field. Thus, I haven’t posed the question if it is true—and I have no idea if it is. It is not relevant to me. Although St. Mirren is my company, his departure would be devastating.

The Buddies’ Premier Sports Cup match at Tannadice last Sunday ended in a 1-0 loss to Dundee United, following their elimination from the Conference League qualifications by Norwegian team Brann. Robinson anticipates his team to mount the valiant defense they are known for against Celtic, though. “We’ve had a good rest this week, but Sunday’s game was just a game too soon in terms of getting the squad back up again,” the Northern Irishman stated. Everyone will be put to the test in this difficult challenge against Celtic, but that’s the whole point of football. Robinson will bolster his team with the addition of Killian Phillips, a former Aberdeen midfielder, and expects to have captain Mark O’Hara return to action after a thigh injury. “Killian adds a body to our midfield area,” he stated. We most likely don’t have many bodies from the Dundee United match, but as I mentioned earlier, Killian and Mark O’Hara could be in. “We need to watch how Mark responds to his injury because he has exercised a few times this week. But if we could get our captain back in, it would also be a big help to us.

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