Rangers “unexpectedly” sacked kitman Jim McAlister shortly before pre-season, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported (20 October) that the former Dundee and Greenock Morton captain made the move to Rangers as a kitman before his dismissal at the start of this season, ending his two-year spell at the club.
McAlister was replaced by a former Liverpool kitman but has since joined Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
Strange
While the nature of McAlister’s dismissal from the club is unknown, it seems strange for him to have been let go especially right before pre-season.
As per The Sun (25 September), McAlister ended his playing days and even rejected a testimonial at Greenock Morton, to assist Jimmy Bell as Rangers’ kitman in his “dream role”. After Bell’s passing, he assumed the role of chief kitman.
He was clearly very attached to his boyhood club, so his unexpected dismissal feels odd. Plenty of behind-the-scenes decisions are made that the fans are none the wiser ton
The Athletic’s report notes a distinct lack of Scottish and Rangers-supporting members of staff at the club, and after McAlister’s dismissal, the club had one fewer.
While the backroom doesn’t need to be packed with solely Rangers supporters, having members of staff who have a deep passion for the club is useful and can rub off on new players.
However, his move to Saudi Arabia means his spell away from football was very short-lived, but the Ibrox faithful will be curious about the nature of his departure.
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