‘Why did you open your chequebook?’ – Warburton questions Rangers spending

Former Rangers manager Mark Warburton has questioned the club’s financial support for Pedro Caixinha.

Warburton, who left the club in February 2017, has suggested he was ousted and did not resign as he claimed.

He was replaced by Caixinha after Rangers were 19 points behind in the title race and fighting for second place against Aberdeen.

The Portuguese manager spent the following summer on players such as Carlos Pena, Eduardo Herrera and Fabio Cardoso, all of whom proved unsuccessful.

Other signings such as Alfredo Morelos, Daniel Candeias, Graham Dorrans and Bruno Alves have been more successful.

Warburton had previously relied heavily on free transfers and loans, with small fees paid for Josh Windass, Matt Crooks and Joe Garner.

The 62-year-old now wonders why Caixinha, then an untested manager, was given such financial backing when money was tight during his time in charge.

He said: “The club needs sensible management.

“Looking back, it frustrates me that in my time we couldn’t get certain players because the money was so tight.

“Then suddenly Pedro Caixinha was appointed and the board opened up the chequebook so he could sign all these players.”

Warburton added: “I looked at him from afar and said: ‘Why didn’t you give him to us?’

“Why did we go and get Niko Kranjcar, Clint Hill, on free transfers and probably earn the lowest wages they’ve had in 20 years?

“All these players were free, so why did they open a chequebook that you told me never existed, for a guy nobody had heard of?”

“Then Steven Gerrard obviously stepped in.

“I have a lot of respect for Steven, but they’ve opened up the chequebook again and suddenly they’re signing guys for £20,000-£30,000 a week.”

Despite the financial backing of Caixinha and Gerrard, Warburton says the club needs consistent management.

He added: “The new sporting director Kevin Thelwell is a good man, someone I know well.

“I know there are still very good people at the club so you just have to hope that there can be a stable and stable management now.”