Kevin Thelwell has directly addressed the decision to appoint his son Robbie to a key role at Rangers.
At the unveiling of Danny Rohl as the club's new manager, Thelwell was quizzed on the recruitment of Robbie Thelwell as head of recruitment.
The sporting director insisted his son "doesn't need my help" in his football career as he stated the decision to bring him to Rangers was led by technical director Dan Purdy.
Purdy had wanted to take Thelwell junior to Everton in his previous role but Thelwell senior stopped the appointment, stating he didn't believe his son was ready for the position.
However, when Purdy pushed for Thelwell junior to be recruited by Rangers, sporting director Thelwell admitted it was "difficult to say no". Thelwell Jr will report to Purdy in his role at Ibrox.
"I think it is always uncomfortable to hear," said Thelwell of criticism from supporters over his son's appointment. "And optically, I think we all agreed when we made this step to appoint Robbie that it was going to be seen in a particular way.
"But the reality of the situation is we want to bring the very best talent here to Rangers Football Club.
"My view on Robbie's career, Robbie's situation is, he doesn't need my help in football.
"He has worked at Aston Villa as a senior scout, he then moved to Norwich City as head of scouting and then got promoted to player pathways manager.
"And before we recruited him, two Premier League clubs wanted to take him.
"Dan Purdy - who is the technical director, who he will work for - wanted to take him to Everton Football Club when I was there.
"I told him that that shouldn't be the case and I didn't think he was ready.
"But when the situation came around again and Dan wanted to take him again, it was very difficult to say no.
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"What we did do, right at the very start of that process, was to talk to Patrick, to Andrew, Paraag and the board and talk to them about the situation.
"I was extremely transparent about that was what Dan wanted to do and I think Robbie probably went through a more rigorous process than probably anybody else that is employed by this football club, truth be known.
"What I do know, is he will work 25/8 to bring success for this football club, and him and Dan will work very closely together and very well together.
"And I am looking forward to him proving that he is going to be an excellent employee for Rangers."
