Jonatan Johansson appointed assistant coach at Rangers

Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has added former Ibrox frontman Jonatan Johansson to his back-room staff, the club have announced.

Jonatan Johansson has joined the Rangers' coaching staff. Picture: Ian Georgeson

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Caixinha has been on the look out for a ‘local’ assistant to work alongside him since being appointed last month.

Ex-Gers servants Barry Ferguson, Alex Rae and John Brown were among those interviewed for the position but Caixinha has opted to go with Johansson,

The 41-year-old Finn is currently working as assistant manager with his country’s national team but will now be expected to give Gers’ Portuguese manager a helping hand as he gets to grips with Scottish football.

Johansson spent three years in Glasgow after moving from his homeland in 1997, netting 25 goals for Rangers while lifting the Scottish Premier League title twice.

He also enjoyed a productive stint in England with Charlton before returning to Scotland later in his career with moves to Hibernian and St Johnstone.

A statement posted on the club’s website said: “Rangers Football Club is delighted to confirm Jonatan Johansson as an assistant coach at the Club.

“Currently working as assistant manager with Finland’s national team, Jonatan brings a wealth of experience to the role and his extensive knowledge of Scottish football will be invaluable to the new management team.

“As a coach, Jonatan spent three years in charge of Motherwell’s Under-20 side - between 2012 and 2015 - before landing the Finland number two job in December.

“He retired with 106 full international caps for his country and is looking forward to taking up his new role with the Light Blues.”