Mark Warburton agrees new deal to stay at Rangers until 2019

Mark Warburton set to sign new contract this week. Picture: SNS Group

The 53-year-old took charge of Rangers 12 months ago on an initial three-year deal. His future had been the subject of speculation this summer amid suggestions negotiations over an improved and extended contract had stalled. But Warburton last night confirmed both he and his assistant, David Weir, the former Rangers captain, will formally put pen to paper on their new deals over the next few days.

“I will be signing a deal this week,” he said. “I’ve agreed a deal with the club to commit longer term, for another year until 2019. I have thoroughly enjoyed being at Rangers. It is a privilege to be Rangers manager. I hope very much the club think we had a good season last year and that are happy with how myself, David, the staff and players have performed. It is a nice combination to have. David is in the same situation. We will both sign new deals, probably tomorrow, another year’s extension on the current deals.”

Former Brentford manager Warburton was dismissive of claims the delay in concluding contract talks was indicative of any problems in his relationship with Rangers chairman Dave King and the board of directors.

“People were asking ‘why hasn’t he signed?’ but I was away on holiday,” he added. “The owner (sic) and the board were also busy. Suddenly it was ‘Warburton’s not signing’ and ‘the club haven’t done this or that’. It wasn’t like that at all. I went on holiday for two weeks to avoid divorce and the club were busy anyway.”

Warburton guided Rangers to the Championship title and promotion to the Premiership in his first season at the helm, also winning the Challenge Cup and reaching the Scottish Cup final.

The Englishman is now relishing the challenge of trying to re-establish Rangers at the summit of Scottish  football.

“We said last year we started laying the foundations for what is a long-term project,” added Warburton.

“We can now get our teeth into it and push forward. We know what we have to do, we know where the club wants to be.”