Rangers confirm Pedro Caixinha as manager

Pedro Caixinha poses at Ibrox after being confirmed as the new Rangers manager on a three-year deal. Picture: Kirk O'Rourke/Rangers FC/Press Association Images

However, the 46-year-old, who has signed a three-year-deal, will begin working at the training ground on Monday. Graeme Murty will remain in the dugout against Celtic with the Portuguese coach watching on from the stands.

It puts an end to a managerial saga which has been rumbling on in the build-up to the Old Firm clash. In statement on Rangers’ official website confirmed that he was the club’s number one target.

He joins from Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa, becoming the club’s 16th manager and the fourth permanent non-Scottish coach.

“It is a great honour to join Rangers Football Club,” Caixinha told the club’s website. “This club has a great history and tradition and I am proud to follow in the footsteps of legendary Rangers managers like Walter Smith, Graeme Souness and Jock Wallace.

“Rangers is a name that is known worldwide and I am looking forward to forging a positive relationship with supporters and meeting the playing squad and staff at the club. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead and I assure all our fans that I will do all I can to provide a winning and entertaining Rangers team.”

Caixinha’s most successful stint as manager came at Mexican club Santos Laguna where he picked up three major honours in a spell which lasted two and a half years.

He has also managed Uniao Leiria and Nacional in his homeland and had assistant manager roles at Sporting Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest and the Saudi Arabian national side.

Pedro Caixinha has been confirmed as Rangers new manager on a three-year-deal. Picture: ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said: “We are delighted to welcome Pedro to Rangers. We compiled a shortlist of high-quality candidates for the position but we knew after our initial meeting with Pedro that he was the right man to take this club forward.

“He is a man of great experience and authority and the Board has no doubt he will help us achieve our long-term goals. I would like to thank the Rangers supporters for their patience throughout the process but we were determined to appoint the best candidate possible.

“I would also like to thank Graeme Murty for taking control of the first team. He will complete his duties at Celtic Park on Sunday before returning to his role with the under-20s and Pedro will begin his work on Monday morning.”

The passionate coach speaks fluent English having worked previously with Celtic and having earned coaching qualifications at the Scottish Football Association’s coach education centre at Largs.

Caixinha backroom team will be confirmed in due course.