Rangers make Premier League signing as Ross Wilson becomes club's new sporting director

Rangers have appointed Ross Wilson as the club's new sporting director.

Ross Wilson (right) has been appointed the new Rangers sporting director. Picture: SNS

The 36-year-old Scot leaves Premier League Southampton to take over from Mark Allen who departed Ibrox last month.

Wilson has substantial experience having started at Falkirk where he worked as the head of football development and football administration. It led to roles at Watford and Huddersfield Town before landing the director of football operations position at the St Mary's Stadium.

Wilson replaces Mark Allen. Picture: SNS

He told the Rangers website: “Firstly, and I am sure it goes without saying, I am delighted to be joining Rangers. During recent weeks I have had really positive discussions with the Club.

“The vision and passion shared collectively by the Board and by Steven in terms of the plans to continue to build the Club are exciting. Equally it was important that both the Club and I shared the same understanding of the what this role is and what the football model and culture inside the club needs to look like going forward.

“The board have been resolute in all of our discussions both now and when we spoke in the past about what the Club needs to look like and I am proud that they believe that I can help build the Club upon standards that we all agree are right for Rangers."

'Be a part of this famous club'

Wilson left the Bairns for the all-encompassing football business director role at Watford where he oversaw such aspects as player recruitment, contract negotiation and academy and football development.

In 2012 when he became Huddersfield Town's executive director and head of football operations.

He said: “Having worked in football leadership for the last 15 years and for almost a decade in England now is a good time for me to return to Glasgow and be a part of this famous club. I am excited to start next month.

“Steven and his coaching team are doing a great job with things on the pitch, along with the players of course. I know some of the squad already and the others I will get to know quickly in the coming weeks. Steven and I are in regular contact and I am looking forward to working with him and developing our relationship further.

“This role is of course about continuing the development and growth of the Club’s football operations and football infrastructure across the whole club. In that regard I am looking forward to working in and developing all areas of our football departments and none more so than the Academy with Craig Mulholland and his team.

“I have chosen to leave a fantastic job and people who I am really close to. Southampton isn’t an easy place to leave and it had to be a really interesting opportunity to consider leaving behind what I had there.

“This job, at this stage in my career, was one I felt I had to take and I am both excited and determined to ensure that in working together with the board, Steven and all of our staff we can continue to build an excellent, modern football infrastructure and a winning Rangers.”

'Terrific track record'

Stewart Robertson, the club's managing director, hailed the appointment.

He said: “We have been aware of the capabilities and expertise of Ross for a long time and when we found we had to move for someone to fill the role left vacant by the departure of Mark Allen, we had no hesitation in looking again to Ross, who is highly regarded within the game.

“He has a terrific track record and he shares our view of what is required to restore Rangers as the dominant force in Scottish football. Ross also shares our vision, and that of our manager Steven Gerrard, of where we want to position this Club in the years ahead.

“We are delighted Ross has chosen to join us to guide and add greater momentum to the progress already made and I look forward to working with him."