Rangers confirmed the appointment of Ross Wilson as the club’s new sporting director yesterday. Southampton’s head of recruitment will replace Mark Allen in the role at Ibrox.
It is believed that Wilson was Gers managing director Stewart Robertson’s first choice before they appointed Allen to the position. He has reportedly rejected two previous offers to make the switch back to Scotland but Rangers have finally got their man.
Fans on Twitter are happy with Wilson’s appointment and they are hopeful that he can assist manager Steven Gerrard in making good decisions in the transfer market:
Great news ???
— Claire Paterson (@babeclaire1) October 14, 2019
Fantastic appointment WELL DONE AGAIN @RangersFC board But but but says Phil ???
— Nooshy (@RossMcIsaac) October 14, 2019
Welcome to The Famous ?⚪?
A great appointment, another step forward ??— Bobby Blue Bayou (@ProfPlum3) October 14, 2019
Terrific appointment. Heard this guy speak at Hampden SFA Conference in 2017 and he stole the show
— Graeme Mullin (@Mulser) October 14, 2019
Welcome to the party ?
— ??Kenny Young??????? (@kennyyoung1) October 14, 2019
Brilliant!
— Greggsy (@mcmgers) October 14, 2019
Good business!
— Scott Rodgers (@S_Rodgers10) October 14, 2019
People need to remember he's not a scout. Similar to Mark Allen they're working to improve the club, including at academy level and some of the way the club is run. There's already a scout systems in place for unearthing talent that Mark Allen helped set up
— Gordon Smith (@Gord07) October 14, 2019
Hopefully he is as successful as Mark Allen was
— Ross Armour (@RossArmour346) October 14, 2019
Excellent news, good signing for a non player with his background and pedigree, welcome I say.
— Scottish& Proud (@ArgyllWarrior) October 14, 2019
Wilson started out at Watford’s youth team manager before moving back to his home town Falkirk in 2009. Following a three year spell with the Scottish side, he moved down south to become Huddersfield’s Director of Scouting and Recruitment before making the switch to Southampton in 2015.
During his time at the Saints, he helped recruit the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Oriol Romeu and Nathan Redmond, although it must be said there have been a few duds during his four-year stint as well.