The Rangers manager Steven Gerrard could soon have a new director of football to work with at Ibrox.
Ross Wilson is ‘almost certain’ to become the new director of football at Rangers, according to The Daily Record.
The highly-regarded Scot has occupied similar roles at Falkirk, Watford, Huddersfield Town and his current club, Southampton, and has been linked with Rangers on several occasions before now.
In that time, Wilson has accrued an extensive list of contacts. But which of those on it could follow him to Rangers, if he does indeed arrive at Ibrox?
Here are three potential targets…
Alex McCarthy (Southampton)
All three of Rangers’ senior goalkeepers – plus the loaned out Jak Alnwick – are out of contract next summer, although it is likely that Allan McGregor – at least – will be offered a new one. If that doesn’t happen, however, then a new number one will be required (given McGregor’s advancing years, there may be a need for one either way). And McCarthy, who has been capped once by England, could be of the required calibre. The 29-year-old was signed during Wilson’s Southampton reign and had a spell as first-choice before Angus Gunn replaced him. Should Gunn continue in goal then McCarthy may be open to move.
Harrison Reed (Southampton)
Central midfield is another area in which Rangers could be left short in 2020, with the deals of Andy King and Steven Davis also up. And Reed is one potential replacement who may come under consideration. Another player off the esteemed Southampton production line, the 24-year-old has been unable to force his way into the first-team despite his early promise. This season’s loan spell at Fulham is his third in as many campaigns (having also spent time with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers) and a permanent move could be in store next summer, when he will have just one year left on his contract. Fulham do, however, have an option to buy him outright.
Nahki Wells (Burnley)
Rangers’ strikers are firing at the minute, which is unlikely to aid the Premiership leaders’ chances of keeping them, although Jermain Defoe – at least – is keen to stay put, as he claimed in an interview with Sky Sports earlier this week. But should either he or Alfredo Morelos leave then recruiting another goalscorer could be in order. Wells, who has rediscovered his goalscoring touch while on loan to QPR this season (he has six in 10 games for Mark Warburton’s team), may be an option, having been signed by Wilson for Huddersfield and having entered the final year of his contract at Burnley – who paid a reported fee of £5 million to sign him.
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