Rangers manager Steven Gerrard would have liked Mark Allen to stay at Ibrox longer

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The Ibrox boss was said to see his former Director of Football leave Rangers.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes there’s ‘a void’ at Ibrox after the departure of Mark Allen, admitting he’d have preferred his former colleague to have stayed at the club longer, The Scottish Sun report.

The Gers announced Allen’s exit on Friday night, releasing a statement suggesting that Allen left because of ‘family reasons’.

Conflicting reports have emerged since, which suggest the decision makers at the club were not very happen with his inability to move on deadwood from Gerrard’s squad.

The Ibrox boss though is adamant that his exit is a loss to the club.

As quoted by The Scottish Sun, he said: “It doesn’t change things for me in terms of my role. But there is a void there at the moment.

“Mark has been brilliant for me and given me incredible support. He sold the job to me – not that it needed selling – as the man who came and got me, which I’ll always appreciate. But I totally respect and understand his decision.”

“He has lived away from his family for two years and he was brought into this club at a time when it needed shaking up. Mark was the person and the character to do that and get the club where it is now. I would have wanted him to stay around a bit longer.”

How to take Allen’s exit?

The departure of the former recruitment chief certainly came as a surprise. The timing of the announcement, the evening before the return of club football, was a little odd too.

Gerrard is adamant he was valued at Ibrox. He and Allen appeared to have a strong relationship. It was notable during pre-season that the two were often pictured and videoed together strategising ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

If others at the club were not particularly happy with his performance, as The Scottish Daily Mail suggest, then Rangers fans will be hoping that does not in turn rock the boat with the Liverpool legend.

Right now the message seems unified. Rangers certainly can’t afford to indulge in any off field drama right now, as they continue to build towards competing for trophies on the pitch.

Allen helped Gerrard build the squad that the club hope will do that. Now it’s up to both the Ibrox boss and Allen’s successor to follow up and complete the job.