Rangers appointed Jonatan Johansson as an assistant to Pedro Caixinha on Sunday.
Billy Stark
According to the Daily Record, Rangers considered a move for Billy Stark before appointing Jonatan Johansson as an assistant to manager Pedro Caixinha on Sunday.
The Gers landed Caixinha as their new boss last month, and he enjoyed his second win from his four games in charge on Sunday with a 4-0 win over Aberdeen.
Shortly after the final whistle, Rangers announced that Caixinha had appointed a new assistant, as Jonatan Johansson returned to the club in a coaching capacity.
The former striker has brought an end to weeks of speculation of interviews, and beat off competition from fellow former Rangers players Barry Ferguson, John Brown, Peter Lovenkrands, Alex Rae and Kevin Thomson.
Johansson now joins Helder Baptista, Pedro Malta and Jose Belman on Caixinha’s staff, and reports suggest that Rangers did actually consider one man who has no prior connection to Rangers.
The Daily Record report that Billy Stark was under consideration for the job before Johansson’s appointment, in what would have been a surprise move given his ties to Celtic.
Billy Stark
Stark, 60, not only played for Celtic, but also served as Tommy Burns’ assistant manager and later caretaker of the Bhoys, before spells in charge of Greenock Morton, St Johnstone, Queen’s Park and even the Scotland under-21’s.
Since a brief spell as caretaker of the Scottish national team between late 2012 and early 2013, Stark has been serving as Albion Rovers’ assistant manager, and was allegedly considered for a move to Rangers.
Those ties to Celtic wouldn’t have Stark the most popular of candidates for the post, and whilst he brought vast experience, it’s better for Caixinha to work with a former Rangers player in Johansson.
Would you have liked to see Rangers appoint Stark instead of Johansson?
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