Rangers are reportedly set to appoint Manchester City’s Mark Allen as their new Director of Football.
Chelsea’s Charlie Colkett and Manchester City’s Bersant Celina in action
As reported by the Glasgow Evening Times, Rangers are set to appoint Manchester City’s Mark Allen as their new Director of Football after a lengthy search.
The Gers have been looking for a Director of Football since allowing Frank McParland to leave the club alongside Mark Warburton in February, and they finally appear to have landed their man.
General View of Ibrox Stadium
Allen has been serving as Manchester City’s Academy Director throughout Sheikh Mansour’s time at the Etihad Stadium, but after nine years in the job, he is set for a move to Ibrox.
Allen’s move means he will be overseeing transfers at Ibrox, and his connections with City could at least open up the possibility of taking players on loan from the Premier League giants.
Manchester City’s Bersant Celina in action
One young talent who could be available for loan this summer is Kosovo international Bersant Celina, who has returned to City after a season-long loan deal with Twente, where he hit five goals and four assists.
The 20-year-old playmaker joined City from Stromsgodset in 2012, meaning Allen has overseen his development over recent years, but he has made just two first-team appearances for City.
Celina suggested to NRK earlier this week that he wants a loan move to the Championship, with Bolton, Ipswich and Leeds named as three possible destinations – but Allen’s arrival at Rangers should give them an opportunity to test the water.
Kosovo’s Bersant Celina holds off Croatia’s Sime Vrsaljko
Playing in front of huge crowds at Ibrox and featuring in the Europa League could be enough to tempt Celina away from a Championship loan move and into heading to Scotland instead, whilst reuniting with Allen could also be appealing.
Capable of playing out wide or as a No. 10, Celina could be a creative force for Rangers, who should still be looking for additions on the flanks even after signing Daniel Candeias and Dalcio from Benfica.
Question marks hang over the futures of Michael O’Halloran, Martyn Waghorn and Barrie McKay, whilst attacking midfielder Josh Windass could also leave, meaning a player like Celina – who could play in either role – would be valuable for Gers boss Pedro Caixinha.
One of the keys to being a great Director of Football is using contacts effectively, and heading back to City to strengthen the Rangers squad should be a priority for Allen, with Celina one player that he would be smart to target this summer in the hope that they can pip the likes of Bolton, Ipswich and Leeds to his signature.
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