Football News: Rangers - New Dawn or Waste of Money?
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Pre-Season seems a lot shorter to me now than it did quite a few years ago, the pasting at the hands of Motherwell wasn't that long ago, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if Lee Erwin was still smarting the bruises he suffered at the hands of Bilel Mohsni, and Rangers fans probably still fell the pain and embarrassment of the footballing lesson that Ian Baraclough's charges dished out on Stuart McCall's confidence shy squad.
However a few weeks seems a long time ago when you have a look at the Ibrox management team and squad, although Ally McCoist technically still has the job title of Rangers manager as he sees out his gardening leave and Stuart McCall ponders his next move in club management, the managers office at Ibrox has been occupied by former Brentford boss Mark Warburton.
The wealthy former city trader, traded his suits for tracksuits and paid his own way in building a career as a coach in football.
After spells on the coaching staff at Watford and Brentford, Warburton found himself a gaffer in his own right and after guiding Brentford to promotion to the Championship and narrowly missing out on the Premiership, Warburton and his trusted number 2, former Rangers captain, Davie Weir find themselves at Ibrox.
Just a few weeks into his Ibrox reign and there is an air of optimism amongst the Ibrox support that has been missing for a long time, and the boardroom talk has taken a back seat to talk about formations, signings and a footballing philosophy.
While the boardroom angst continues with some new charges in Dave King, Paul Murray and co, Warburton has been entrusted with a budget, albeit a modest budget compared to some Rangers managers, to turn around the fortunes of a side who were a distant third in their push for promotion to the Scottish Premier League.
No fewer than 15 of last seasons first team and academy players left at the end of their contracts and Warburton has been busy at work, trying to find able replacements who in his own words, add value on and off the park.
Last seasons Championship winner Danny Wilson rejoined Rangers from Hearts and was quickly followed by Rob Kiernan from Wigan Athletic. Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and midfielder Jordan Thompson joined from Swindon Town and Manchester United respectively and were soon followed by Andy Halliday, released by Bradford City at the end of the season, but the 2 most recent signings, James Tavernier and former England Under 21 international Martyn Waghorn from Wigan Athletic have brought some real enthusiasm amongst the Rangers faithful. There is also a feel that the pre season business is not finished yet, with former Hearts midfielder Jason Holt and veteran John Eustace on trial and rumours of bids for Scott Allan of Hibs and Sheffield Wednesday striker Stevie May.
A fair cry from days of old when Laudrup, Gascoigne and de Boer brothers were being paraded on the South side of Glasgow, but Warburton seemed determined to get his men and will be hopeful that the new signings and new footballing style will push Rangers along nicely this season, and while £400,000 seems a relatively small outlay for most teams, time will tell whether it is a smart investment in the New Dawn at Rangers or a further waste of money.
Written by Dave Laurie July 21 2015 15:51:17
