Rangers to appoint new director of football by Friday

RANGERS hope to finally unveil their new director of football on Friday, Press Association Sport understands.

And a replacement for former boss Mark Warburton could be confirmed as early as next week.

The Ladbrokes Premiership club have spent the three weeks since the Englishman departed drawing up a blueprint for their new-look management structure.

And Ibrox chiefs now believe they are in a position to announce the man who will assume the director of football post, with Southampton’s head of scouting and recruitment Ross Wilson believed to be their preferred candidate.

A four-man shortlist – which includes Alex McLeish and Pedro Caixinha – has been drawn up for the manager’s position and Ibrox insiders say a final decision could be made before the Light Blues travel to Celtic to face their bitter rivals on March 12.

Graeme Murty remains the man in charge for now and the relieved caretaker boss praised his under-fire players as they ended a miserable month with victory over St Johnstone.

The 10-man Light Blues had Emerson Hyndman to thank for his stoppage-time winner after blowing a two-goal lead.

Their 3-2 triumph was their first league win since the end of January and sees them trim second-placed Aberdeen’s lead back to six points.

“The main emotion is relief that a group of players who fully deserved the win managed to come off with three points,” said Murty.

“It’s an easy stick to beat footballers with to say they don’t care, that they are overpaid and don’t care about the shirt. But our guys’ reaction tonight will reveal that to be a lie and I’m really happy for them.

“They have taken a bit of a shoeing over the last few weeks. But they are going out of here with a good result in difficult circumstances, so I’d like to pat them on the back.”

Barrie McKay slammed home Gers’ opener after 22 minutes before Martyn Waghorn headed a second just after the break.

But Gers took their foot of the gas and allowed David Wotherspoon to strike before Rob Kiernan got himself sent off for a needless lunge on Graham Cummins.

Saints skipper Steven Anderson thought he had grabbed a point with three minutes left – only for Hyndman to have the last laugh.

Saints boss Tommy Wright admitted the defeat was another blow after watching his side put on their worst performance of his three-year reign when losing to Kilmarnock at the weekend.

He said: “There was a lot of disappointment on Saturday with the performance – but it’s a different kind of disappointment tonight.

“We should see the game out and we didn’t. I’m gutted for the lads because they showed both character and quality to get back in it. It’s a huge disappointment.”