THE frontrunner for Rangers’ director of football role Ross Wilson will make Ibrox chiefs wait a little longer for his answer, it is understood.
The Light Blues have identified Southampton’s head of scouting and recruitment as the man they want to head up their new management structure.
Club insiders hoped to confirm the appointment of the 34-year-old - who started his career as a player liaison officer with Falkirk before roles at Watford and Huddersfield – yesterday.
But now it appears he has asked for more time to consider Gers’ offer.
Rangers are also close to naming a successor to former manager Mark Warburton, with surprise candidate Pedro Caixinha understood to be the favourite.
Managing director Stewart Robertson, head of football administration Andrew Dickson and director Graeme Park met with the Portuguese coach – currently in charge of Qatari outfit Al-Gharafa – in London last week. And he has now jumped ahead of rival contenders Alex McLeish and Gary Rowett for the vacant position.
Chairman Dave King hopes to have talks concluded on both roles early next week, with Caixinha eager to be in position in time to face Celtic at Parkhead a week tomorrow.
However, Graeme Murty will remain in charge for today’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hamilton.
The Under-20s boss was relieved to pick up his first Ladbrokes Premiership win on Wednesday night as the Ibrox side claimed a 3-2 triumph over St Johnstone.
Emerson Hyndman provided a stoppage-time winner – but only after Gers had thrown away a two-goal lead in the final 15 minutes.
Murty could barely hide his relief at full-time and midfielder Jon Toral praised the stand-in boss’ efforts during the chaotic fall-out that followed Warburton’s exit.
The Spaniard said: “It was massive for Graeme on Wednesday. He has put a lot of effort into the other games as well, he has really helped us and for us to give him that first league win was crucial.
“At the minute we are just thinking about the cup tie on Saturday and then whatever happens happens. It is not for us to talk about really because we are just focused on the weekend’s game.
“If a new manager has until the end of the season to work with the players and then to kick on next season it would be great for the club.”
Toral admitted he has to up his own game: “I knew it would be tough here, I knew I would need a few games to get match fit and I think every game that I have played I have felt better physically.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here