On Monday afternoon, Rangers made a major announcement.
Both the Women’s first-team and Academy system have been fully integrated into the club’s football operations.
The announcement shows the club’s board are making good on promises made at the AGM way back in November.
In practice, it means a number of big changes for women’s football at Rangers.
The first-team will now play all their home matches at the Hummel Training Centre. Furthermore, increased investment means the club can hand out professional contracts to some current playing staff and recruit professional players from elsewhere.
The move also has also brought in some changes to job titles. Amy McDonald has been promoted to Women and Girl’s Football Manager, Gregory Vignal named Rangers Women Head Coach, while Sara Speirs takes up the post of Women’s and Girl’s Operations Coordinator.
Allen on the case
This move also brings increased responsibility to Mark Allen. Women’s football performance will now also fall under his remit as Director of Football.
“I am incredibly proud to be integrating the Women’s and Girls’ Programme at Rangers with the rest of the football department, creating a one club philosophy”, Allen told the club’s website.
“There is so much scope for us to grow and develop a successful Academy and first-team. Rangers, historically, are a club which wins trophies and the women’s team should be no different.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the club to bring the women’s football up to the same standard as the men’s game. Women’s football has been thrust into the global consciousness with the World Cup this summer and now we have the chance to grow Rangers’ brand globally within the women’s game.
“This is a positive time for the whole football club, from top to bottom and to now have the chance to build another winning Rangers team, playing the Rangers way, is something I am greatly looking forward to the challenge of.”
Verdict
This is a major change to the club’s footballing department. Once more, it shows a willingness from the board to invest into the club.
After a record-breaking Women’s World Cup, there’s no doubt this is a great time to make this move.
At first-team level, the Gers currently trail the likes of Glasgow City, Celtic, and Hibernian in the league table [Soccerway]. Hopefully, over the next few seasons, these changes will help deliver greater success on the pitch.
