Rangers have appointed former St. Mirren assistant manager Mark Spalding as the club’s new Head of Intermediate Academy, working with the Gers under-13s up to under-16s at the Hummel Training Centre.
Spalding has previously worked in the Academy at Rangers and Falkirk, as well as in first-team roles with Dumbarton and St. Mirren and comes with a wealth of experience.
The 34-year-old was working as Technical Director for Global Premier Soccer in the United States, with responsibility for the development of young players across an incredible 26 states and can’t wait to get started in his new role.
“I’m really, really excited,” Spalding said, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
“Every facet of the club is exciting and what Rangers are doing is incredible right now. We’ve seen young Nathan Patterson and Kai Kennedy make their debuts recently so it looks like a case of if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
Spalding worked with Rangers’ Sporting Director Ross Wilson at Falkirk and Spalding believes that he owes his career to the man in charge of overseeing the entire football department at Rangers.
With Wilson pushing on with improving the club’s coaching, recruitment and medical staff, Spalding admits that he couldn’t turn down the chance to head to Ibrox, saying: “What he did was incredible, actually. Without his guidance then I don’t think I’d have had the career I’ve had to date.
“Everywhere he’s been, he’s been successful. And when Rangers come calling it’s really not something you can say no to.”