Rangers boss Michael Beale has claimed that the departure of Ross Wilson for Nottingham Forest will not disrupt the club’s summer plan for transfers.
The Gers are coming to terms with the departure of the controversial director, who’d been unable to get the football department raising enough silverware over its head during his three-and-a-half year stint.
The last few windows in particular – combined with that 12 point gap with Celtic – had plenty calling for the ex-Southampton man’s head and now Ross Wilson has moved on to Nottingham Forest.
This comes ahead of a substantial summer of activity ahead for Rangers, who have several big players and veteran stars out of contract whilst Michael Beale has been clear change is coming.
Michael Beale: Ross Wilson departures doesn’t change Rangers vision
Speaking after the departure of Ross Wilson, Rangers boss Michael Beale is clear – as per earlier comments – that the club’s summer targets have already been identified and that – presumably – work is already underway to make them Rangers players.
“In terms of recruitment and targets myself and Ross have been working closely on that,” said Michael Beale ahead of the 5-2 victory over St Mirren.
“We have an extensive recruitment team and analyst staff. The meetings have already been held. Pre-season and recruitment has been pretty much finalised and now it’s just about ticking one or two boxes on some areas.
“Maybe some players that see their futures elsewhere. The main part of the recruitment process in terms of identifying players has already happened. Now it’s about executing those deals.”
Michael Beale also paid tribute to Ross Wilson the man following the sporting director’s switch to Nottingham Forest with the Rangers boss full of praise.
Steven Gerrard’s former Ibrox assistant worked with Ross Wilson since the director first came into the club and Michael Beale claims he’s lost “an ally” inside Ibrox.
“Firstly, you are disappointed to lose a good person. Someone I have worked closely with for the past three and a half years in two spells at the club,” said Beale.
“Ross was hugely positive in his day-to-day work here at the club. He brought a lot of departments together and his job was to oversee obviously first team football operations, medical, academies and recruitment.
“He had to bring all that in line. We’ve seen good success during his time here and he was obviously influential in me coming back in.
“He is a person who I spoke most here at Rangers and was between me and the board so I feel as though I have lost a good ally.
“One thing I would say about Ross and one of his best strengths was that he never mirco managed anyone, allowing them to grow in their roles.
“In the short term there is a void in terms of Ross leaving but the heads of departments are ready to step into their roles.
“A lot of our plans for next season in terms of pre-season and our eyes on recruitment have already been done. I have been aware for the last couple of weeks.
“I’m disappointed for Rangers that Ross has moved on, but I am happy for him and his family that he feels this is a challenge he’d like to take. Having known Ross for as long as I have, I know this is not the first opportunity to come his way so if he feels this is the right thing for him we wish him well.”
