“It will certainly be a challenge for him”: Johnstone delivers verdict on Rangers new arrival
By Matt Farr
Rangers legend Derek Johnstone has backed new arrival Mark Allen to rise to the challenge in his new challenge at Ibrox.
The Scottish club confirmed on their official website and Twitter account on Tuesday the 54-year-old chief had quit his role as academy director at Premier League giants Manchester City to join the senior ranks at Rangers.
Allen had served as academy director at the Etihad for seven years, drawing widespread acclaim for his overhaul of the youth setup at the club, and Rangers hope he can have a similar impact in Scotland.
But Johnstone insists Allen must rise to the challenge given the stark contrast in the resources available to him between his previous, and current employers.
He wrote in his column for the Evening Times: “The job as Director of Football for Rangers is a change from being Head of Academy at the Etihad but I am sure it is one that Mark will relish.
“It will certainly be a challenge for him because the resources he will be working with are completely different. City have all the money in the world, but Rangers don’t.
“At City, whether it is at youth level or first-team level, you can attract the best players and you can invest in your side any time you want. It is different for Rangers.”
Allen had moved to Manchester City in 2008 following the arrival of mega-rich owner Sheikh Mansour, and oversaw the £200million development of the Etihad campus.
He also held a key role in the emergence of several of the club’s star youngsters, including current first-teamer Kelechi Iheanacho, and holds a full UEFA coaching license.
Rangers had begun the search for a director of football immediately after the departure of manager Mark Warburton in February, with Ibrox chiefs electing to take the opportunity to revamp the senior setup.
A host of names, including Premier League chief Ross Wilson, were shortlisted and later interviewed by Rangers, but their prolonged search concluded last week with the appointment of City’s Allen.
In other Rangers news, Celtic star Leigh Griffiths has hit back at comments made by Rangers chief Dave King.
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