Rangers ‘set to confirm identity of new academy chief' as sporting director Kevin Thelwell poised to make big call

It's been pinpointed as one of the club's most important appointments
NEXT MAN UP Rangers 'set to confirm identity of new academy chief' as sporting director Kevin Thelwell poised to make big call
RANGERS are poised to announce the identity of their new youth academy chief, according to a report.
It had been reported that sporting director Kevin Thelwell would make Everton pal Gareth Prosser one of his first appointments in what is a key role at the club.
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David McCallum in action
Credit: Willie Vass
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Rangers Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell
Credit: Willie Vass
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David McCallum coaching Rangers B
Credit: Willie Vass
But now the Daily Record are claiming that Prosser has options in the Middle East and that acting academy chief David McCallum will get the nod instead.
McCallum served as caretaker manager for the club back in November 2021, leading the team to a Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat against Hibs between the spells of Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The head of academy position at Auchenhowie has been vacant since Zeb Jacobs left for Feyenoord last year.
The club's new US investors are desperate to get a better return from their expensively assembled academy products.
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McCallum stepped up from his previous role on an acting basis from head of professional phase and B team coach and now it's believed that new sporting director Thelwell has been impressed.
Meanwhile SunSport understands defender John Souttar underwent surgery in London last week to solve a minor hernia issue ahead of the first leg at Ibrox next month.
Contrary to reports, though, the Light Blues centre-back IS expected to return in time for the big kick-off in five weeks' time.
It's understood the operation was already pre-planned and was always scheduled to take place after the international double-header against Iceland and Liechtenstein.
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Souttar played the full 90 minutes in the woeful 3-1 Hampden defeat to Iceland and was an unused sub in Vaduz.
The Rangers squad will being returning to the club's Auchenhowie HQ on Monday to start pre-season training under their new boss Martin.
Rangers captain James Tavernier spotted training with ex-team-mate and old Premiership rival Ryan Porteous who branded him 'bad loser'
Gers were yesterday paired with Panathinaikos in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
The first leg at Ibrox will be played on either July 22 or 23 with Gers travelling to Greece for the second leg the following week.
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