By Jonty Banks

19th May, 2023 | 10:30am

Stephen Wright frontrunner for Rangers academy director role with Ibrox talks set

Former Rangers player and Dundee head of youth Stephen Wright is the frontrunner to become the new academy director at Ibrox, according to The Courier.

Current academy director Craig Mulholland, 53, announced he would be leaving his post at Ibrox at the end of the season, with Ross Wilson keen on his services at Nottingham Forest. [Alan Nixon, 7 May]

The Courier shared that Wright is now the leading candidate to replace him and is set to hold talks with his old club.

The 51-year-old, who is a former academy coach at Rangers is a hugely respected figure in youth football, having spent spells at both Fife Elite Academy and at Dens Park.

Moving forward

Rangers have had their fair share of changes behind the scenes over the last few months, and it looks like they are now mixing it up at their academy level.

The Gers have historically had a strong academy to call upon at first-team level, but in recent years, there has been a distinct lack of players coming through the ranks.

And even when this has been the case, such as Rory Wilson last season, they have gone on to be snapped up by Premier League clubs.

Hopefully, the introduction of Wright at Ibrox can help the club turn over a new leaf and start producing a conveyor belt of talent which Michael Beale can subsequently pick from.

The swift action taken by Rangers in filling all these backroom staff positions are promising signs and highlights that a corner has been turned since the changes of Ross Wilson and Douglas Park at the top of the club.

In other Rangers news, one Gers ace will leave and likely move abroad because he isn’t getting enough game time to warrant staying.