George Overhill

Wed 8 November 2023 16:40, UK

New head of academy football at Rangers Zurab Amirian has announced how “honoured and humbled” he is to join the club.

The 31-year-old took to his personal Twitter on 8 November to call the Gers an “unbelievable and historical club” after the announcement confirming his expected start on 1 January 2024 the day before.

Belgian Amirian comes in from OH Leuven and is set to work under academy director Zeb Jacobs subject to receiving a work permit.

Amirian wrote: “I’m honoured and humbled to embark on a new chapter as the Head of Academy Football at Rangers Football Club. Joining this unbelievable and historical club fills my heart with pride.

“Together, we will create the most exciting learning environment in sports.”

Big step

It is a notable role at a club the size of Rangers for a coach of his age and continues the extensive overhaul of the structure at Ibrox in recent months.

He joints compatriot Philippe Clement in Glasgow and will be looking to help create more of a pathway of talent from the Light Blues academy to the senior side.

James Bisgrove confirmed on the same day that Amirian’s deal was announced that talks are to be held at the end of the week towards completing the appointment of a new sporting director in addition.

It appears the long-standing overhaul of the hierarchy at the club is nearing an end to the process and fans will be desperately hoping that it translates into success on the pitch.

More talent coming into the senior side from the academy would be a major boost to Clement and would help the club move away from having to spend heavily in an attempt to strengthen the side, with uneven results.

But, while there are some options currently including the likes of Zak Lovelace, Ross McCausland and on-loan Alex Lowry it is likely that the real benefits would be expected over the longer-term.

In other Rangers news, Tom English used a Light Blues question as he doubted the ambition at Celtic after their 6-0 defeat.