Image emerges from USA as Rangers talks break down for new appointment
An image has emerged of new Tampa Bay Rowdies boss Robbie Neilson in the USA, after he held talks with Philippe Clement about becoming the assistant manager at Rangers, according to Mark Donaldson.
The ESPN commentator claimed on 9 November that Neilson decided to take the job at the helm of the Florida club rather than become Clement’s number two at Ibrox.
Stephan van der Heyden was subsequently hired by Rangers and has taken his place as Clement’s assistant manager when the Belgian arrived following the departure of Michael Beale.
A new experience
The Daily Record report on this story has claimed that Neilson decided to move to the U.S.A. for a new experience, having already worked in Scotland as manager of Hearts, despite the offer of a job at Rangers providing a big opportunity.
Neilson was sacked by Hearts earlier this year after poor results saw them lose their strong foothold in the race for third place, despite having ultimately earned them a Europea Conference League group stage place.
During his time at Hearts, the manager guided them out of the Scottish Championship and back into their competitive position in the SPFL, but his move to America will allow him another shot at attempting to progress a side that he claims are set up to be successful.
A move to Rangers would have presented Neilson with the opportunity to return to the club where he spent his youth football career, but ultimately the opportunity to take the top job in a new country proved more appealing than the offer of an assistant role.
In other Rangers news, one Gers sensation may be set for a full debut.