Former Rangers Head of Recruitment Frank McParland has been lined up to play a leading role to kickstart the Saudi-led revolution at Newcastle United.
That is the report this morning from the i paper in a somewhat surprising link to a face from the past at Ibrox.
Predictably, there has been talk of Steven Gerrard to be a contender for the manager job if as expected, the new regime parts ways with the incumbent, Steve Bruce.
Several bookies have the Rangers gaffer mongst the top candidates, but that speculation is always going to happen.
So McParland, remember him? The man once described by Mark Warburton as the best in the business.
The truth is that he arrived at Ibrox with a big reputation but flattered to deceive.
Yes, there was talk of frustration from McParland over a limited budget to work with, but at that time the parameters would have been well established.
In a sign of how far the club has travelled since then, take a look at the names recruited under the management of Warburton and the scouting chief:
Josh Windass, Matt Crooks, Harry Forrester, Maciej Gostomski, Billy King, Michael O’Halloran
Jordan Rossiter, Joey Barton, Clint Hill, Niko Kranjcar, Matt Gilks, Lee Hodson, Joe Dodoo, Joe Garner,
Philippe Senderos, David Bates, Jak Alnwick, Jon Toral, Emerson Hyndman
19 players in total and not one prospered or propelled the careers after Rangers, with a few in their twilight years.
Very much a transitional period at Ibrox as reflected in transfer dealings, but as for the here and now and reported pastured new for McParland, the i stated:
“McParland is a vastly experienced recruitment specialist who has previously worked at Liverpool, Watford, Brentford, Burnley and Rangers, before more recently acting as an independent football consultant. McParland has a close relationship with Rafael Benitez, who is a fan favourite at St James’ Park.”
“At Watford and Brentford he worked as director of football and he spent six years as Burnley’s sporting director. While Newcastle intend to appoint a director of football, it is not yet known whether McParland will stay at the club in the long-term.”
Many Rangers supporters will raise at eyebrow at this development with a sceptical eye.