Rangers have boosted the club’s transfer and recruitment personnel with the addition of a scout who has a long association with Arsenal.
The Times report that former Gunners coach Neil Banfield, who spent over 20 years working under Arsene Wenger, has joined the scouting department at the Ibrox side.
The 56-year-old left the Emirates in the wake of Wenger’s emotional exit from the North London outfit.
The appointment comes as club director Stewart Robertson insists that Steven Gerrard’s recruitment budget hasn’t been altered in the wake of poor financial results last week.
The club announced a loss of £14m for the year, sparking speculation that the Steven Gerrard project could be financially hampered by the figures disclosed in the annual report.
Robertson though refuted that, telling Rangers TV: “These figures were known prior to Steven coming in. It’s not had any impact on the funds that are available to Steven to spend. The fundamental message is that the board and investors are still backing the club and investing in both the football side and non-football side of the club.”
The appointment of a person with Banfield’s expertise and experience would appear to back that commitment up. It’s clear that plans are ongoing to improve the playing squad in the next transfer window and others to come.