Gordon takes upstairs Gers role

18 June 2011 08:18
Rangers have appointed former Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith as their new director of football.[LNB] Smith, who served the governing body from 2007 to 2010 before resigning for personal reasons, won the treble with Rangers in 1977/78.[LNB]He spent three years at the Ibrox before leaving to join Brighton.[LNB]Smith, 56, will work alongside manager Ally McCoist in his first season as manager and will involved in the club's transfer policy as well as overseeing scouting and the Academy.[LNB]Additionally, owner Craig Whyte has appointed former QPR commercial director and deputy managing director Ali Russell as director of operations and commercial activity.[LNB]Speaking to the club's official website about the pair's arrival, Whyte said: "I'm delighted that Gordon and Ali are with us and I think they will be key appointments for us.[LNB]"Gordon has a wealth of experience in football administration from his role with the SFA and his contacts in UEFA.[LNB]"He has a great Rangers background having been a key player in the 1970s for the club and I'm sure the fans will be delighted with his appointment.[LNB]"Gordon will be running things at Murray Park but he also has a good knowledge on the commercial side which is a great benefit.[LNB]"He will be working with the scouting set-up and also on transfers. Ali did a great job at QPR and he will be working with the management team we have at Ibrox.[LNB]"Due to my many business commitments I am unable to work at Rangers every day so Ali will be carrying out that aspect of things."[LNB]Smith's tenure at the SFA was a turbulent one, with the appointment of two managers - Craig Burley and Craig Levein - and the infamous 2009 disciplinary incident involving Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson, who has not played for his country since.

Source: Team_Talk