RANGERS Head of Recruitment Frank McParland admits the chance to be reunited with Mark Warburton and David Weir was too good to pass up.
The Englishman stepped down from his position at Championship side Burnley to make the switch to Ibrox earlier this month as he linked up with his former Brentford colleagues once again.
And the former Liverpool youth chief is pleased to be on board with the Light Blues as he gets set to play a key role in Warburton’s behind the scenes team.
McParland said: “What an institution this club is. I’m really delighted to be here, and when I spoke to Mark about coming here, I was really excited by it, so I want to give everything and push on.
“It was a difficult decision to leave Burnley as I had a really good relationship with the manager there, as well as the owner and the chief executive. We did some good work there in four months, signed a few good players, and I left them in joint second place in the Championship, so I think I did OK for them.
“I’m very respectful of the club, their supporters, and everyone there. I had a good time, but I felt this was a good move for me.
“[Auchenhowie] is some place, and I was really excited coming in on my first morning. I got David Weir to pick me up at 6am – although I’ll not be getting him to get me at that time every day!
“We got in and the manager was already here, and they both showed me around, and they are still excited by the place even though they’ve been here since the start of the season.
“It’s awesome, and as I said, I’m really lucky to be here. I did this with Rafa Benitez at Liverpool when we won the Champions League, and I was really pleased and proud to be involved with Liverpool at such a level.
“I’ve done some other jobs in between – Director of Football and things like that, so this is right up my street.
“I’m all about looking at players, speaking to the manager, working with the board and trying to get deals done. It’s a really, really interesting job.”
The capture of McParland was a significant coup for boss Warburton as he continues to overhaul the football department on and off the field at Murray Park.
The new Gers boss and assistant manager Weir have made an immediate impact as they have taken their side clear at the top of the Championship standings.
And McParland is confident Rangers are back on the right track as the Light Blues set their sights on a Premiership return this term.
“Mark is a top, top professional,” he told rangers.co.uk. “Him and David Weir I have known for 10 years, and I’ve had a great relationship from day one with them.
“They are two really hardworking professionals, and I’m really pleased and lucky to be here working with them.
“I’ve always followed the results because of Mark and David, and everyone here is smiling and happy, so it’s a great time to be at a club like this.
“I’m sure there are going to be some tough times, so it’s all about everyone sticking together in the football club – the supporters, staff and the players helping everyone.
“It is a blank canvas, and I am going to sit down and analyse it and get my head around everything we’ve got, and see where we can improve it.”
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