Craig Moore has confirmed he would be ‘interested’ in returning to Ibrox as the club’s sporting director.
The former Rangers skipper’s name has been linked with the vacant position since beleaguered sporting director Ross Wilson quit the post for a similar role at Nottingham Forest. Speaking in the latest episode of our Off the Record podcast Moore reveals how he narrowly missed out on a senior recruitment position at Hearts three years ago after two interviews with owner Ann Budge.
The talent finder who held down the same key role at Brisbane Roar admits he’s keeping a close eye on developments at his old club as new chairman John Bennett oversees a huge restructuring project on and off the pitch. And he has revealed he has been holding ongoing conversations with newly appointed chief executive James Bisgrove. Moore - who is currently operating as a player adviser - said: “Being an agent or a director of football is very similar. You’re looking at players, recruiting players, growing your network, negotiate.
"The role that I did in Australia was dealing with salary caps and budgets, I set up a medical department, built and started up the academy. We qualified for the Asian Champions League, we sold younger players - all the things you are expected to do as a director of football. I guess, what are Rangers going to do in that space is very, very interesting because clearly there’s a big restructure going on. And that’s going to happen on and off the field. So I’ve certainly been following what’s happening there because it’s an area where I am kind of interested. It’s an area I have worked in before.”
Asked if he had spoken to Rangers top brass about a possible return he said: “Not at this moment in time. Obviously James Bisgrove is the new CEO, we’ve had communication but not about any particular roles as such. I haven’t spoken to John Bennett, the new chairman, so to answer your question, have I spoken to anyone in an influential position that is maybe making decisions at the football club? No.”
And he believes Ange Postecoglou’s stunning success across the Glasgow divide proves that the Australian blue-print can be rolled out on the other side of the planet. Moore said: “Just because we’re from Australia doesn’t mean we don’t know what’s happening in football. I’ve got a really good network and that’s one thing I’ve always taken huge pride in. If Rangers, for example, wanted to look in Asia then I’ve got my man in Asia. Kevin Muscat is doing exactly what Ange was doing there previously. He won the title last year and is in a good position again this season.
So, again, I’ve got eyes and ears in many different countries and it’s about bringing the right players to turn things around. Rangers have got a big job to do in terms of squad building - they don’t only need good players they need strong characters, winners to get back to winning ways. That’s the challenge for everybody at the football club.”
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