Fans were delighted to hear that Rangers signed Neil Banfield as a scout, taking to social media to express their excitement and surprise for a former Arsenal man who worked under Arsene Wenger. According to The Times (h/t The Sun), Banfield has joined Steven Gerrard’s backroom team to aid with identifying transfer targets.
Also silence those wannabe accountant sleuths who predict doom and gloom based on our financial results. Board continues to back, overhaul and improve all facets of the club
— Brownie (@OzRNGR) November 3, 2018
Superb addition – very strong knowledge of the markets and excellent connections in the game. Clear sign club is moving in right direction ?
— Sam Beckett (@SamBeckett6) November 3, 2018
Must be have something about him to have been at arsenal for 20 years, another exciting appointment by club.
— David Nimmo (@Nimsay1872) November 3, 2018
Another small reminder that we are still re-building the club.
— Bob K (@prophet5five) November 3, 2018
Definitely a positive move, Arsenal have had some cracking players in their youth teams so hopefully he can find us the next Fabregas
— Stuart Smith (@stuart723) November 3, 2018
Banfield, who played for Crystal Palace, Adelaide City and Leyton Orient, worked for Arsenal in a variety of roles between 1997 and 2018 – coaching the academy, reserves and first-team. The 56-year-old will now be tasked with the job of finding affordable gems to help take Rangers to the next level – not any easy task.
The Gers spent around £10m over the summer, bringing in Connor Goldson & Jamie Murphy from Brighton & Hove Albion, Borna Barisic & Eros Grezda from NK Osijek, Nikola Katic from Slaven Belupo, Kyle Lafferty from Hearts, Jon Flanagan from Liverpool, Allan McGregor from Hull City and Scott Arfield from Burnley. They also brought in five players on loan.
Gerrard’s men are currently third in the Scottish Premiership with 21 points from 11 games this season, coming off the back of three wins and a draw from their last four outings. Rangers most recently enjoyed a 2-0 win away to St Mirren and have a game in hand on leaders Hearts, of whom they’re five points behind in the table.
Stats from Transfermarkt.
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