Mark Warburton has been an instant success since coming to Ibrox. Already the air of expectancy has returned to the stands and the troubles of the last few seasons are forgotten. The transfer window has been a revelation with the club attracting not just Scottish League talent or the “Old Boys” brigade that previously left but genuine top European prospects willing to learn their trade at one of Europe’s biggest and most historic clubs, which is in no small part down to the manager.
The 52-year-old brings with him a CV that reflects life experience and an ability to deal with high pressure scenarios. Both will be required to deal with the goldfish bowl that is life at Rangers, where every decision is scrutinised, every mistake highlighted but every success given credit and every fan willing both player and manager alike to succeed. Coming from a financial background in currency dealing the Market Trader knows what it is like to make high pressure decisions on a daily basis and this has helped make him the man we see on the touch-line today.
Media both North and South of the border have made much out of the fact Warburton has not had a typical “upbringing” to his football career, which perhaps is one of the reasons he has been such a revelation during his time at Brentford and so far at Rangers. What must not be forgotten is the fact that this is a man who has only one full season of football management under his belt.
The new Rangers manager has brought with him a desire to help young professionals progress in the game. This has been a consistent vein running through his time in football, having began as the youth team coach at Watford during Brendan Rodgers time in charge and in the creation of the NextGen Series where under 19 players from Europe’s top clubs where given the chance to play competitive games against one another.
Through his first few months in charge everyone can see that Mark Warburton’s recruitment policy is driven by signing young up and coming players such as Nathan Oduwa, Dominic Ball and Gedion Zelalem. These youngsters are hoping to gain first team experience in a bid to improve their chances of eventually gaining a first team place at their parent clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal respectively.
Towards the end of Ally McCoist’s reign some there were some sections of the media and fan base that
questioned the Rangers Legend’s managerial nous when it came to tactics and substitutions during games. In Mark Warburton, Rangers have a real student of the game, having spent time at clubs all around Europe
observing the different coaching methods and attitudes in order to give him a rounded approach in his coaching style. So far the tactics employed have been on point and the Light Blues are a joy to watch, whilst the defensive frailties that dogged the club last season look to have been address with the return of Danny Wilson.
With Warburton at the helm for Rangers this season promotion is expected and judging by the start the team have made anything less would be seen as a failure. Everyone inside and outside the club can see that Rangers are once again a club to be taken seriously. The former Brentford manager has brought calmness to the club, everything is going well on the pitch and everyone at the club is pulling together. The future for the club looks set to be in the Premier League and if the progress continues it won’t be long before Warburton has the club back where they belong challenging for the major trophies.
