Giovanni van Bronckhorst is set to arrive in Glasgow this morning as he prepares to oversee a Dutch takeover of Rangers along with right hand man Roy Makaay.
And Record Sport has learned that two more additions to a new look back-room team are set to be confirmed this weekend as van Bronckhorst tools up to become the Ibrox club’s new boss.
Van Bronckhorst has agreed a deal believed to be for three and a half years as Steven Gerrard ’s successor - with former Feyenoord team mate Makaay also expected to put pen to paper today.
The one time Bayern Munich talisman was still waiting for the paper work to be signed off at his home in Holland last night but could still join van Bronckhorst in the stand at Hampden for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final showdown with Hibs.
The pair will not take charge of the team until next week but, as we revealed on Tuesday, it is expected that they will run the rule over the Rangers squad for the first time before taking full control.
Van Bronckhorst is keen to have his own entourage assembled in time for his first day at the club’s Auchenhowie HQ and we understand he has already lured two further key members of staff.
Renowned physiotherapist Arno Phillips - who has worked with a string of the biggest coaches in Dutch football - is believed to be ready to follow the 46-year-old to Ibrox.
And data and performance analyst Yori Bosschart is also set to leave his current role with the United Arab Emirates to team up with van Bronckhorst and his team.
We also revealed this week that van Bronckhorst wants his former right hand man at Feyenoord, Jean-Paul Gastel, to join the revolution.
But that may have to stay on hold until January unless an agreement can be struck with Guangzhou City to release the 49-year-old from his current contract early.
A Scottish coach is also being lined up to add local knowledge to the new look set-up with the club going through a short-list of candidates.
Van Bronckhost spent last night preparing to catch a breakfast time flight to Glasgow after being officially announced as the 17th man to become Rangers boss.
But, sporting director Ross Wilson, the man who led the hunt for Gerrard’s successor, was playing it coy last night when asked when fans can expect to see van Bronckhorst back at Ibrox.
Wilson said: “I think they can expect to see him in Glasgow soon. I’m not going to put a date on that. But he will be with us very, very soon. He will be in the dugout soon.
“He won’t be in the dugout at Hampden but we expect him to be at the game. In fact, I’m sure he will be at the game. He’s excited for the game for two reasons. One, it’s the semi-final. Two, he is joining Rangers and he is excited for that.
“But three, he knows what the Rangers fans are like. He knows that they will be 100 per cent and more behind the club come the weekend in that semi-final.
“I think he’s just excited to be part of all that. He will be with us very soon. We will see him in Glasgow very soon. And he’ll be in the dugout very soon, albeit not on Sunday.”
That leaves youth coaches David McCallum and Brian Gilmour to lead the team to Hampden, assisted by veteran striker Jermain Defoe and goal-keeping coach Colin Stewart.
Wilson said: “We confirmed that structure at the beginning of the week. So we have a number of really talented staff working for us here. I’m proud of the backroom we have assembled here together.
“I have led them every day for a while now. I’ve got great pride in the work that they do. So, in terms of Sunday, we’ll have David McCallum there, we’ll have Brian Gilmour there, who have been working with our B team and doing a wonderful job.
“Jermain Defoe is with us. Colin Stewart is with us. And Craig Flannigan from our fitness side. And Dr Mark Waller from the medical side. We’ve got great people here at Rangers and those will be the key people that will be involved, supported by all of their staff come Sunday.”
After confirming the appointment of the former Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona star, Ibrox chairman Douglas Park said: “I am delighted to welcome Giovanni as our manager to begin a new era and build further on what has already been achieved at the club.
“The team is in a good position on the park and, as a board, we will support both Giovanni and Ross Wilson to continue to make Rangers a success.
“I wish Giovanni all the very best in his role and look forward to working closely alongside him.
And van Bronckhorst added: “I am absolutely delighted to be returning to Rangers as the club’s new manager.
“I feel so lucky to be going to work with a squad which is in a great position on all fronts and largely has that experience of being winners.
“I look forward to carrying on and enhancing the work that has been done already alongside Ross Wilson and the board of the club, and I’m grateful for the chance to work again at this huge football club.”
