Jermain Defoe confirmed in Rangers coaching role as Ross Wilson announces backroom reshuffle

Ross Wilson reckons Rangers can continue to move forward on the park after undergoing a backroom reshuffle off it.

The Ibrox club confirmed a number of promotions and appointments on Friday including Jermain Defoe’s new role as first team player-coach and David McCallum stepping up from the Under 19s to replace Kevin Thomson in charge of the B team.

McCallum will be joined by Brian Gilmour while former West Ham fitness coach Eamon Swift has been appointed as rehabilitation performance coach and Adam Roberts as physio.

Sporting director Wilson said Defoe's dual role will be vital moving forward - although he first and foremost remains as a player.

He said: “Jermain right now is a player. Primarily he will do the full pre-season as if he was whole heartedly a player. Then as time goes by we will make sure he gets all the coaching exposure he wants.

“We have become really aware of just how influential he is on the first team players but also how much some of the younger players in the first team and academy look up to him.

“We know his record as a goalscorer and where he ranks in Premier League history but aside from his goals and his passion for the game he is just an all round top guy and to have his influence staying at rangers is fantastic.

“He is looking as sprightly as ever.

Jermain Defoe of Rangers celebrates scoring his teams fourth goal against Celtic (Getty Images)

”I talk about 'one club' a lot, and it is about making sure we are absolutely joined up as a club, and whatever practices we are seeing take place at first-team level, can we cascade them into our B team and into our under-18 team and make sure that we stay ahead, stay current, stay fresh and definitely stay aligned to our strategy and our plan.

"I think that is what we have got now - we have a group of people that really understand what Rangers' strategy and plan looks like, what we are working towards and it is a pleasure to be here and lead these people every day as everyone is absolutely bought into what we are trying to do."

Cameron Campbell has also taken charge of the under 18 side while Craig McPherson joins Malky Thomson as coach with the womens’ first team.