GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Of all the significant appointments Rangers has made recently, Philippe Clement is undoubtedly the most noteworthy.
After succeeding Michael Beale earlier in the season, the Belgian has totally changed the atmosphere at Ibrox.
Under Clement, the Gers are in the latter stages of the Scottish Cup, having already won the League Cup. They are currently tied with Celtic, their bitter rivals, in the Scottish Premiership.
In the dugout, the manager is supported by a close-knit group of players, and the club has been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that the next generation of elite players continues to develop at the youth level.
Lewis Macleod, a former Gers midfielder who returned to Ibrox as an Academy coach, is the latest hire in this endeavor [official Rangers website, 25 March].
Rangers make good call as Lewis Macleod returns to Ibrox
It certainly looks to be a smart move from the Scottish giants, with the coach knowing the system and the club inside out given that he is a product of the Light Blues youth programme.
Macleod started out at Ibrox as a 10-year-old, and spent plenty of time in the first-team before spells at Brentford, Wigan and Plymouth, with an unfortunate injury forcing him to retire prematurely.
His time away from Scotland will also help him massively in his new role, with the coach certain to have learned a lot from other clubs.
The 29-year-old undoubtedly still has a lot to learn, but there is already plenty of wisdom there to pass on to his new under-14 group on the training ground.
