Rangers boss Mark Warburton eyes further arrivals after appointment of Frank McParland at Ibrox

But his latest addition – one who will never score a winning goal or have his name chanted by the Light Blue legions – could prove to be his most important yet for Rangers.

The appointment of Frank McParland as Head of Recruitment is another piece in the Warburton jigsaw as he continues to rebuild the Gers’ football department on and off the park.

The 56-year-old arrives from Burnley, where he was Sporting Director, with an impressive CV – he was chief scout and Director of Academy and Player Development at Liverpool and Director of Football at Watford and Brentford – and the backing of Warburton and assistant David Weir.

Picture: Brentford FC

The influence of McParland will be crucial to Rangers going forward as they look to modernise their approach and continue their recovery.

In an exclusive interview with SportTimes in July, he spoke positively about Warburton and Weir and the impact they would have at Ibrox.

And now he has chosen to leave Turf Moor to play his own part in the process and work under his former Bees boss once again.

“Frank has joined us as Head of Recruitment which is a really important hire for us,” Warburton said.

“Frank’s qualities are undoubted given the level he has worked at, Champions League level.

“David and I know him very well. He is one of the very best in the business. His qualities means that we are excited he’s joining us.

“He knows how David and I work, we know how he works, he knows the type of players we are looking for, the attributes we look for, the character of the players we want on and off the pitch.

“If I am looking for an eight, a ten a two or a four, he knows. He has a network of contacts. Frank is a doer.

Mark Warburton and David Weir

“He gets the players, is well respected and worked at the highest level. So to get Frank is a coup.

“It’s a big appointment for us. We have got another two appointments coming shortly. We are making progress in key areas.”

With McParland now on board, and more new faces to come, staffing levels at Murray Park and Ibrox are crucially on the rise after a series of cutbacks in recent years.

The lack of a scouting department was first raised by Ally McCoist and has been a key issue that has needed to be addressed for some time.

In finding reinforcements, Warburton took a similar approach to that he used during the summer as he brought in a plethora of players, all of whom have impressed so far. His patience has paid off.

Warburton said: “It’s about getting the right person. You can rush in after a couple of weeks and get the wrong person.

“But, as with a player, you’d rather be patient and end up with the right person.

“David and I knew always knew that he was the right person. Again, though, we have to look at availability and speak to the board and owner.

“Not to sell him to them, but to put over why this man will be good for Rangers and is worth waiting for. As I say, in my mind he is one of the very best out there.

“You live and die by recruitment. Staff members and players, of course. He will be a very important part of the overall project, no doubt about that.

“Myself, David and Jim Stewart are always looking at players. You can’t change that.

“But we can’t concentrate on that area. When you move up levels, it demands focus and attention. That is what Frank does.”

McParland’s move to Ibrox sees him reunited with the men whom he formed a bond with during their time at Griffin Park and whose departure from Brentford has been felt just as much as those of Warburton and Weir.

The boyhood Liverpool fan stepped down from his position with Burnley, where he worked closely with boss Sean Dyche as the Clarets set their sights on an immediate return to the Premier League.

And Warburton is pleased he has been able to bring his friend and a professional he rates highly to Ibrox.

“He did [take persuading], because he is at a good club,” he said.

“I know Sean Dyche and Ian Woan very well. Burnley are a really good club and Frank has done some tremendous work for them.

Mark Warburton and David Weir

“I’m sure Frank will say the same. Burnley are in a good place and I’m sure they are heading back towards the Premier League.

“It was a big call. But Frank and I have worked together for eight or nine years. He knows what I want and I have sold the Rangers project to him. He is excited by it.

“In my mind he is one of the best in the business, absolutely. Rangers will always try and get the best.”