FORMER St Mirren assistant manager Mark Spalding has joined Rangers' revamp.

Spalding will take over as Head of Intermediate Academy at the Hummel Training Centre, working with age groups between the under-13s up to the under-16s, aimed at helping youngsters make it to the first-team.

"I'm really, really excited," Spalding said, speaking to our sister title The Glasgow Times from America. "Every facet of the club is exciting and what Rangers are doing is incredible right now. We've seen young Nathan Patterson and Kai Kennedy make their debuts recently so it looks like a case of if you're good enough, you're old enough.

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"There's a clear pathway to where the young players want and need to go. I want to help young kids develop on and off the field and become better people as well as players. It's a day to day thing for me on the training pitch, I'll have a hands-on approach and be part of something bigger."

The coach has been working as Technical Director at Global Premier Soccer academy in America since leaving St Mirren. The 34-year-old previously held a post alongside Wilson at Falkirk before moving on to join former Rangers midfielder Ian Murray's backroom staff at Dumbarton and then Saints.

Spalding will leave one huge job for another. Currently in charge of 26 states in the USA for Global Premier Soccer, he is also hands-on with three provinces in Canada and three European countries. Still, though, Spalding is certain Rangers is a step-up and relishes the challenge.

The Gazette: Ross Wilson (left) Ross Wilson (left)

Working with old pal Ross Wilson again was another factor that piqued the former Falkirk coach's interest. During the pair's time together at Bairns, the likes of Stephen Kingsley [Hull City], Jay Fulton [Swansea] and Craig Sibbald [Livingston] all progressed through the ranks. 

He knows what he's getting. "Ross's influence on Falkirk's youth academy is respectable," he said. "What he did was incredible, actually. Without his guidance then I don't think I'd have had the career I've had to date.

"Everywhere he's been he's been successful. And when Rangers come calling it's really not something you can say no to."

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