RANGERS can today confirm Academy Director, Craig Mulholland, has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 45 year-old has played a huge role in transforming the club’s youth set-up into a truly elite programme, which is now comparable with that of top European clubs.
He joined the Light Blues in 2003, initially as Football in the Community manager, and held various roles before becoming Head of Academy in 2015. In that time, the club have developed talents such as Nathan Patterson, Billy Gilmour, Robby McCrorie, Leon King, Alex Lowry and Adam Devine.
Speaking as he prepares to depart Rangers, Mulholland commented: “I have loved my 20 years working at the club that I had grown up with, and, in particular, the last eight leading our Academy, B Team and women’s teams. However, in all leadership positions, sometimes knowing when the right time to move on is as important as deciding which opportunities to take.
“My successor will inherit some fantastic people, working passionately to deliver on a clear strategic vision, underpinned by strong processes and modern, innovative methodology. They will also inherit some outstanding young talents which will lead to an exciting future for the club and the Academy over the next few years.
“I am immensely proud of all we have achieved, and I would like to thank John, Stewart, James and all of the current and previous board members for their fantastic support and wish Michael and his staff the very best for the future. Above all, I would like to thank each and every one of the young players who drive our motivation and energy every single day.”
The newly appointed Chief Executive, James Bisgrove, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like sincerely to thank Craig as he moves on, having transformed our Academy into one which is on a par and even exceeds many clubs in Europe’s biggest leagues.
“Craig will leave the club with a fantastic legacy, which includes the professionalisation of our women’s programme, being the leader on B Teams being introduced into senior Scottish football, creating our Boclair Academy performance school and having brought in over £15 million in Academy player sales in the last five years.
“Together with Michael Beale, John Bennett and the Board, I will now lead a thorough process to identify his replacement, as we continue a wide-ranging transformation of all areas of the football club.”