Maurice wants to come home after being denied potential Celtic clash
He has spent six years managing abroad.
Now Maurice Ross wants to prove his dugout credentials back home.
The 37-year-old cut his coaching teeth with successful spells in Norway and the Faroe Islands, where title-winners Vikingur were his most-recent charges.
The former Rangers star led his side to Faroese Super Cup glory during the current season, and to within three points of another European place with games still to play.
But, with a Champions League qualifier just weeks away – and Celtic as potential opponents for Vikingur when the draw is made in Nyon on Tuesday – he was brutally cast adrift.
After just a couple of defeats, Ross was shown the door, his first taste of the cut-throat nature of management.
Yet the ambitious Dundonian is more determined than ever to add to the three trophies he has already claimed as a gaffer – and to do it in Scotland.
He said: “I was really surprised when I was pulled in by Vikingur to be told of their decision because I’d signed a two-year deal in November.
“But I came away feeling relaxed about it as I know I couldn’t have done any more.
“We were a win away from the European places, which was our target, with months of the season still to go – and that was after losing six players in the close season and replacing them with two. “I believe we were on course. “But I’m looking at this situation as an opportunity now, because, after six years as a manager, I’m more than ready for an opportunity in Scotland.
“I’ve instructed my agent Raymond Sparkes to bring me home, and I’m looking forward to being back.”
If Ross can replicate the success he enjoyed as a player as a manager, he’ll be doing alright.
He picked up every domestic honour in his time with Rangers, played in the Champions League and also earned 13 Scotland caps.
Ross won back-to-back promotions with Norwegian minnows Sola FK in his first managerial job, before leading them to a club record fifth place finish in the Second Division.
He was then snapped up by Egersunds, whom he led to third place, before moving to the Faroes.
After a successful first season with TB/
FCS/Royn, Vikingur came calling.
Now, after building a reputation in Scandinavia, Ross is determined to do the same in his home country.
“I believe the time is right for me,” he said. “It’s just a question of getting an opportunity to show what I can do.
“I’m only 37, but I’ve got years of experience and thousands of hours on the training ground behind me.
“I’m used to working with young players, I’m used to working under tight budgets and I’m used to getting results.
“So I believe I’ve got the kind of traits clubs in Scotland are looking for.
“The difficulty may be that the experience I’ve gained has come outside of this country, which means it tends to go under the radar.
“But I’m a solid option for any chairman looking for a young, forward-thinking coach, who has six years’ experience.
“If players just coming to the end of their careers can be an option for clubs with no managerial experience, I should be, too.”
Steven Gerrard’s lack of hours in the experience has been raised by those sceptical of his appointment as Gers boss.
But Ross knows what it means to live inside the Old Firm pressure cooker – and he believes Gerrard’s pedigree gives him a fighting chance of succeeding with the Ibrox side.
“The intensity shouldn’t be an issue,” he said. “No matter how experienced you are, Glasgow – and the Old Firm – will test you.
“But you can’t argue with his footballing background.
“He has earned the right to be given a chance, so it’s good luck to the guy as far as I’m concerned.
“And every Rangers fan should stand up and back him.”