SCOUT OF TIME?

Talent chief McParland facing the axe at Ibrox

FRANK McPARLAND was last night fighting for his job as Rangers’ head of recruitment. Sportsmail understands the future of the club’s scouting chief has been raised at director level since last week’s 4-1 defeat to Hearts. Unhappy with the value for money offered by Joey Barton, the crocked duo of Niko Kranjcar and Jordan Rossiter and more recent captures including Philippe Senderos and Joe Garner, senior Ibrox figures believe a revamp of the scouting operation is essential if Rangers are to get closer to Celtic next season. Reports yesterday claimed former Liverpool recruitment chief McParland (below) is close to quitting the club over the limited transfer budget, with a number of English sides said to be interested in his services. Last night, however, a brief Rangers statement shed little light on the matter, saying: ‘Frank McParland is currently on holiday in Dubai and will return to work next week.’ Losing McParland would be a major

blow to under-fire manager Mark Warburton and assistant David Weir. Sources close to McParland say he remains committed to working alongside the management duo — following their time together at Brentford — and does not intend walk to away from Rangers. As it stands, he is expected to carry out scouting duties over the weekend having taken a break following the end of the transfer window. Speculation over McParland’s future came as Nottingham Forest quashed rumours Warburton would become their next manager by confirming caretaker Gary Brazil and assistant Jack Lester will remain in charge until the end of the season following the sacking of Philippe Montanier last month. The Ibrox boss has come under pressure after his side dropped to third in the league following a run of just one league win in five. Defeat in Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie with Morton could now represent a tipping point for the 54-year-old. However, he has received backing from ex-Inverness manager John Hughes, who insists Scottish football benefits from his presence. Hughes — who won the Cup with Inverness Caley Thistle in 2015 — says Warburton’s dedication to flowing football should be appreciated. ‘Scottish football needs Mark Warburton,’ insisted Hughes. ‘Being a coach, and being in the game and having seen things, I can tell you Mark Warburton is total football. ‘You can see his team trying to play total football. He is a football coach and that’s what Scottish football needs — football coaches. ‘It’s “football” we play, we don’t play “hoofball”. ‘When you look at the nuts and bolts of football — how you coach, how you stimulate, how you put on a game situation that relates to a Saturday, then Mark Warburton is definitely right up there. ‘We need Mark Warburtonstyle football coaches in this country. It’s the kind of thing that Brendan Rodgers also tries to play. ‘Scotland needs these coaches.’