O’Neill playing down talk of Ibrox hot seat

Northern Ireland manager says he is focused on World Cup play-off

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has played down talk of him becoming the next Rangers manager.

Edinburgh-based O’Neill is one of the names linked with Ibrox but is focused on Northern Ireland’s World Cup playoff against Switzerland next month.

“It’s not a distraction for me at all,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s (speculation) constantly been there but it’s not something that I pay much attention to.

“My attention is here and trying to get my country to a World Cup finals.

“What may or may not happen after that is in the laps of the football gods, to be honest.

“It’s always nice to be linked with jobs but it’s not something I have given much thought to at all.”

Rangers director of football Mark Allen has stressed the club must take their time to find a new manager.

Meanwhile, Allen has announced a new scouting department – featuring John Brown – almost three months after beginning his role.

Rangers director Alastair Johnston last week confirmed Allen would have a hands-on role in the recruitment of a successor to the sacked Pedro Caixinha, and the former Manchester City academy director believes they must do their research.

The Ibrox club have been tipped to approach Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes but, after Caixinha’s appointment seven months ago proved a very costly mistake, Rangers cannot afford another failure.

Allen has appointed Andy Scoulding as his head of scouting. Scoulding previously worked with England, where he was described as a video technician, and moved to Valencia with Gary Neville.

Brown will head up their UK department while Dave Swanick comes in as European scout having performed the same role for Aston Villa.

Billy McLaren moves internally from an academy role to help recruit young players.

Picture: PA. Michael O’Neill has played down talk of becoming the next Rangers manager.