5 Rangers sporting director candidates as Philippe Clement title builder and 'canny' operator offer compelling cases

It's taken a while, but Rangers are edging closer to securing their next new sporting director

The club released it's annual report ahead of next month's AGM, in which chairman John Bennett stressed the importance of player trading: “Player trading will always be inherently volatile, yet Rangers must replace sporadic 'wins' with systematic success," he said. "It is a given that it all begins with player recruitment. This is an area of priority for your board, and we anticipate that the coming months will see a strengthening in the leadership and processes of our football department, specifically with this in mind.”

Essentially, business speak for a new DOF is top of the list and could be here soon. It could happen with a fortnight, but given it's been over six months since previous incumbent Ross Wilson left for Nottingham Forest, it has proven a methodical process. It's already overdue after Michael Beale's summer rebuild crumbled in front of him, the Londoner being sacked despite spending big on new faces to try and reel in Celtic. But who are the potential candidates to work alongside successor Philippe Clement on transfers?

Record Sport takes a look at who could be in the frame.

The former Scotland international and current Crystal Palace sporting director has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Given the situation at Old Trafford and the uncertainty surrounding the Glazers, that could be one that he thinks twice about. Of course, that's not to say he'd prefer a move to Glasgow, but former Palace owner Simon Jordan spoke very highly of the Scot's abilities.

He told talkSPORT: "Dougie is a very bright fella and produced a wonderful football team for Palace that got them promoted in 2013. He fell out with