Former Rangers coach lifts lid on his MLS adventure and the 'big sacrifice' that led to top Charlotte FC role

Last week he was in Maryland then Chicago. Soon, it will be New York and Atlanta. But it doesn’t matter where Tommy Wilson goes in the United States or how many domestic flights he climbs on.

His heart will always be in Scotland. That’s why some day – whenever it might be – he’ll return home. Not only to continue a football journey that has seen him spend the last decade Stateside. But also to reacquaint himself with a family who have given up just as much as he has for his career. Wilson left Glasgow for the USA 11 years ago.

After working as the SFA’s head of youth he led Scotland’s Under-19s to a European Championship Final and World Cup spot. Off the back of that he was hired by Rangers’ academy to work on player development. And after a stint as the Ibrox club’s reserve boss, Wilson was poached by MLS outfit Philadelphia Union in 2013. Just last month – after a decade working in Philly – he was appointed as Charlotte FC’s new technical director.

Wilson now works alongside former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith at the new MLS franchise, which boasts the likes of Scott Arfield and Liel Abada on their roster. The 62-year-old is immersed in the job. With responsibilities for first team, B team and academy, he flies all over the country.

But whether it’s at his house in Charlotte or in a Washington hotel room, Wilson’s mind often drifts back to Scotland. Before the club’s MLS victory over Chicago Fire in midweek, he told MailSport : “I didn’t expect to be out here this long.

“I left Scotland with a decent reputation and I’ve strengthened that in America. But the big sacrifice has been from my family. They’re all in Scotland now.

“Regardless of what you say or how hard you try, it’s tough on us all. They’ve sacrificed a