Rangers adopting Arsene Wenger Arsenal blueprint as Neil Banfield lifts lid on Ibrox plan for success

Neil Banfield worked under one of the best in Arsene Wenger and is now applying the Frenchman's methods at Ibrox.

The Rangers assistant boss is not only charged with taking care of Michael Beale's first team squad, but ensuring there’s adequate replacements coming through the ranks in Govan. Wenger revolutionised the North London club after his appointment in the mid 1990s and spent the next 22 years at the helm.

Banfield was there for 20 of them in various roles. Now he’s Beale’s right hand man, offering a wealth of experience to the still rookie boss as he takes on the challenge of dethroning Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. But Banfield also has an eye on the long term, and has shared his main takeaway after years under Wenger. “One thing you take away from Arsene is, you have your vision and you keep to what you’re looking to achieve,” he told Sky Sports.

“No matter what goes on, you've got your ideology of how you’re going to play the game and develop young players into the first team. If you trust the process that you're working on, which Michael’s doing at Rangers, it all leads to success.

“Without going into too much detail, at the Arsenal we had a way of developing the squads - it was groups of young players and I’ve brought that experience up to Rangers. I’m speaking with Zeb (Jacobs), the academy director and I think the club are forward looking on producing young players. That only holds the club in good stead and for me personally, I hope that I can lend something to them.

“Any strong club will always have a strong youth development programme and young players coming through. With Michael and Damien (Matthews, first team coach) having that background, it only holds well for Rangers football club.”