Rangers trigger major player recruitment overhaul as scouting cull afoot to ensure data drives the way

Rangers have kicked off a complete overhaul of their scouting and player recruitment departments.

The move will see the Ibrox side cull swathes of their scouting department as they move towards a more video and data-led operation. Club sources insist it is about bringing the club into line with other top European clubs on these particular fronts.

They also deny it has anything to do with recent results or a bid to cut costs but in the long-term the proposed changes could make that side of the business stronger and bring savings in the long run. It will see Rangers move away from the more traditional move of mainly having scouts on the ground to a process being led by video and data analysis that could then be followed up by sending staff out to watch players in person.

Rangers boss Michael Beale has made a big thing about not signing players unless he has seen them in the flesh. The moves will see the majority of Rangers overseas and part-time scouts go as part of the major revamp. Rangers also have seven full-time scouts and it is understood the plan is those will be cut to just three newly-defined roles under chief scout John Park.

That means that all the staff who want to remain will need to re-apply for one of the new positions, although there will be departures. Rangers included the likes of John Brown, Billy McLaren and Billy Kirkwood among their scouting team. A lot of the remaining scouting staff are already going through a consultation period with the club.

Rangers have not replaced sporting director Ross Wilson who left for Nottingham Forest last season. Manager Beale took over the majority of his summer recruitment himself and was aided by Park.

The summer rebuild saw him spend around £13million to bring in