Former Rangers midfielder Jamie Ness has reflected on his next chapter in football after revealing he has been working as Director of Football at Strathallan School since August 2025 – with his recent LinkedIn post marking his first public comment on the role.
The ex-Ibrox prospect, best remembered by Rangers supporters for his stunning Scottish Cup goal against Celtic as a teenager, is now focused on developing the next generation of players in Perthshire.
Sharing the update online, Ness wrote: “I’m delighted to share that I am continuing my football journey in a new role as Director of Football at Strathallan School.
“The school has a stellar reputation for producing and nurturing sporting talent and I’m really excited to help build a footballing pathway for students to access elite level coaching and mentorship alongside a first-class education.
“For anyone looking for more information on what we offer at the school and the opportunities available my inbox is always open.”
Strathallan School, located just south of Perth, is a private boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 5 to 18. While traditionally known for its strong rugby programme, the school has moved to enhance its football provision by appointing Ness to lead high-performance coaching under Director of Sport Jim Thompson.
In a statement last Summer, the school said: “Strathallan School is delighted to welcome former professional footballer Jamie Ness, who will begin delivering high-performance football coaching sessions on campus from August 2025.
“With over 200 appearances at the top levels of the game across a 13-year career, Jamie brings a wealth of experience to Strathallan.”
Ness’s football journey began at the Rangers academy and progressed to the first-team under legendary manager Walter Smith, where he broke into the first team as a highly rated teenager.
He played his part in a league and cup double during his debut season, and his spectacular long-range strike against Celtic in the Scottish Cup earned him Rangers Goal of the Season award.
In 2012, Ness left Ibrox to join English Premier League side Stoke City, but he never made a senior appearance for the Potters. Instead, he gained experience through loan spells at Leyton Orient and Crewe Alexandra, continuing his development in the English Football League.
Returning to Scotland, Ness went on to represent Scunthorpe United, Plymouth Argyle, Dundee and Forfar Athletic, building a solid career across both England and Scotland. However, persistent injury problems eventually forced him to retire at the age of 31, bringing his playing days to an early end.
Since hanging up his boots, Ness has remained committed to football development. Now an SFA-qualified coach, he launched his own coaching academy in 2023, focusing on mentoring young players and passing on the technical, tactical and mental lessons gained throughout his career.
At Strathallan, Ness offers one-to-one and small group football sessions tailored to individual positions and goals. The programme is open to senior pupils of all abilities, while he also supports the wider football pathway within the school.
Strathallan already has a connection to Rangers, with former Ibrox forward Nathan Young-Coombes among its alumni.
Ness’s presence further strengthens the school’s ambition to produce elite-level footballers alongside academic excellence.
For Rangers fans, Ness remains a memorable figure – a fearless academy graduate who once delivered on the biggest stage against Celtic. While his playing career may have ended earlier than planned, his influence on young footballers is only just beginning.