Rangers appear poised to make another addition to their backroom staff ahead of the resumption of league action.
New head coach Russell Martin has wasted little time in reshaping the structure behind the scenes since taking the reins at Ibrox earlier this summer.
Several key appointments have already been made, with assistant head coach Matt Gill, first-team coach Mike Williamson, and goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo all joining Martin in Glasgow.
These arrivals complement the existing coaching staff, including the retained Brian Gilmour.
The latest expected addition, however, is not a coaching figure, but one no less integral to the day-to-day running of the club.
Rangers are set to reappoint Jim McAlister as Head of Kit Operations, a role he previously held from January 2021 until the summer of 2023.
McAlister, a former midfielder who enjoyed spells at Blackpool, Dundee, and Greenock Morton, left the club under difficult circumstances.
Reports later emerged suggesting he had been poorly treated during his departure, culminating in an employment tribunal which ruled in his favour. The tribunal found Rangers guilty of unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
With a new board in place following the club’s recent takeover, Martin looks set to rectify what many saw as a regrettable chapter in the club's recent past by welcoming McAlister back into the fold.
McAlister's return will see him take over from Luke Murphy, an appointment made under former manager Michael Beale, who departed this summer.
Murphy, who never quite earned the popularity of his predecessor, has been temporarily replaced by assistant kitman David MacGregor, a close friend and former teammate of McAlister.
MacGregor, who has been managing kit operations in recent weeks, will now return to his supporting role under McAlister.
Inside sources at Ibrox suggest the news of McAlister’s return has been extremely well received by both players and staff, many of whom hold him in high regard for his professionalism and presence around the training ground.
It’s worth noting that McAlister initially stepped into the role in 2022 following the passing of the legendary Jimmy Bell, a man whose contributions to Rangers spanned decades.
While Bell’s legacy is impossible to replicate, McAlister was widely seen as a fitting successor and quickly earned the respect of those around him.
His imminent return will be viewed by many as both a smart and sentimental move, restoring a popular figure to a key position as the club aims to re-establish a strong and unified culture off the pitch will surely boost morale heading into the new era.