Rangers close to appointing Everton's Thelwell

Rangers are close to appointing Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell as their new sporting director.

The 51-year-old Englishman has already confirmed he is leaving the Premier League side this summer.

And after Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart announced a root and branch review of all club operations earlier this season, Thelwell has been identified by the Scottish Premiership club to help implement some of the changes.

Thelwell has been with Everton for three years after leaving his role as the New York Red Bulls' head of sport and is also is a former director of football with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He has also worked with the former Motherwell manager Billy Davies at Preston North End and Derby County.

Thelwell's imminent appointment is likely to be the first of a number of big changes at Ibrox, with American businessman Andrew Cavenagh and San Francisco 49ers Enterprises moving closer to finalising a takeover.