Glasgow Rangers confirm Caixinha as new boss

Glasgow (AFP) – Scottish giants Rangers confirmed the appointment of Pedro Caixinha as their new manager on Saturday.

Caixinha arrived at Glasgow Airport on a flight from Dubai at midday on Saturday and his move to Ibrox was officially announced just hours later.

The 46-year-old Portuguese coach has agreed a three-year contract and will be tasked with ending Celtic’s long reign as Scotland’s preeminent force.

Rangers agreed a deal with Al Gharafa on Thursday for the release of Caixinha, who moved to Qatar in 2015 after a successful spell with Santos Laguna, a Mexican club with close links to Celtic.

The former goalkeeper managed Uniao de Leiria and Nacional in his homeland after spells on the coaching staff at the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest and Saudi Arabia.

Graeme Murty will remain in the dugout for Rangers’ derby with bitter rivals Celtic on Sunday, but Caixinha will watch from the stands and take his first training session on Monday.

Rangers are currently third in the Scottish Premiership table and trail leaders Celtic by 33 points.

“It is a great honour to join Rangers Football Club. This club has a great history and tradition and I am proud to follow in the footsteps of legendary Rangers managers like Walter Smith, Graeme Souness and Jock Wallace,” Caixinha told the club’s website.

“Rangers is a name that is known worldwide and I am looking forward to forging a positive relationship with supporters and meeting the playing squad and staff at the club.

“I know there is a lot of hard work ahead and I assure all our fans that I will do all I can to provide a winning and entertaining Rangers team.”