Rangers' director of football role would be a step-up for Southampton's shrewd operator Ross Wilson should he land the job, says Adam Leitch of the Daily Echo.

The respected head of football operations looks set to depart the English Premier League outfit with Gers closing in on the deal.

It is understood the Light Blues have already held productive talks with Wilson with a view to offering him the role Mark Allen recently left for "family reasons".

Rangers closing in on Ross Wilson as director of football

The two roles are slightly different in nature with Wilson currently having to report to technical director Les Reed.

At Rangers, though, Wilson would be the main man and have the freedom and opportunity to work further in recruitment and other off-field agenda items.

Chief Football Writer at the Echo, Adam Leitch, reckons Rangers could do worse than make ex-Huddersfield and Falkirk staffer Wilson their man.

"Ross has been important in terms of the stability he brought to Saints following the departure of Les Reed," Leitch said.

"That was a significant moment for Saints because Reed had been in control of the football side of things for a number of years.

Southampton's Ross Wilson admits rejecting Rangers directer of football job was hardest decision ever

"Ross was there to steady the ship and make sure the football side of the club was able to continue to function and operate effectively."

Wilson working in football operations hasn't kept him away from recruitment at Saints, already, in fairness.

He has been at the forefront of a good few deals at St Mary's that Southampton continue to reap the rewards from.

But not all the signings he's sanctioned have set the heather alight - even with a far greater budget to work with.

Leitch continued: "There have been some purchases which haven’t worked out, but it would be unfair to blame Ross entirely for what has gone wrong at Saints.

"Remember that although he was director of scouting and recruitment, most of his time at Saints was working under the leadership of Les Reed.

"Southampton went from buying a lot of young talent that they would seek to improve and benefit from and then be sold for hefty profits to trying to speculate much more, seemingly taking fringe players from major European clubs and hoping they would make the grade in the Premier League.

Ross Wilson impressed by Rangers' progress under Mark Allen

"Sadly, a lot of them have not.

"Guido Carrillo is the club’s record signing at more than £19m but barely played as his impact was so limited. The club have been forced to keep farming him out on loan.

"Wesley Hoedt cost £15m and has played but, like Carrillo been shipped out on loan. 

"Mario Lemina likewise at a cost of £18m. Moi Elyounoussi has gone to Celtic on loan after an unsuccessful first season following a £16m move.

"Those signings carry the biggest question marks, while are there are a few others over whom the jury is very much still out."

He added: "There is great hope for one of this summer’s signings, Moussa Djenepo, who looks to be a real find for Saints. He has pace and skill and can score goals.

"He was picked up as a young player who had proven himself at a smaller European side but was ripe for a step up and that is back to the kind of buys that Saints did best in the past.

"Nathan Redmond and Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg also joined during his time at the club and would certainly be considered as successful signings for Saints."

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Leitch believes Wilson has steadied the ship at Saints - an aspect of the job which looked difficult when he joined a few years ago.

But in terms of how well he might do alongside Steven Gerrard at Rangers, he's not entirely sure yet.

Asked what he might bring to Ibrox, Leitch responded: "I guess that really depends on what his role is and how much freedom he has to operate.

"From this distance that is very hard to evaluate."