Former Rangers great Nacho Novo has claimed that he is not being given management positions in Scotland because of his Ibrox past.
The Spaniard, who made 255 appearances for Gers in a six year spell, revealed that he has been looking for coaching opportunities but has found them hard to come by in Scotland, confirming that he had made a move to take over in the dugout at Raith Rovers.
“Yes, I’ve applied again for the Raith job,” he told the Daily Record. “To be honest that would be the perfect one for me because it’s kind of like going back to where it all started for me in Scotland. I would be happy for that.
“To be honest the problem I have in Scotland [is] that everyone sees me as a Rangers man. Well, they are right. I am a Rangers supporter. But I’m also a professional. Tell me this, what is the difference between me and Neil Lennon? Everyone knows he is a Celtic man but has it stopped him doing a fantastic job with Hibs? Has it stopped him winning games against Celtic? No.
“The only difference is I support another club. He has been given a chance and he’s proved himself, but I’m not being given the same opportunity. I just need a chance to prove people wrong.”
OPINION
It seems a slightly bizarre claim from Novo that his Rangers connection is what’s preventing him from getting jobs in management. Unless he’s been told that by a member of a club’s hierarchy, which seems unlikely, it’s probably just what he’s telling himself to explain his failure to get these jobs. It just doesn’t appear possible that there’s some sort of anti-Rangers agenda in Scotland that means he can’t get a position in management. Maybe there is, but it seems pretty far fetched on the face of it. Novo’s had a tough time this year with health concerns, and it is a shame that he hasn’t been able to get a management gig yet. But the reason can’t be that he used to be a Gers player. He had a fine career, but he doesn’t have any management experience. Surely that’s contributing more to this issue than his Ibrox past?