EDIBURGH EVENIG NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN

FORMER Edinburgh Rugby boss Ian Rankin has sent a "come and get me" message to the team's new owners.

And, according to well-placed sources within Capital rugby circles, that is exactly what franchisees Bob and Alex Carruthers intend to do well before the Celtic League season gets underway at the beginning of September.

For the moment, Rankin is circumspect, saying only: "It's no secret I would love to get involved again.

"Obviously there are changes all round at the moment, I'd be highly honoured to get any call."

But what is certain is that there is a huge amount to be done in terms of getting the franchise established under new management which will not now include Adrian Kennedy after a statement from bosses that the Kiwi, following discussions, will not now be taking up a post.

In such circumstances it is hard to think of anyone better equipped in terms of knowing the ropes than Fife farmer Rankin.

That is even more the case since he has kept involved following his departure from Murrayfield three years ago by coaching Dundee High FPs back into the First Division for next season.

In the next few weeks, there will be training arrangements and pre-season friendlies to organise and season tickets to promote while cultivating player relations and other duties.

According to former Gunners captain Graeme Burns, the international scrum half who has retired to coach Haddington next season, Rankin ticks all the boxes - and might well have enhanced his value with time out from the professional scene.

Burns insists that, if Edinburgh do go for Rankin, they would be well rewarded. "Ian knows the club and the club knows him," said Burns.

"Particularly at a time when Gunners backroom have lost Frank Hadden, Todd Blackadder, Carl Hogg (to Gloucester) and also Henry Edwards (SRU performance director) with fitness coach Ken Macewen seemingly working more and more at an even higher level, continuity, as provided by a Rankin return, could be pay dividends.

"Frank Hadden and Ian go back a long way so there would be a direct link between the Edinburgh and Scotland squads.

"Additionally, regardless of the role Ian might play he could, having helped to bring through much of the current talent, advise on just what style suits Edinburgh best so that there is less need first to go back in order for the club to advance as any total newcomer plays his way in.

"I hear a lot of talk about how fast-moving the game has become to the extent that it is hard to keep up to date if you drop out of the pro scene. But I believe being in that situation could work to Ian's advantage in having had a wee break to recharge his batteries especially having remained involved through working for Dundee High FPs.

"That is especially the case since Edinburgh are no different from all the top pro sides in that, generally, the coach sets out his ideas then the senior players ensure they are put into effect.

"However, for that to work there needs to be mutual co-operations and Ian is the type of guy through past associations and experience who can put that into effect."

This article was posted on 14-Jul-2006, 12:40 by Hugh Barrow.