THESE days switching from one side of the Old Firm to the other is not considered the heinous crime it was in the days of Alfie Conn or Mo Johnston.

However, the capture of Kenny McDowall from Celtic was a surprise. Kenny had been in the Youth Department for 10 years and was reserve team manager when Walter Smith approached him to join Rangers.

McDowall, a Rangers fan as boy, had no hestitation in crossing the city to take up a top team post, feeling it was definitely the right time to make the step up.

He is highly rated in coaching circles and had previously turned down top team posts waiting for the right one to come along.