Former Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson has opened up on his move from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle, insisting it was a "no-brainer."
Around two-and-a-half years after leaving Ibrox for the City Ground, Wilson has now taken up a position as sporting director at the Premier League giants at St James' Park.
Despite receiving flak for his transfer record when at Rangers, he has performed the role well at Forest at and Newcastle quickly identified him as a target when it became clear they would need a replacement for Paul Mitchell.
It was a move Wilson was very keen on but he took his time to be certain he was making the right decision, as he was content Forest.
“It was a job I really wanted to do but I didn’t say yes immediately because of my happiness in Nottingham,” he told The Athletic. “I definitely had to take a bit of time to make sure I was making the right decision.
“Because I’ve been happy in every job, a fortunate place to be in life, where I got to with Nottingham meant there wasn’t many things I would have left for, or had a reason to leave for. I was so connected to the ownership, players, fans, the city. But there are a few clubs that make you feel this is a no-brainer.”
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Because of his good relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, the process of leaving became easier. Although the Greek businessman did his best to persuade him to stay.
“Thankfully, I never had to give him (Marinakis) a resignation letter,” Wilson added. “I had a relationship which meant I could just speak to him.
“He asked me to stay but understood and worked with me on it. I trusted him to find the right solution with Newcastle. Actually, I was very proud to be left in post rather than be put on gardening leave.”
Wilson signed former Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson for Forest, and the talented 23-year-old is now back on their radar, along with a host of other clubs.
“Everyone knows what he can do now,” Wilson said of the England international. “If you were to say a year ago that Elliot would be one of the best in the Premier League, a starter for England and can go wherever he likes in his career, some would have said yes. The others? They wouldn’t have understood his level.
“Everyone at Newcastle and Forest knows the quality of the boy. He is an outstanding boy and a top human being.”
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