FORMER Rangers attacker Jonatan Johansson has been named as the new manager of Greenock Morton.

The Finn, who has previously been on the coaching staff at Ibrox and with Motherwell as well as taking charge of the reserves at Morton, will take on his first role as a senior manager at Cappielow after the controversial exit of Ray McKinnon to Falkirk last Friday.

The 40-year-old has penned a two-year deal at the Championship club six years after kicking off his coaching career with Morton back in 2012 under David Hopkin after a successful career with clubs such as Rangers, Charlton Athletic and Malmo.

He also had a spell working with the Finnish national side as assistant manager, and was most recently part of Pedro Caixinha’s backroom staff during his ill-fated reign as Rangers manager.

A statement on the club website explained what drew Morton to appoint Johansson.

“Through our previous working relationship with Skelmorlie-based Johansson, we saw potential as a first-team manager and identified him as our primary target to fill the role,” it read.

“Jonatan is a real student of the game and, as well as impressing with his knowledge and ideas during discussions, his aims and ambitions were in line with our own. This was vital.

“The board of directors recognise that we have a fantastic changing room comprised of a talented group of players and we wanted to ensure that there was a synergy between them and the new manager.

“We firmly believe that Jonatan’s structured mindset, hunger to succeed, and personable manner will be an ideal fit with our current squad and are thrilled to welcome him to the club.”

Chairman Crawford Rae was over the moon to have landed a coach that he rates so highly, and he is convinced that Johansson can lead the club to a bright future after the shock of losing McKinnon, who was only appointed in the summer.

“We are absolutely delighted to announce Jonatan Johansson as the new manager of Greenock Morton Football Club,” he said.

“Jonatan has a fantastic CV, both playing and coaching, and has been eager for an opportunity to get into management. We are thrilled about our appointment and we look forward to sharing this new chapter together.

“JJ has a fantastic work ethic, a great football brain, and I cannot wait to see him in action as we rekindle Greenock Morton’s long-standing Nordic association of over 50 years.”