Head coach Mike Williamson believes the “insight, drive” and talent-spotting skills of new sporting director Rob Clarkson will benefit Carlisle United.

Former Rangers, Manchester City and Football Association man Clarkson will start work at Carlisle next week after his appointment was confirmed.

His arrival comes as part of an off-field overhaul under United’s owners, the Piatak family.

Williamson was part of the interview process for sporting director candidates and admits he was impressed both with Clarkson’s background and his ambition and drive.

“I've spoken to him in terms of when he was interviewing, and straight away you can see his background, the standard of club he's worked at, the people he's worked with,” said the Blues head coach.

“It was really good and I think that has given him the insight and the drive to want to forge this path.

“His talent ID, his recruitment, is second to none.

“He's got a way of working and a strategy which I think the club will really benefit from, and he's got a lot of motivation for it. You sense he's going to come in and drive standards.

“In terms of him coming in [next week], it will just be a case of him assessing things and getting up to speed as quickly as he possibly can.”

Clarkson has spent the last two years with the FA as the talent ID lead for the Under-17 to Under-21 England teams.

He previously spent nearly five years in senior scouting roles at Rangers, having been an analyst at Manchester City for a similar period before that.

The January transfer window will be a key focus for the new man amid Carlisle's struggling seasonThe January transfer window will be a key focus for the new man amid Carlisle's struggling season (Image: Ben Holmes)

Among the new man’s top immediate priorities will be to focus on the January transfer window as Carlisle try to turn their struggling League Two season around.

Williamson suggested a “huge” focus for Clarkson will include the goalscoring department of United’s team as well as other areas of the pitch.

Asked if Carlisle would move in that position in light of the season-long loss of Charlie Wyke to injury, Williamson said: “Our focus is on scoring goals and we know we have to improve.

“Out focus right now is on who we have in the team so that we can maximise our goal threat because it hasn't been good enough – but, also, at the other end as well.

“So, there's many focusing on that and that will be a huge focus for [Rob] in terms of making sure that we've got our plans and everything into place.”