Ally McCoist has named an England legend as his dream choice to become the next Rangers manager – but it’s not fan favourite Steven Gerrard.
On Sunday night, Rangers sacked Philippe Clement following a disastrous run of form that has left the club trailing arch-rivals Celtic by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership.
The Gers have also been embarrassingly knocked out of the Scottish Cup by second-tier side Queen’s Park and are not fancied to progress in the Europa League after being drawn against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the last-16.
Even before Clement’s dismissal, Liverpool and England legend Gerrard was being tipped for a return to the Ibrox dugout, especially after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January.
The 44-year-old is fondly remembered in the blue-half of Glasgow for guiding Rangers to their first Premiership title in 10 years, going the 2020/21 season unbeaten before making an ill-fated switch to Aston Villa.
Rangers legend McCoist can see Gerrard’s return happening, but admitted he had hoped a different former Three Lions midfielder would get the job.
‘The decline in the club – on and off the pitch – since they won the league and were beaten on penalties in a Europa League final, after beating RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund… the decline hurts more than anything,’ a despondent McCoist told talkSPORT.
Asked who he wanted to see as manager, the former Scotland striker replied: ‘That is a question. Steven Gerrard would come into the equation obviously because of his success.
‘It would not happen now, but I would have taken a gamble on Frank [Lampard] before he went to Coventry. But he’s doing well at Coventry so I can’t see that happening.’
Following difficult spells at Everton and Chelsea, Lampard returned to the dugout in November and has enjoyed a strong start with Coventry, winning 10 of his first 19 games.
The Sky Blues have rocketed up the Championship table to seventh and are now just a point off the play-offs as the run-in begins, so there’s little chance of Rangers appointing the Chelsea legend.
‘[Kevin] Muscat has done well. Won three leagues in three different countries, could be another option,’ McCoist continued.
‘Derek McInnes would come into the equation, whose a fine manager at Kilmarnock. Knows the league, knows the players, knows the club.
Next Rangers manager odds
Barry Ferguson – 2/9
Russell Martin – 8/1
Steven Gerrard – 9/1
Issame Charai – 12/1
Sean Dyche – 18/1
Derek McInnes – 25/1
Kevin Muscat – 25/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
‘There’s definitely one or two options but I don’t think there any glaringly obvious candidates right now.’
One name McCoist did not mention was former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson who has reportedly held talks with the club over the managerial vacancy and is the bookies favourite.
It remains to be seen who will be in charge when Rangers travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.
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