NEIL Alexander has urged Rangers to do whatever it takes to make Derek McInnes the next manager at Ibrox.
The Aberdeen boss has emerged as the leading contender to replace Pedro Caixinha after he was sacked after just seven months in charge.
Former Light Blues keeper Alexander worked with McInnes at Pittodrie last term as the Dons finished second in the Premiership and reached the finals of the Betfred Cup and Scottish Cup.
And Alexander believes the 46-year-old is the obvious candidate the Ibrox board should turn to as they continue their search for Caixinha’s successor.
He said: “My opinion, and this was the same opinion before Caixinha was given the job, is Derek McInnes [for Rangers], all day long.
“One of the reasons I went to Aberdeen was because I was wanting to work with Derek McInnes, because of what he’s done for Aberdeen, what he’s done in the past.
“I had a few chats with him before I signed and I was extremely impressed with what he had to say, what his beliefs were on football and his vision for the future.
“For me, hands down, he would be my number one target for Rangers.
“He’s a fantastic manager, he’s done extremely well with the resources he’s had at Aberdeen and he’s been very successful in his time at Aberdeen.
“He’s a Rangers man, he knows the club, he knows the demands of the fans, the expectations, the pride of that badge and what it takes.
“Is it the time for him to leave? Is it a mess at Rangers? Does he have money?
“But sometimes you only get one opportunity to go to a big club – it might never happen again due to different circumstances.
“Rangers have got to get it right and if that means spending money to get Derek McInnes out of his Aberdeen contract they’ve got to do it.
“They shouldn’t rush into it, they should take their time and get the right man. Whatever it costs, they have to get this right.”
Rangers started life after Caixinha with a 3-1 win over Hearts on Saturday as a Kenny Miller brace and Josh Windass strike clinched a crucial Premiership victory.
Under-20 boss Graeme Murty has again made the step up to the first team dugout and will take charge of the Light Blues while the recruitment process is ongoing at Ibrox.
Murty had a six game stint at the helm earlier in the year as he took over from Mark Warburton before Caixinha was appointed in March.
And Alexander reckons the 42-year-old has a bright future in the game ahead of him as he looks to forge a career on the touchline.
He said: “He’s doing a fantastic job in the interim and doing a great job behind the scenes with the Under-20s, and he’s learning his trade.
“He’s still young; I think he’s got fantastic prospects for the future, to become a really good manager, but at the minute it’s too soon for him.
“He’s got a great understanding of being a player – he’s not long out the game.
“He flew through all his coaching badges, he’s got really good contacts down south, he reads up on the game, he just wants to learn and improve himself.
“He’s got the opportunity, he’s got the team, and he’s doing it his way,” Alexander added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here