Rangers’ Technical Director Nils Koppen has confirmed in his first interview in the post that he and the club seek a new ‘Rangers man’ for the coaching staff, a man versed in all things Ibrox, and this has of course set tongues wagging as to who management will be hiring.
Ibrox Noise takes you through the obvious candidates, none of whom will of course be taken up by this haplessly-amateur regime anyway.
Barry Ferguson:
Has been hankering for a job back at Rangers ever since he left and subsequently retired – he is, however, a wee bit cotton wool head, and is clearly cheerleading Philippe Clement to cosy in with the current boss and try to get his ticket back to the club in some capacity. Did the same with Michael Beale. Does only have the club’s best interests at heart, wants us to win, and is aching for the job.
Neil McCann:
He’s disappeared from the Rangers front lines the past 6+ months, ever since the Clement era essentially fell to pieces. Absolutely knows his stuff and is extremely well-respected by fans, but we’re not sure if he’s as favoured by the club these days.
Duncan Ferguson:
Has tried his hand at management lately, doing at best moderately. Was a disaster at Forest Green, one win in 18, but fared a little better in Inverness before being relieved through administration. Not sure we’d say he’s a 100% Rangers man, but he was so happy to join the club, but of course the-then Rangers hierarchy rather threw him under the bus and he ended up in jail. Has he forgiven us? Would he want to return?
Ally McCoist:
This is a long shot, given Ally’s incredibly-successful media career and the fact it’s made him very wealthy – he’s very happy in life with all that’s going on for him, and we really don’t think he’d be interested in returning to boots-on-the-ground management. But you never know.
Graeme Souness:
Even longer shot – Souness and Rangers parted company earlier the past 18 months over him being an advisor, and we doubt hugely he has interest in being a coach. Again, crazier things have happened.
Steven Davis:
More likely – problem with Davo is he’s not a big enough personality. A good Rangers man but we’re not sure how good a coach or manager he will be, how much will he be able to enforce and impress his ideas on players. But he is a definite possibility.
Allan McGregor:
We’re not sure how much he wants to be part of the club in that capacity, he’s enjoying his retirement and he’s been quite vocal about having limited interest in management.
Kevin Thomson:
We’ve never been keen on him – he didn’t do as well as Barry at Kelty, and he’s frequently mispronouncing player names in the media/punditry/Rangers TV. Has an ‘academy’ but his lack of any job and his very public begging for one suggests he’s nowhere near as well rated as some Rangers fans like to exalt him as. Also seems confused if he’s Kelty, Hibs or Rangers.
Steven Smith:
Had a brief gig alongside Davo and Alex Rae with Philippe Clement but the relationship just ended and he and Davo moved on, while Rae kept his job. Of all three, we do wonder a bit why it was Rae who stayed. Smith is a smart boy, a Rangers man, and very articulate. We could do much worse, and he has experience in Rangers’ youth sectors.
These are just a few, we’re sure you can think of more.