We will take our time say chiefs

RANGERS have vowed to take "as much time as necessary" in appointing a new boss after finally calling an end to Pedro Caixinha's seven-month reign.

The beleaguered Portuguese coach was told his time was up yesterday after chairman Dave King called an emergency board meeting to discuss the side's slide. Caixinha was only in charge for 227 days but presided over several poor defeats in that time, including two of the club's worst ever results - last season's 5-1 home drubbing by Celtic and this term's humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.

The final straw for the Rangers board came after Caixinha's side followed up Sunday's Betfred Cup semifinal exit to Motherwell with a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. Caixinha is followed out the Ibrox exit by coaches Helder Baptista, Pedro Malta and Jose Belman while U20s boss Graeme Murty takes temporary charge.

But a club statement read: "The priority is to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible.

"But the board will take as much time as is necessary to secure the right person capable of representing Rangers and providing the brand of football supporters rightly expect."

Caixinha was the surprise choice to replace Mark Warburton in March but the little-known former Santos Laguna and Al-gharafa boss never looked a comfortable fit. He spent around £10million in the summer but many of his 11 recruits have flopped.