FANS REACH FOR STARS IN DUGOUT
Light Blues are a bunch of name droppers as they demand Ibrox board get right gaffer this time
THE search for a new Rangers manager has begun and unsurprisingly there is no shortage of advice.
Derek McInnes may be the bookies’ favourite but the Aberdeen manager wouldn’t be universally welcomed as callers talked through a wide range of favoured options.
Tam Johnston, Dundee, said: “There’s one outstanding candidate I’ve not seen mentioned yet – former Hamilton boss Billy Reid. Everywhere he has gone he has built success on solid foundations, starting from winning promotion with Clyde before taking Hamilton into the Premiership and keeping them up.
“He developed three superb young players who were eventually sold to the English top flight in James McCarthy, James McArthur and Brian Easton.
“Now he’s enjoying terrific success in Sweden as assistant manager to Graham Potter at Ostersunds. They’ve taken a provincial side from the third division to the top league and won the Swedish Cup in April.
“And if that wasn’t enough they beat Galatasaray to reach the Europa League group stage and look on course to progress to the knockout stages too.
“Compare that to Derek McInnes who has repeatedly failed to get Aberdeen into the groups in Europe and got the sack from Bristol City. I know who I’d prefer.” Mal Carruthers, Troon, said: “I’d like Alex McLeish but an outside shout would be Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who managed Feyenoord to the Dutch title just last season.”
But John Wright, New Stevenston, said: “With some of the names being mentioned you would easily forget that this club and board are toxic.
“As usual they will end up with the cheap option. Managers like Sean Dyche wouldn’t touch the job with a barge pole.
“They’re even threatening to give the next manager a war chest. Yet they’ve got a chairman who admitted to having no money in court a couple of weeks ago.
“Carlo Ancelotti would be the best choice but let’s get real here – it won’t be Armani they’re buying from, it will be Poundland.”
Alex Greer, London, said: “I see some Rangers fans are calling for Sam Allardyce to be their next manager. That makes a lot of sense, he has never been relegated and should keep Rangers in the
top flight just above the play-offs for years to come.”
David Graham, Paisley, said: “People advocating Sam Allardyce need to look closer at his record.
“Blackburn – played 76, won 26. West Ham – played 114 won 35. Sunderland – played 30 won nine. Appointing him would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.” Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinney, said: “If Laurel and Hardy were Rangers supporters they’d be saying what another fine mess Dave King has got us into.
“They couldn’t run a bath that board. It’s time to sell up and move. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Ashley is relinquishing his ownership of Newcastle to take over the place lock, stock and barrel.” Lee Griffiths, Connahs Quay, said: “I hope it’s a different selection panel this time. There is no need to reinvent the wheel with their choice. There are plenty of very good British managers out there.”
Jon White, Erskine, said: “Same old drivel coming out from Rangers fans and pundits wanting Rainjurs men who know what club is all about. As a Celtic fan, I’d love that to happen as it would take them further back than they already are.
“Alex Rae, Alex McLeish, Barry Ferguson, Billy Davies or even Kenny Miller, I’d take any of them.
“They need to realise they’re not the same big club any more and money is tight. If they’re not careful it could be 2012 all over again.” Pat Thompson, Parkhead, said: “Dave King went back to South Africa, trusting his board to
pick a new manager. Surely he has to be here for the interviews because Rangers can’t afford to get this appointment wrong again.” Stevie Campbell, Tollcross, said: “I agree with Barry Ferguson saying Rangers needs to be surrounded by people who know the club inside out. This isn’t the time to experiment with Celtic getting further and further ahead.
“That’s why I genuinely believe Rangers need to go old school and ask Walter Smith to come back and help us again in our hour of need. Even if it’s just until the end of the season, at least he’ll steady the ship for the next manage.” Dunky Robertson, London, said: “What Rangers need is an exciting young manager who knows the Scottish football scene. Step forward Neil Lennon.” Could you imagine… Frank McCormick, Clydebank, said: “As a Celtic fan old enough to remember how it hurts when your club is in freefall, I ask Rangers supporters, is Dave King really the ‘saviour’ your club needs?
“He was on the board during EBT scandal and appointed Pedro who threw £10million down the drain – not to mention compensation money which will be looming and finances to overhaul the squad.
“It’s hard not to feel for the Rangers supporters.” Jamie Whitelaw, Bridgeton, said: “In my opinion Derek McInnes hasn’t got it as a manager and I’m far from the only one.
“He’s not achieved enough in the jobs he’s done already. I’d take Alex McLeish, somebody who knows the club and has a track record of delivering success.
“I’d rather see Gordon Strachan as the manager than McInnes.” Terry Hutton, Dunfermline, said: “Why would Derek McInnes take a step down from Aberdeen to go to Rangers?”
Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “I wonder how long this next Rangers manager will last? They have been through three bosses
quicker than I’ve gone through two pairs of shoes.”
Dougie Gannon,
Dirleton, said: “Give Graeme Murty the job, bring in Barry Ferguson and Alex Rae and Steven Thompson as assistants, recall all loan players and let them start from scratch.”
Finally, Jimmy Linn,
Kirkconnell, said: “I thought Caixinha was doing all right but I object to the media making a joke of him. I don’t think the guy was given a fair chance.
“I’m not saying he was the best but he had them trying to play decent football from the back.”
Plenty of his fellow Rangers fans would beg to differ strongly.