McCoist deserves to finish the job

RUMOURS abounded in Glasgow this week that Ally McCoist was going to be sacked as Rangers manager.

But Ally has been told to continue with his job as normal by both temporary executive chairman David Somers and shareholder Sandy Easdale ... and rightly so.

The team is second in the SPFL Championship. Okay, they are seven points behind leaders Hearts. But they have a game in hand and have three games against the Tynecastle club to play in the Championship.

It is not as if they are languishing in mid-table without a hope of winning the title or promotion. They are also, after their win over St Johnstone in the League Cup quarter-final, still in three cup competitions.

I think that having taken Rangers from the bottom division to the second tier he deserves the chance to see the job through. Of course, if his side lose their next half a dozen games then he could be out the door. Every football manager lives with that possibility.

But I am hopeful he will get the chance to continue what he has started. I think he has earned that right.

Hopefully he will sit down with the former Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias, who has come in as a consultant, for talks soon.

He has to outline what position the Ibrox club is in and what their needs are in the future. Because if Rangers do go up to the Premiership – and I am still convinced they will – then the squad will require investment.

There is no way this squad of Gers players will be able to challenge Celtic for the Premiership next season.

Remember, Ally McCoist has only spent money on two players, David Templeton and Lee Wallace, since succeeding Walter Smith as manager three years ago.

Rangers are going to have to spend if they want to bring in a bit of additional quality and push their Old Firm rivals in the top flight.