Ally’s up for Black Cats role
board looked at the fixture list and felt they had a favourable run so they could afford to take their time.
If you take the first game out of the equation against Hearts, even allowing for the fact it was Murrayfield and not Tynecastle, then you would expect Rangers to beat Partick Thistle and Hamilton at home.
And whatever happens, Murty will come out of this spell with immense credit as he has brought a bit of stability.
He’s done a good job and got the team back playing with a smile on their faces which clearly wasn’t the case beforehand.
His job has bought the board a bit of time because the fact they’re winning games means there are less questions being asked.
But there’s a difference between being a caretaker and a permanent manager and I’m not sure he’s quite ready. The board are obviously weighing up their options because there will be huge interest in the job.
I saw Henning Berg’s name was mentioned in Record Sport yesterday and I’ve also heard Tim Sherwood and Gus Poyet’s names being aired.
These guys might be good managers but I’ve said previously I feel Rangers need someone who knows the values of the club and the pressure that comes with it. No disrespect to the aforementioned names but I don’t think they really understand what Rangers are all about. That’s why they have to go and get Derek McInnes.
I’ve made it clear I think he’s the No.1 choice and he’s right under their noses – that’s the bit I don’t understand.
I’ve heard people say it doesn’t need to be someone who knows the club but Rangers went leftfield last time and look what happened.
I’m not sure if he would be put off by the time it’s taken if they eventually do go to him, only he can answer that.
But knowing McInnes as I do, I don’t think the speculation will affect him and the job he’s currently doing at Aberdeen.
It would certainly be difficult if the situation isn’t resolved before the Rangers-Aberdeen double header at the end of this month but I’m convinced someone will be appointed by then.
Could it be there is a bit of conflict between the board and director of football Mark Allen when it comes to McInnes? Possibly.
Certainly the director of football should pick the manager and the board can get on with their job of generating cash and all the other things involved in the day-to-day running of a club the size of Rangers.
Caixinha was appointed to his post and then they brought in Allen.
I didn’t think that was ever going to work because the director of football must be in favour of the manager. Allen should be in charge of the full football side which is why I would like to think he is the one who makes the decision, otherwise it’s pointless having him. He has put a scouting network in place and has to have the final say on who he thinks is the man to take Rangers forward – then it’s up to the board to appoint him. Allen might not be too familiar with McInnes but he wouldn’t have to do much homework to see the job he’s done at Aberdeen. And prior to that he did a fine job at St Johnstone and did well at the start when he went to Bristol City before struggling towards the end. But it’s what he’s done at Aberdeen that is most impressive. He took over a team fighting relegation and he’s turned them into the second-best team in the country. I would like to think Allen is aware of what he has done at Pittodrie but he might have someone else in mind and that’s his call because he’s the director of football. I would imagine McInnes likes to do things his own way but only he can answer whether he could work with a director of football. I don’t know how he operates at Pittodrie. He would need to discuss that with Allen but it’s all ifs and buts just now because we don’t know if he is the man Rangers want. The bottom line is if it’s Joe Bloggs then the Rangers fans will get right behind him but they just want to know who it’s going to be. ALLY McCOIST admits he would be interested in becoming the next Sunderland manager.
The Rangers legend and former Black Cats player has been linked with the post since Simon Grayson was sacked last month.
McCoist revealed he still has such affection for his old club that he has season tickets for the English Championship strugglers.
The 55-year-old admits he would be open to taking the job at Sunderland where ex-Gers supremo Martin Bain is chief executive.
He told talkSPORT: “Of course. Why would you not? Sunderland’s a fantastic club and a place which is very close to my heart.
“I’ve had seasons tickets since I’ve left. I had season tickets at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light.
“I just feel the Sunderland fans have lost a bit of heart and belief. Their numbers are dwindling, so it is massively important that they get it right.”
McCoist, who is 7-1 third favourite for the Sunderland manager’s job, was with the club from 1981 to 1983 and scored nine goals in 65 appearances.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes turned down the job in the summer before Grayson was appointed.