THE Great Ibrox Guessing Game is in full flow since the news of Mark Warburton’s “resignation” as the comedy club’s boss after joining in the summer of 2015 from Brentford.
There is chaos in Govan about the next move and last night’s very dignified statement – issued at 9pm – stated Under-20 coach and Celtic supporter Graeme Murty would be in charge of the team for tomorrow’s home Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Morton.
Here is a selection of some of the names that have already been mentioned as a sucessor to the Englishman.
ALEX McLEISH
The 58-year-old has already had a stint at Ibrox when he took over from Dick Advocaat in December 2001. He has been hanging around Ibrox like a bad smell in recent months.
He won seven trophies before being replaced by Frenchman Paul le Guen five years later, a disastrous appointment by David Murray that collapsed within months with the club once again in turmoil.
Big Eck, who has also managed the Scotland international team as well as UK club sides Motherwell, Hibs, Birmingham City, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, has been spotted at home games this season.
He admitted that he was only able to compete with Celtic during his time as Ibrox manager with the assistance of illegal tax schemes.
Could be seen as a short-term fix until the end of the campaign.
CQN Verdict – Highly likely
GRAEME SOUNESS
Another former manager, but it’s unlikely he would consider uprooting his family from England to take over the post. However his name is being mentioned on the most uniformed of all places on the internet, the Rangers forums.
He quit the Glasgow outfit after five years to return to Liverpool in 1991. Things didn’t work out at Anfield and he left three years later. Has managed in England and Europe before leaving Newcastle United in 2006.
Souness without a chequebook? Odds against him accepting that poisoned chalice. Souness in the not too distant future will be asked about the EBT he received from the old Rangers while managing Blackburn Rovers.
CQN Verdict – if the Zombies are saying it, there’s little chance it’s true.
DEREK McINNES
An ex-Rangers player who has done well on a relative shoestring at Aberdeen over the past three years, winning the League Cup in 2013/14.
He has recently insisted he is perfectly happy at Pittodrie and, importantly, he is under contract for another 18 months.
The Dons would claim compensation for their gaffer and that could frighten off the Ibrox men.
CQN Verdict – Sevco don’t have the cash to pay compensation to Warburton and his team, never mind to Aberdeen.
TOMMY WRIGHT
The former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper led St Johnstone to a Scottish Cup triumph in 2013/14 and has been lauded for his efforts with the Perth side.
Like McInnes, he has been unable to splash the cash, but he has put together a good, workmanlike team that are tactically astute and difficult to beat.
The word, though, is that Championship sides across the border have been monitoring his progress and it is more likely he may make the managerial switch to England.
He agreed a new contract with the Perth outfit in October 2015 as the Saints fended off interest from Dundee United.
CQN Verdict – he’d be the logical choice given their position. There’s seldom anything logical happening at Ibrox though!
BILLY DAVIES
Another ex-Ibrox player with a lot of dug-out experience after spells at Motherwell, Nottingham Forest (twice), Derby and Preston. He almost got the job a few years ago and this was only prevented by one of their boardroom dramas.
Has a good reputation within the game and has a great supporter in former Scotland international supremo Craig Brown.
He’s out of work at the moment and, of course, wouldn’t cost a penny in compensation.
CQN Verdict – he was unavailable for comment last night, something to do with walking the dog.
BRIAN OR MICHAEL LAUDRUP
Either of The Danish Blues Brothers are an intriguing possibility. Brian lit up Ibrox in his four years as a player at the old Rangers , but often played off the cuff.
That doesn’t work from a position on the touchline and it could be that he is not suited for a manergial role.
Michael had two years in the Swansea dug-out before being sacked three years ago.
He is currently with Al Rayyan in Qatar after agreeing a two-year deal in October 2016. Another who would require Rangers paying off a contract.
CQN Verdict – not even they are that stupid.
FRANK DE BOER
Another former fans’ favourite in Govan although he was past his best when he arrived from Galatasaray in 2004.
Won four successive Dutch titles with ex-club Ajax, but failed miserably at Inter Milan this season.
He quit the Amsterdam giants to take over the Serie A outfit in August 2016 and was sacked in November after a run of poor results.
Probably still sees his future on the continent which would veto any thoughts of a post in Glasgow.
CQN Verdict – money matters to the Boers so rule them out.
