The Rangers icon has been discussing the club’s search for a new manager.
Ally McCoist has voiced his next manager concern amid Rangers’ continuing managerial search, and believes Brendan Rodgers will respond to fan demand.
49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh have completed their ownership of Ibrox, with the first priority being a new head coach. Former Southampton and Swansea City manager Russell Martin is thought to be close to becoming Philippe Clement’s permanent successor, but Ibrox legend McCoist believes time is of the essence with Champions League qualifiers next month.
He is concerned that the longer the wait, the less time he will have for preparation. McCoist also believes Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will have something to say about the takeover, which sparked an immediate demand for Rangers success, with the Hoops presently holding the Premiership and Premier Sports Cup crowns.
Ally McCoist on next Rangers manager
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “The sooner the better but it was never going to happen until the takeover was just about complete. A head coach or manager was never going to be appointed while the ownership was still in uncertainty. Now that’s done the priority is to appoint a head coach and they have to do it ASAP, whether it’s Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin. I know there was talk of Brian Priske and Francesco Farioli. I’m more concerned about time. We’re right into qualifying games almost immediately. The project at Leeds United was one of planning, the 49ers didn’t just start throwing money about willy nilly.
“There will be a serious business plan, although money will be made available. Rangers fans will demand instant improvement and that’s not a lot to ask for. Whether they get instant success I’m not so sure, Brendan across the road will have something to say about that, but they will demand instant improvement on and off the pitch. Rangers fans clearly and understandably have a future to look forward to. Yes there is uncertainly but the pluses by far outweigh the minuses.
There is alignment in the club, and all you want is for everyone behind the scenes to be working towards the same goal, which is club success. They all have to sing from the same hymn sheet.
Disagreements and diverse perspectives can be beneficial as long as they are for the good of the club, which I don’t believe has been the case recently. I believe the Rangers have better times ahead of them.
Russell Martin to Rangers latest
Martin appears to be the front-runner for the post right now, with sources indicating that a deal is nearing completion. Scotland custodian Angus Gunn, who played alongside the former centre back at Norwich City, believes it is a good fit. He stated, “I only worked with him as a player at Norwich.” He’s a really intelligent individual. I went in there as a young custodian, and he helped me tremendously despite the fact that he wasn’t on the team every week or playing on a regular basis.
He was the club’s captain and had fantastic ties with everyone in the dressing room, and after seeing what he accomplished at Southampton – where he did extremely well – he was unfortunate to lose his position since it is usually difficult for clubs coming up to the Championship to compete.
I’m watching him on TV right now, and I truly hope he succeeds in whatever he chooses to do with his career. I’m not sure if he’ll go to Rangers, but he’s played there before and knows the club well, and I believe it would be a great move for Rangers.
