‘RANGERS SHOULD GO FOR McLEISH,’ URGES SMITH

FORMER Rangers Director of Football Gordon Smith believes the Ibrox side should turn to Alex McLeish to take over as boss as the fall-out over Mark Warburton’s departure continues.

The club announced at 9pm last night they had accepted the resignations of Warburton, assistant David Weir and Head of Recruitment Frank McParland.

The trio, however, “categorically deny” quitting the Ibrox outfit.

Ex-player Smith said his old club should move for McLeish, who won seven trophies as Rangers boss from 2001 to 2006.

He insisted: “I think I would look to somebody who has got good experience at a high level, certainly you have to have that when you manage a team like Rangers.

“Mark Warburton found difficulties, to a certain degree, in how you are treated as an Old Firm manager.

“You really are in a goldfish bowl here being looked at very closely so I think you need to bring in somebody who is experienced in that respect.

“That’s why I believe somebody like Alex McLeish would be an ideal candidate.”

Rangers now face Morton in the Scottish Cup tomorrow and Smith feels some of Warburton’s summer signings have not worked out.

He added: “It’s been so confusing and it really has been a shock, especially with the timing of it, just prior to a major Cup-tie.

“It will have an effect on the supporters because it did feel as if Mark Warburton turned things around, he got the club promoted last year and I think they were looking to see how he could compete this year against Celtic.

“They were never going to win the league this year. Celtic are stronger, they have more money than Rangers have, but I think some of the fans have been a bit annoyed about some of the performances, the signings haven’t all worked out, too.

“Some of the signings who came in, who were key signings, didn’t work out on the basis of turning the club around.

“They are still competing for that second spot which Rangers Football Club feel they should be getting, and the supporters certainly feel they should be getting that.

“I think that’s why it has become a bit turbulent and I think that’s why, to a certain degree, a lot of the fans will support the board in this.

“There is no doubt a lot of the fans do feel a change was required.”