Monday 22 December 2014 12:49, UK
Rangers may have appointed Kenny McDowall as manager until the end of the season, but Ally McCoist's former assistant is effectively on trial in the Ibrox hotseat.
After much deliberation, McCoist finally went on 'gardening leave' on Monday, with the club happy to hand the reins to McDowall despite the Glaswegian having no experience as a first team manager.
With Hearts rated odds-on favourites (1/5) to win the Scottish Championship, McDowall faces a tough task to fulfil the club's short-term ambitions, and Sky Bet only make him 7/4 to still be in charge at the start of next season.
There will be no shortage of interest in the role if indeed McDowall fails to deliver, and here's a run through the potential contenders to be in charge of the club's first league game next season, should the position become available in the summer.
A divisive figure at times, Rangers fans will likely be split on the notion of Billy Davies managing their club next season. The Glaswegian, who spent three years at Ibrox at the beginning of his playing career, has been out of work since March after being sacked as Nottingham Forest manager for a second time. Davies has been linked with a return to the club ever since McCoist handed in his resignation earlier this month, and Sky Bet make him 4/5 favourite to be in charge at the start of next season.
Given the club’s well documented financial constraints, a lack of funds available for recruiting suggests a strong link to the club will be an imperative characteristic for any serious candidate. Former central midfielder Stuart McCall is another in a long line of former Rangers players in the list. The 50-year-old left Motherwell at the start of November following a disappointing string of results, but is still held in high regard after leading them to a second-place finish last season.
Terry Butcher is also out of work after leaving Hibernian following their relegation last season and clocked up over 100 appearances for the Ibrox outfit. The former England captain was considered a leading candidate for the Motherwell vacancy following McCall’s exit, but ruled himself out of a second stint at the club, having explained his reasons to the club privately.
Unlike the above, Dennis Wise never played in Scotland, with his only link to the club being prospective owner Mike Ashley. Wise was previously employed as an Executive Director by Ashley at Newcastle following stints as manager at Swindon and Leeds. While the St James’ Park owner’s involvement in the club remains unclear, Sky Bet have reported interest in Wise taking the reins, prompting them to cut his price from 25/1 to 16/1.
Brian Laudrup also boasts over a century of appearances for Rangers and established himself as a club legend during his four-year spell in Glasgow. The 45-year-old Dane currently runs a football academy and an Ibrox vacancy could be seen as the ideal launch pad for his managerial career. Back in 2013 Laudrup told Rangers TV: “Since Rangers went into these chaotic circumstances, I have said all along that, if I could help the club in any way, I would.” That need has rarely been greater but it would take a romantic vision to foresee him bringing back the glory days of the mid ‘90s in his first managerial position.
Should McDowall find himself out of the job by the summer, former players David Weir (33/1), Lee McCulloch (16/1) and Barry Ferguson (25/1) will be considered as outsiders to replace him. Meanwhile former Gers boss Dick Advocaat is also in the betting to be in charge of the club's first league game next season at 25/1. Gennaro Gattuso is perhaps one of the most glamorous names on the list, with the former Rangers and Milan midfielder available at 20/1.
Odds subject to change. New customers of Sky Bet can claim a £20 free bet with a £5 stake.
