Rangers chiefs have been handed a boost in their search for a new manager to take the Ibrox hotseat.
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So far, one of the leading candidates to head to Ibrox has been former boss Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend has been out of a coaching role since January, when he left Al-Ettifaq and has already held positive talks with Rangers about a return.
Having ended Celtic’s reign the last time that he stepped foot in Scottish football, his appointment would certainly make sense as the Gers aim for a repeat. What’s more, the Liverpool legend, himself, recently admitted that he has “unfinished” business in management after failing in Saudi Arabia and in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
“I’d love another go at some point. I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh, with a few different people around myself.
“I’d love another couple of challenges doing this and that’s what I’m working on in the background at the moment. A few different ideas, a few different people around me.
“Now I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do. But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.”
That said, Gerrard isn’t the only candidate on Rangers’ list. The Gers have also been linked with former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and former Everton manager Sean Dyche.
It’s a decision that the 49ers cannot afford to get wrong after Martin’s failure and that’s why appointing an option far closer to home may well be their answer to bouncing back.
Derek McInnes now open to Rangers job
As reported by GiveMeSport, Derek McInnes is now open to joining Rangers and has a release clause in his current Hearts deal which should make it far easier for the Gers to seal any potential deal. The talented manager has enjoyed an excellent start to the season with Hearts and even sits top of the Scottish Premiership, unbeaten and two points ahead of Celtic.
After such a strong start at Hearts, the big concern for Rangers would have been convincing McInnes to leave, but reports suggest that he is keen on the job.
His appointment would also be an instant contrast to the route that the 49ers went down to welcome Martin. Instead of turning towards a sacked Premier League manager, the Gers would be welcoming a manager who knows the Scottish Premiership better than most of their other candidates and made history for Hearts last month with their first Ibrox win since 2014.
Interestingly, McInnes is represented by the same agency – Arena Sports Management – as Lennon Miller, after the Gers spent months chasing Miller only to miss out to Udinese. Perhaps the link between the two could create a path for the teenager to return to Scotland further down the line.
Looking at their options, both Gerrard and McInnes are the standouts for Rangers, who should make their decision before the return of domestic football from the international break.