Rangers board are right to take their time over new boss, says Gordon Smith

FORMER Rangers chief Gordon Smith believes the Ibrox club are right not to rush into the appointment of a new manager.

The Light Blues announced on Friday that nobody has yet been interviewed for the vacant post, and that further applications are expected to arrive.

Sunday Post columnist Smith, who played for the club and had a spell as Director of Football, says Rangers have to make sure they can answer questions posed by a potential new boss.

He said: “I don’t believe an interview will be required if they have identified the person they want.

“However, that person will want to know the budget at their disposal.

“They will want funds to help take the club forward. That is a big issue and will worry some candidates.

“There are out-of-work managers who would take the job, regardless of the financial position.

“Those currently in a job, and looking to protect their reputation,  will want to look very closely at the budget.”

Smith feels the work done by Graeme Murty during his second spell in charge of the first team has bought the Ibrox Board a bit of breathing space.

Murty was praised for the way he took charge after the departure of Mark Warburton.

He has now overseen wins against Hearts and Partick Thistle since the sacking of Pedro Caixinha.

Smith said: “I’m sure there have been a lot applications, probably many of them from foreign managers.

“What has helped the club greatly is the work of Graeme Murty. He has led the team to two victories and there’s a lot of positivity about him.

“The club won’t have any worry about leaving him in interim charge for another couple of matches.

“His presence has bought Rangers time.

“That’s so important because this appointment is one the club can’t afford to get wrong.

“They got the last two appointments wrong with Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha.

“Caixinha was an abject failure and the Board can’t make another mistake like that.”

Smith doesn’t think the lack of progress changes Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes’ status as favourite.

He said: “McInnes is undoubtedly the main candidate, and my impression is that he must be interested in taking the job.

“If he wasn’t, he would surely have released a statement saying he that he wasn’t interested. That would have brought some reassurance to the Aberdeen fans.

“Of course, he may be waiting for an official approach from Rangers. He might well want to play everything by the book and then accept or turn down the job.

“I’m surprised that he has made no comment.

“Until he writes off the prospect of becoming Rangers manager, we have to assume he is interested.”