Find me a manager Dave King reveals his Rangers priority

Dave King has made a new manager his top priority at Rangers.

The former director will act swiftly to identify a permanent replacement for Ally McCoist if he wins control at March’s EGM. And the South Africa-based tycoon has vowed to welcome club legends like John Greig, Walter Smith and Graeme Souness back to Ibrox.

King believes the Light Blues need a manager who will identify and develop new talent at the club.

He said: “We have to make some fairly significant changes to the footballing side, but before that it is absolutely critical that we get the right manager.

“We have got a situation where we are not bringing a manager into a strong team.

“We are bringing a manager into a team that is obviously not equipped to compete in the Premier League and is really struggling.

“Given the need to balance budgets and just be more sensible about the way the money is spent we are going to have to get a manager who has the capacity to identify and manage players.

“I would imagine the single most important decision will be identifying the right manager who has all these qualities.”

King hopes to form a new Rangers Board along with former director Paul Murray and ex-Tennent’s Managing Director, John Gilligan.

The trio will take advice on possible candidates for the job of manager, but have ruled out a return for Ally McCoist.

They are prepared to pay compensation if the man they want is currently under contract at another club.

Meanwhile, King wants several famous faces from Rangers’ past to be brought back into the fold.

He maintains the absence of high-profile figures like John Greig emphasises the growing split between the club and the fans.

He went on: “For me, somebody like John Greig would be very important.

“I spoke to John when I was over here in November just phoned him up and asked how he was doing.

“There are individuals who I understand are not welcome at Ibrox because they are not supportive of the existing regime.

“What we would like to do is connect with the past. Supporters like John Gilligan have made it clear that, despite the difficult times, the history hasn’t been lost.

“This is the time to go forward. But we have to make sure we have that reconnect by bringing back some of the key names.

“We already have Richard Gough showing support, and to have people like John Greig and Graeme Souness coming back is going to be very, very important.”

King’s group will hope to clear up a long-running Ibrox mystery if they win control.

They will seek to identify the individuals behind Blue Pitch Holdings and Margarita Funds Holding Trust.

Between them the groups have just over 8% of Rangers’ shares.

King said: “After the General Meeting, we will be in a position to start looking into our own shareholders.”