Three next Rangers managers who would get 'unanimous' fan backing as Billy Dodds fires warning over unpopular contender

Ibrox chiefs are holding discussions with various managerial candidates and Steven Gerrard is the frontrunner

Billy Dodds reckons there are THREE next Rangers manager contenders who would get the 'unanimous' backing from Ibrox legions.

But the ex striker has warned the Light Blues hierarchy not to fall into the same trap by going down the EFL Championship route again.

Gers supporters have emphatically thrown their weight behind the return of Steven Gerrard after club supremos Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe held initial discussions with the title-winning gaffer this week.

It's understood talks with Gerrard and other candidates - including ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl - will continue over the weekend.

Chairman Cavenagh and his delegation are determined to have Russell Martin's successor in the hotseat in time for Saturday's visit of Dundee United.

It's believed Gerrard - who led Rangers to their only league triumph in 14 years - is open to making a sensational return to Govan.

Out-of-work Rohl is also said to have impressed Ibrox chiefs during the interview process - but Gerrard is undoubtedly the man the vast majority of punters want.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes has been linked but it's understood there has been no contact between both parties, while Shanghai Port gaffer Kevin Muscat has also been floated.

Dodds - who was part of Barry Ferguson's interim coaching staff last season - believes former players McInnes and Muscat would be popular appointments at Ibrox, even if Gerrard is the overwhelming first-choice.

However, he's warned the club's American owners to steer clear of rookie boss Rohl, who only has two years' managerial experience with the Owls.

He told BBC Sportsound: "I would say that the candidates being spoken about, you would have to say, they have to tick the box with the Rangers fans after what's happened.

"And I think when you look at Gerrard, whether they're talking about McInnes, Kevin Muscat's had a few mentions as well. I think if any of them were to end up at Ibrox, I think the fans would go yes.

"Danny Rohl, I'm not so sure about. Good manager. I just think it's down the same kind of profile it's gone before.

"And if anything went wrong, I think it would put the hierarchy at more risk as well. So I think you've got to take the fans' wishes into the equation.

"And I think any of those three arriving at Rangers would probably get a unanimous yes from the Rangers fans. But Gerrard is the frontrunner, obviously."

Rangers diehard Derek Ferguson reckons Gerrard is ready-made for the role.

Ferguson said: "There are a few out there. But when you listen to Steven Gerrard... I was listening to one of the podcasts that he was doing. He spoke really well, he talks about unfinished business.

"I just think there's an aura about him. I think he'd be able to attract good players to the club. Whether he gets the money or not is another matter.

"That's something that obviously will be in discussion at the moment. Does he excite the fans? I certainly think he does.

"I think most of the fans would enjoy the fact that he became the Rangers manager. There's a lot of stuff out there.

"You keep hearing that, yeah, the one trophy out of nine. You've got to remember, he was up against a top-class Celtic side. Celtic were an outstanding team at that time.

"So, he had to keep chipping away, chipping away as you do. And he'd done that, and he'd done it pretty well. You could see where he was going in terms of the style of football.

"The style of football was good, I enjoyed watching it. And he finally got us that trophy that all the Rangers fans desired.

"So, to answer your question. Would I like him in the door? Of course I would."

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