So there we have it. If the Smith/McCoist regime is successful, Ally McCoist is the next manager of Rangers Football Club, according to club chairman Sir David Murray.

 

I'm undecided at that prospect, because you can only judge a manager when he's in the position, not when he's assistant to someone else who makes all the big decisions.

 

Two thoughts spring to mind.

 

(1) When Graeme Souness left Rangers, David Murray already had his successor appointed in Walter Smith. The press speculated on lots of other higher profile candidates, but nobody else was interviewed, it was Walter's job from the moment Souness walked out of the door. Many fans were unsure (myself included), thinking he wasn't experienced enough and had never been a manager in his own right. But he had served his apprenticeship under an extremely experienced manager and six years later Rangers were celebrating 9-in-a-row.

 

(2) Rangers very publically made it known last season that Walter Smith had delegated responsibility for the management of the team in the domestic cup competitions to Ally McCoist, and Smith very much took a back seat in these matches. Both domestic cup trophies are currently in the Trophy Room at Ibrox.

 

Your thoughts ?