Stuart McCall last night insisted that Mark Warburton would be “crazy” to even consider the possibility of leaving Rangers for Fulham.

The current Rangers manager was swiftly installed as favourite for the vacant position at Craven Cottage after the west London club parted company with Kit Symons last month.

Warburton has stated that it was “flattering” to be linked with the English Championship side but the former Brentford manager acting quickly to dismiss any notion that he would be returning south.

McCall, whose temporary spell at the Rangers helm came to an end after the 6-1 aggregate defeat to Motherwell in the play-off final, welcomed that declaration of intent and believes Warburton is the man to bring the glory days back to Ibrox.

“Unless it’s a top side in the Premier League, I think he’d be absolutely crazy to even contemplate it,” said McCall, when asked about Fulham’s interest. “As big a club as Fulham are, a London club and in the Championship, he’s working at Rangers now with between 40 and 50 thousand fans every week.

“There is now a feel good factor and he’s got almost a free hand. I know Mark is from England but I can only speak for myself and I wouldn’t give it one second’s consideration. He has a chance to build something at Rangers and finish what he has started.

“He’s aiming to get a promotion and the bottom line for any Rangers manager is to stop Celtic winning ten in a row. I spoke to Paul Lambert recently and he puts stopping Rangers winning ten in a row at the top of his list of achievements and he won the Champions League.

“He received more plaudits for that. It was my biggest boot in the balls and it was his biggest achievement.

“Mark’s being allowed to build a side and there are expectations and pressures at Rangers but if he goes to Fulham then what are his expectations?

“The size of the budget, the club and the fan base means Rangers should be aiming for top three.

“I had opportunities as a player to leave Rangers for Italy and back home to Leeds but when you are in at Rangers then you never want to leave.

“If you are talking about a Fulham that were sitting ninth or tenth in the Premier League then you may have a decision but he’s at one of the biggest clubs and it can be again.”