STUART McCall, the interim Rangers manager, last night insisted he is unconcerned by another candidate being linked with the position at Ibrox he is currently attempting to win on a full-time basis.

 

Herald Sport this week reported that Karl Robinson, the 34-year-old who has just lead Milton Keynes Dons into the English Championship for the first time in their history, had attracted the interest of the Rangers board.

However, McCall, whose side take on Queen of the South in the second leg of the SPFL Premiership play-off quarter-final at Ibrox tomorrow afternoon, stressed he had fully expected directors to explore other options.

The 50-year-old also revealed he didn't believe he was the favourite to take over as manager permanently and expected to have to go through an interview process even if he secures promotion to the top flight.

He said: "Would it bother me if the club were speaking to other people? Not at all. When I first came into the job I knew what was being asked of me. It gave me the opportunity to come in. But I was always aware of what the gig was.

"It's only right that the club will be speaking to other people. Even just for the experience of it and to hear from them on which route they would take. You have to bear in mind that our board are new to it and I imagine they will be taking advice.

"Dick Advocaat was up the other day and came to speak to me in my office. I don't know if he was measuring up the curtains and the carpets, but it was nice to see him. We had a good chat."

McCall added: "I would imagine I would have to go for a formal interview. I don't think there is any doubt about that, but I'm fully comfortable with it.

"Am I the favourite? Not at all. The club have got a big decision to make in the coming weeks and months. Everyone knows how much I'm enjoying this job.

"Whoever gets it in the summer, whether that's me or someone else, will find it is a great job to have. There will be a lot of new players coming into the club so it will be an exciting time to be the Rangers manager."

Meanwhile, Rangers have told supporters and with fan ownership groups BuyRangers and Rangers First they will be able to invest in the Ibrox club in the near future - despite being delisted from the stock exchange.

The Rangers Supporters Trust held talks with director John Gilligan on Thursday night and released minutes of their meeting to their members yesterday.

Gilligan has appealed to fans to be patient with the new board as they attempt to deal with the historical issues they inherited from previous regimes after seizing control at an EGM back at the start of March.

He revealed that investment in the financially-stricken club has been delayed as they wait to hear if the SFA pass major shareholder Dave King as a fit and proper person.

However, the former Tennent Caledonian managing director promised a finance plan would be made public before season ticket renewal forms are sent out in the near future.

Rangers cited the poor corporate governance of their predecessors when they were delisted from the AIM Stock Exchange last month after being unable to find a nominated advisor to replace WH Ireland.

The RST minutes read: "There will be an opportunity for fans and fan groups to invest in the club in the future and to play an active role in restoring our club to its pre-eminent position in Scottish football."