This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6233237.stm

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Rangers' Smith approach revealed Taylor fears Smith Rangers move
(about 18 hours later)
Scottish FA chief executive David Taylor has confirmed that Rangers have enquired about the availability of national manager Walter Smith. Scottish FA chief executive David Taylor believes the lure of managing Rangers for a second time will prove too strong for Walter Smith to resist.
Former Rangers heroes Smith and Ally McCoist are expected to be named as the new management team at Ibrox. Smith and Ally McCoist are expected to take over at Ibrox following the departure of Paul Le Guen.
"We have had some contact with Rangers but that is as much as I'd like to say," Taylor told BBC Radio Scotland. "If it comes to pass we would have a managerial disruption at the worst possible time," said Taylor.
"We will be sitting down and talking to Walter on Monday but, for now, he is under contract and employed by us." "Walter indicated to us the Scotland job was right for him... but this particular job (Rangers) is different."
Intervew: SFA chief executive David TaylorIntervew: SFA chief executive David Taylor
It will be Smith's second spell at Ibrox and he will be assisted by Scotland coach McCoist. Taylor, who confirmed on Sunday that the Ibrox side had contacted the SFA about Smith's availability, said he would hold talks with Smith on Monday about the approach.
They will take over from Paul Le Guen, who left after just 200 days in charge. If Smith does take over it would be his second spell at Ibrox, after helping Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton.
Smith helped Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton. We need to sit down and see if he wants to talk to Rangers SFA chief executiveDavid Taylor
Both Smith and McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.Both Smith and McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France.Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France.
It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign.It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign.
"It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA."It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA.
606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say
"Walter is the Scotland team manager, and I hope it stays that way," said Taylor.
"He's got a contract for another 18 months and that's the issue here. We need to sit down and see if he wants to talk to Rangers.
"What Rangers are offering, I don't know. I can't read his mind. He hasn't said he wants to become Rangers manager, but we agreed it was not good to discuss it over the phone."
Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term.Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term.
But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen".But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen".
Smith has maintained close links with Rangers' chairman Sir David Murray, since leaving Ibrox.
And former Scotland boss Craig Brown confirmed the pair's close relationship had been maintained in recent times.
He told BBC Sport: "The chairman is very, very close to Walter Smith and Ally McCoist and they would make an excellent appointment in my opinion.
It's not just a massive job to turn things around, it's a massive job - period - working at Rangers Ian Durrant
"There would have to be a compromise if Walter was going there.
"There is a possibility in the short term of him doing both jobs, there's been a precedent for that.
"Guus Hiddink was PSV manager and also managed Australia and Mark Hughes for a time did both jobs for Wales and Blackburn.
"It is far from ideal, but you could imagine it being a short-term solution."
Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic.Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic.
"If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant."If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant.
"He will get the help he needs and hopefully if it does happen he will bring in the calibre of player to get the club back on track.
"It's not just a massive job to turn things around, it's a massive job - period - working at Rangers."