Alex Neil is the latest man to have been backed for the Rangers job
Tuesday 28 February 2017 18:22, UK
Norwich manager Alex Neil has been backed to become the next permanent manager of Rangers.
Neil did not begin the day among the market leaders but by Tuesday evening he was Sky Bet's 13/8 joint-favourite alongside Alex McLeish.
Portuguese manager Pedro Caixinha [5/1] and former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew [8/1] are next in the market.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Charles Paterson says Neil has the right credentials but pointed out that the betting market has been volatile since the departure of Mark Warburton.
"I think he [Neil] fits the template of what they are trying to do at Rangers," Paterson reported from Glasgow.
"They want a young coach in, a really aspirational coach, someone who knows the Scottish game, who can work alongside a director of football.
"I think he fits the template but he is the fifth or sixth bookies' favourite since this process began over two weeks ago, so read into that what you will.
"He is pushing for promotion with Norwich back to the Premier League, but he has had issues this season, and there were suggestions earlier in the season that his job might be under threat.
"Maybe he fancies getting out of the pressure cooker of Norwich but he would be stepping right into a furnace here at Rangers."
Rangers play St Johnstone on Wednesday and then have a big Scottish Cup quarter-final at home to Hamilton on Saturday.
But Paterson says there are no signs of a new manager being appointed ahead of the cup tie.
"Rangers have not made any indication they are any closer to making an appointment," he added.
"They are hoping to get a director of football in by the end of the week, we understand.
"It looks like [interim boss] Graeme Murty will be taking charge tomorrow night against St Johnstone and at the weekend against Hamilton.
"I don't believe the urgency is there to have someone in before the weekend."
