Walter Smith backs Derek McInnes for Rangers managerial vacancy

Walter Smith has thrown his weight behind Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes to become the new man in the Ibrox hotseat.

Rangers are looking for a new manager after parting company with Mark Warburton and his assistant David Weir three weeks ago, when Frank McParland also left his post as director of football.

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Sky Sports understands the Light Blues are aiming to appoint a new boss in the next 10 days and 46-year-old Portuguese Pedro Caixinha has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite for the job.

But speaking on Sky Sports prior to Rangers' 6-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat of Hamilton Academical, former Gers supremo Smith believes the answer to Rangers prayers lies much closer to home.

Smith, who led the Ibrox side to 10 league titles over two spells in Govan, said: "I'd like someone to come in that was going to bring a level of success to the club.

"I would like to see Derek take the opportunity to do that. I had him as a player (at Rangers), as a manager he has done a good job wherever he's gone."

McInnes has won praise for the work he has done at Pittodrie, and his time in the Granite City has underlined his credentials for the step up, according to Smith.

"He went down to Bristol City and had some problems," he said. "But he has come back to Aberdeen, and in four years there, has brought a real level of stability to the club.

"He's adapted to what he's got and I don't think Rangers would go far wrong in attempting to get Derek."

Aberdeen currently lead Rangers by six points in the league and face Partick Thistle on Sunday for a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Warburton stuggled to match Celtic's physical and financial muscle this season and while he has a measure of sympathy, Smith says the 30-point gap on their City rivals proved telling.

He said: "I think they're finding it a bit more difficult than they thought they would.

"I wasn't particularly surprised that Rangers ended up in second or third position in the league.

"What I was a wee bit surprised about is the number of points they are away from Celtic, but that's a credit to Celtic and the way they've handled the season.

"They now find themselves 30-odd points behind Celtic which is obviously an unacceptable circumstance for a club like Rangers."

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