Former Hearts star returns to Rangers as club icon appointment confirmed

A familiar face will form part of the interim management team at Rangers.

A former Hearts star has completed a return to Rangers after being confirmed as part of new interim manager Barry Ferguson’s backroom staff.

The Ibrox legend will take charge of his old club for the remainder of the 2024/25 season after stepping into a temporary role following the departure of former manager Philippe Clement on Sunday night. The future of the former Belgium international had been the subject of increasingly intense speculation in recent weeks before the Rangers board opted to bring an end to his 18-month reign in the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against St Mirren.

Coaches Alex Rae, Colin Stewart and Stephan van der Heyden also departed and Rangers have moved quickly to name an interim management team that will see two former Premiership managers working alongside Ferguson for the remainder of the campaign. The 45-times capped Scotland international has spent time in charge of Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic earlier in his career – and he will find top flight experience in his backroom staff after former Hearts winger Neil McCann and Billy Dodds were appointed to his coaching ranks.

McCann, who made over a century of appearances during two spells with Hearts, took charge of Dundee in 2017/18 and also had a spell as interim manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle four years ago. Former Rangers striker Dodds was actually McCann’s assistant during his time at the Caledonian Stadium and was named as permanent manager at the end of the campaign. Former Rangers stalwart Allan McGregor will also join Ferguson’s staff and assistant manager Issame Charai will remain in his position at Ibrox, despite Clement’s departure. Rangers have also confirmed Brian Gilmour will remain in place to ‘continue to bridge the gap between the academy and the first-team’.