McCoist to succeed Smith at Rangers

Scottish Premier League giants Rangers have confirmed that assistant coach Ally McCoist will take over as a manager next season.

McCoist will replace current Rangers boss Walter Smith who is stepping down from the post at the end of the season.

The 48-year-old McCoist made over 400 appearances for the Scottish champions, netting 355 goals in 581 matches during a prolific career at Ibrox from 1983-98.

“We are delighted to confirm Ally as our next manager when Walter Smith steps down at the end of the season,” chief executive Martin Bain told the club’s official website.

“First and foremost Ally is a passionate Rangers supporter who has been a loyal servant to the club both as a player and more recently assistant manager.”

“He has contributed greatly to our success over the past four years and that is why we feel he is the right man to replace Walter.”

“He is the unanimous choice of the Rangers board and when I offered him the position in December – during our Champions League trop to Bursaspor – he agreed immediately.”

Seeking a third consecutive league title, Rangers sit eight points behind table-toppers and arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premier League standings, although Smith’s men have two games in hand.