With Rangers currently having to rely on inexperienced U-20s manager Graeme Murty to take the reins as caretaker manager, it's clear that a solution needs to be found at Ibrox to ensure that the club finish second in the Scottish Premiership and perhaps even deliver Scottish Cup success.

Whether the next appointment is long-term or just until the end of the season, the 'Gers need a man with experience and success behind him to guide the club through what will be a difficult period of transition following the departure of Mark Warburton.

There have been many names linked with the position, with Tommy Wright, Billy Davies and Derek McInnes all early contenders for the role.

However, one man stands above those and that is Alex McLeish. He may not have the best managerial record in recent seasons but he has plenty of the attributes that Rangers are looking for.

Here are THREE reasons why McLeish is the right man to take Rangers forward...

Prior success

Let's not forget that Alex McLeish achieved greatly when at the club against what was a very good Celtic side. He won a massive seven trophies with the club, with two SPL titles, including a much celebrated 2005 league win that Rangers fans dub 'Helicopter Sunday' due to the dramatic and last-minute nature of the victory.

He also won a treble, something fans can only dream of right now. That winning mentality is crucial to the Ibrox club going forward and something that was arguably missing from Warburton's tenure.

There are a lot of factors at play to become a successful manager - tactical knowledge, recruitment, coaching - however, when you take charge at either Rangers or Celtic there's an X-factor required that you only know someone has when they take to the dugout in Glasgow.

It's clear to see that Brendan Rodgers has it and the 'Gers need to someone to inspire them to similar heights. McLeish's prior time at Ibrox proves he has what it takes.

Steadying the ship

Rangers' season has been pretty calamitous on and off the pitch. From big derby defeats to betting scandals to the acrimonious departure of Mark Warburton, it has been a dramatic campaign for all the wrong reasons.

They need an experienced had to come in and steady the ship right away, someone who will command the respect of the dressing room and ensure there's no more nonsense in the closing months of the season.

Who better than a man with a distinguished career as a player, a successful career as a manager and most importantly a man who understands the club from top to bottom?

He can be the experienced character required to unify the club through a difficult period, and is a Rangers man willing to put everything on the line to deliver success.

No questions asked

It may be true that the Rangers hierarchy need more time than the current deadline they are under to bring in a man that can guide the club long-term. Even if that long-term appointment is not McLeish then he can at least take them forward for the short-term into the summer, and ensure that club still meet their goals set out at the start of the season.

One of those goals is ensuring they qualify for Europe through a league finish and another goal is lifting major silverware in the form of the Scottish Cup.

Rangers have already stated they're looking for a Director of Football at Ibrox and with that comes uncertainty about what sort of form the head coach/manager's position at the club will take.

There aren't many managers that would come into Rangers no questions asked and commit to taking on an enormous job without knowing what the future holds. McLeish is potentially one and the club should at least sound him out to see if he's willing to take up the job and guide the Ibrox club through a difficult time.