McCoist is best man for the job, says Laudrup

BRIAN Laudrup believes Ally McCoist would have thought twice about taking on the role of Rangers manager if he was aware of just how much his dream job would turn into a nightmare.

McCoist took over the helm from Walter Smith in the summer after a spell as the veteran manager’s number two. But he has endured a turbulent first season in charge after the Scottish champions’ financial troubles came to a head when they were plunged into administration last month.

Former Ibrox midfielder Laudrup said: “I think if you’d asked McCoist six months back, if he would go through difficult moments like this, I’m not sure whether he would have taken this job.

“But it’s a dream job for him and he has coped with it well. You can’t prepare for things like that. Maybe two or three months down the road, he will look back and say, ‘Okay, it was tough but I’m still here and I’m trying to get this club back to glory’ – and hopefully that will be the case.”

Laudrup – who played for the club between 1994 and 1998 – insists Rangers could not ask for a better manager to steer them through a difficult period than record goalscorer McCoist. He added: “For any Rangers fan you would like to see a manager who lives and breathes this club and he certainly does that.

“It has been a very difficult few weeks for Rangers, that’s for sure. But I’m sure, with these fans, with the staff and people surrounding the club, that Rangers will come good at the end.”

Rangers are also the subject of a Scottish Premier League inquiry into allegations that the club made undisclosed payments to players.

The SPL board instigated the investigation following claims surrounding the club’s use of employee benefit trusts (EBTs) during Sir David Murray’s reign.

Stripping Rangers of titles won since the SPL’s inception in 1998 is one of the more severe sanctions which could be handed out following their investigation. Laudrup – who has already gone on record to deny having a second contract during his time at the Glasgow giants – said: “I can’t really understand that and I’m not sure that’s going to happen.

“There have been a lot of rumours and I’ve even had a Spanish journalist calling me up about second contracts. I’ve never had that – I can assure you of that.”

Laudrup is part of the Rangers Legends team who will take on AC Milan Glorie at Ibrox Stadium on Friday night.

With Rangers and both clubs’ respective charity foundations set to benefit, the Dane has urged fans to come along in their numbers.

He said: “I’m looking forward to that game. I played for AC Milan for one year back in the 90s and they were, at the time, the best team in Europe, the team to beat and comparable to Barcelona.

“To see some of these guys at Ibrox and some of the former Rangers players back as well, it will be a cracking game and hopefully a great crowd. I really hope we see a sell-out at Ibrox.”