Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson has told Ibrox chairman Dave King he owes it to the club's supporters to get their next managerial call right.

The BBC Scotland pundit savaged King's handling of Mark Warburton's Light Blues exit.

And he also claims caretaker boss Graeme Murty has been left in an "unfair" position trying to rescue the side's crumbling season.

Read more: Third place would be a success for Rangers, claims defender Clint Hill

The Under-20s boss has presided over back-to-back defeats against Dundee and Inverness - losses which have seen Gers slip nine points behind Aberdeen in the race for second.

However, he will remain in charge for Wednesday's Ladbrokes Premiership clash with St Johnstone and Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup showdown with Hamilton as Ibrox chiefs close in on landing a new boss and director of football.

But Ferguson - who won won three league titles during his seven-year Gers career - reckons fans have been short-changed by the failure to secure an interim manager to see the side through to the summer.

He told Press Association Sport: "The board have been poor, in my opinion.

"The punters are asking, 'What's going on here?' The chance to finish second looks like it's disappeared, while the Scottish Cup also appears to be an outside bet.

"That is down to the board because they should have brought someone in who would have given the place a lift.

"Alex McLeish would have ticked those boxes for me.

Read more: Third place would be a success for Rangers, claims defender Clint Hill

"The fans need something now, though, because it's been hell for them over the last few years with what the club has been dragged through. They pay top dollar to see their team and deserve better.

"So Dave King and the other directors need to step up to the mark."

But Ferguson warned whoever does get the job on a full-time basis faces a major reconstruction job.

Warburton had to ship out 21 players when he took over following Ally McCoist's failed regime and Ferguson reckons another drastic clear-out will be on the cards this summer.

Offering sympathy to Murty for the mess he currently finds himself dealing with, Ferguson said: "I'm surprised that Graeme will still be in charge by the weekend. It's a bit unfair on him. He's been put in a position by the board that he can't say no to.

"It's not in this team's nature to fight. They are all nice and tidy football players - but they don't have that other side to them.

"The only one showing any hint of fight is Kenny Miller, who is 37.

"That's not me having a go at the players - it's down to the recruitment. Warburton signed a lot of neat, tidy players but you need more than that. The mix isn't right.

"There was a huge rebuilding job done when Mark first took over and I'm afraid it's going to have to be just as big a job this time too.

"The loan boys Jon Toral and Emerson Hyndman will be going back for starters. But you have to address the defence. The midfield needs to be looked at too, as it does up front. So it needs another overhaul."

Read more: Third place would be a success for Rangers, claims defender Clint Hill

In the meantime, Ferguson reckons Murty needs help but insists there will be no shortage of former Gers servants willing to lend a hand.

And that includes his brother Barry after his stint as Clyde manager came to an end on Sunday.

"There is still a lot of guys with Rangers connections who could help Graeme," said Ferguson. "Guys like John Brown, Gordon Durie, Colin Hendry - even my wee brother.

"Barry has dipped his toe into management with Clyde and people still look up to him. Would he go back as a coach? Of course he would.

"They need someone in there who will have the respect of the players. Someone who has been in there and done it.

"I think the players respect Graeme as a person, and I know he's a former international, but for me it's the Rangers identity that needs to be kept at the club.

"To know the mindset of the supporters is key. The punters are not daft and will want to see that mindset being carried forward. If that means going out and getting a Bomber [Brown] or a Barry Ferguson in to work with Murty, then why not? What have the club got to lose?"

Ferguson was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.