RANGERS BACK FOR SATURDAY RANGERS player/coach Lee McCulloch today predicted Ally McCoist will get back into management in the future - in the Premier League down in England.

McCulloch was devastated when McCoist tendered his resignation earlier this month after three-and-a-half turbulent years in charge of the Gers.

The legendary striker has been put on gardening leave for the remainder of his 12 month notice period and Kenny McDowall has been appointed caretaker gaffer.

But the Light Blues skipper is confident the 52-year-old will return to the dugout and believes that he could be a success in the top flight down south.

McCoist was linked with several vacant positions in England - including at Crystal Palace and Sunderland - during his difficult spell as boss at Ibrox.

And his former captain reckons he would be able to handle a top job after what he went through during his rollercoaster tenure with the Gers. Asked if the all-time record Rangers goalscorer could manage in England, McCulloch said: "I don't see why not!

"In fact, I don't see why he couldn't go down there and be a big hit with the respect he gained from the dressing-room here and the way he is as a man."

McCoist led Rangers to back-to-back title triumphs after the Glasgow giants dropped down to the bottom tier of Scottish football back in 2012.

During his time as manager, he had to deal with constant upheaval at boardroom level, serious financial difficulties and escalating unrest among disgruntled supporters.

McCulloch, who has started his coaching qualifications and has been drafted in to help McDowall with training, believes he would flourish in different circumstances.

He said: "You do all these coaching badges and all the rest of it, but nobody explains what it will be like to go through what Ally McCoist has been through as a manager.

"They do not prepare you for that. That is one of the biggest things, the way he has handled the full situation.

"I think it would be good if he got a fair crack of the whip.

"He was certainly brilliant with us. He was a buffer for all the pressure.

"He handled it, took it on his own shoulders and kept the players away from all the stuff that was going on.

"In that sense he was brilliant. I didn't have the feeling it was bearing down on him, definitely not.

"It shows the strength of character he has. To have the mental strength as well to take all the pressure off the playing squad speaks volumes for me."

Rangers will play their first game following the departure of McCoist when they take on Hibs in an SPFL Championship match at Easter Road this afternoon and McCulloch feels they will miss McCoist. He said: "He's a hero, a club legend. In my opinion he is one of the greatest ever Rangers so it would be hard not to miss someone like that."