CAMMY BELL has hailed boss Ally McCoist for keeping his Rangers stars focused on title glory - and shielding them from the bitter boardroom upheaval at Ibrox.

The Light Blues have already raced into a seemingly uncatchable position at the top of SPFL League One, easing 14 points clear of nearest challengers Dunfermline.

McCoist has attempted to distance himself from the boardroom bickering in public in recent weeks to focus on football and Light Blues No.1 Bell says the Gers boss has been the ideal man for the Ibrox squad to look up to.

He told SportTimes: "The boss takes a lot of pressure off us. He is obviously involved in the off-field stuff at times, but he doesn't let the players get involved or worry about it.

"We just get on with our business, he keeps everything separate.

"He has got a tough job keeping in contact with what is happening at board level and keeping us on our toes for games.

"But he has been fantastic so far and done a great job for the club."

With his side in a commanding position in the title race, McCoist can reflect on a job well done so far this season as Rangers look to take the next step of their journey back to the top of Scottish football.

But off-field controversies continue to dominate the headlines.

The club's corporate structure will become clearer at what is likely to be a stormy AGM on Thursday, December 19, as the two factions battling for control of the club go head-to-head.

There have been more boardroom developments in recent days following the appointment of David Somers as acting chairman and Norman Crighton as non-executive director.

And former Manchester City chief operating officer Graham Wallace may be days away from becoming the club's new chief executive.

The road to recovery on the field has been completed in some style so far and Bell is confident McCoist is the man to finish the job.

He said: "The manager has been fantastic. It has obviously been a difficult time for Rangers over the last few years and he deserves great credit for what he has done for the club.

"He has been great with the players and kept things together on the pitch, we are heading in the right direction.

"Everyone knows that it will take time, but he has got us going in the right direction and he has put a fantastic squad together.

"I don't think people realise how hard his job has been.

"Everyone thinks it is just football but it is very difficult and it is a credit to him where we are at the moment."