DEREK JOHNSTONE reckons Ally McCoist will be relieved to no longer be Rangers manager after he left the club last night.

 

The Ibrox legend will see out the remaining twelve months of his contract on gardening leave, with Saturday's Championship win over Livingston proving to be his final game in charge.

McCoist shocked Scottish football when it was revealed last week that he had handed in his notice at Rangers but repeatedly stated his desire to remain in position for the next year.

He has now been relieved of his first team duties and DJ hopes there is a weight off his shoulders after a turbulent Ibrox tenure.

He said: "It hasn't surprised me. Once Ally handed in his notice he put the ball in the court of the directors.

"He was going to be there for the maximum time of a year and it was up to the board to get rid of him now, in the summer or next December.

"We knew he was meeting with the board ahead of the AGM and they have thrashed out a deal and put him on gardening leave.

"I listen to him on Friday and I think it was a load off his mind when he handed in his notice.

"He was smiling, he looked more refreshed and at the game on Saturday you could see he was more relaxed.

"The fans around him were laughing with him. They realise that Ally McCoist is not the problem with Rangers.

"They might not like the way he was managing, that is their opinion. But it is deeper rooted what is wrong with Rangers Football Club.

"I think it will be a relief for him. He was always thinking about his family and he didn't like the way things were happening on and off the park so it will be a relief to him."