DAVE KING will return to Glasgow early next week to kick-start the Rangers rebuilding job - with the appointment of a manager top of his Light Blue to-do list.

 

The South Africa-based businessman was confirmed as Ibrox chairman last month after being passed fit and proper by the Scottish Football Association and is now poised to get down to work ahead of what will be a defining summer on and off the park for the Gers.

Almost a week has now passed since Rangers were consigned to another season in the Championship next term but there is still uncertainty over who will lead the club in the second tier.

Stuart McCall confirmed his interest in remaining in the job in the aftermath of the defeat to Motherwell last weekend while former Brentford boss Mark Warburton has held talks with the Ibrox board over a move that could see David Weir return to Rangers.

Olympiakos boss Vitor Pereira was also on the board's radar and held discussions on a recent trip to Glasgow over a deal that could have included a position for former Light Blues midfielder Pedro Mendes.

While it is understood that he was impressed by the club, the potential move fell through early this week.

But the Portuguese now faces a fight to retain his job in Greece after the Olympiakos board took a dim view of his interest in a move to Ibrox this summer.

If Pereira is sacked by Olympiakos, the door could open for Rangers to make another move to entice him to Scotland, while Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has also been linked with the top Gers job.

But, with the clock ticking to Rangers' first competitive match of the 2015/16 campaign on July 25, time is of the essence for the board ahead of King's return in the coming days.

And SportTimes understands those close to King feel the situation is so critical that it could require the return of Walter Smith for a third spell as manager this summer.

The 67-year-old stepped down as boss four years ago and as chairman in August 2013 and has previously moved to distance himself from any formal role at Ibrox once again.

But the idea of a move to bring Smith back to the club could be put to the board if they are unable to make an appointment sooner rather than later.

The contracts of more than a dozen first team players expired this week and the club have yet to announce plans for their pre-season schedule or make moves to bring in much-needed reinforcements ahead of their second campaign in the Championship.

There are also key roles to be filled off the park, with a new chief executive still to be installed at Ibrox, despite the departures of Derek Llambias and finance director Barry Leach a fortnight ago.

King has yet to present his blueprint for the future to supporters but he will look to get the fans onside as quickly as possible as Rangers prepare to unveil their season ticket price structure.

On Friday, the board will attempt to fend off a move from Mike Ashley as the businessmen looks to force through the repayment of his £5million loan, seeks clarity on the agreement struck with the Three Bears consortium and reasons for the de-listing of Rangers International Football Club plc from the AIM stock exchange in April.

But it is the appointment of a new boss that will dominate the Ibrox agenda in the coming days as King and Co. bid to finally get the ball rolling on their plans for the future and start rebuilding the club from top to bottom.