Walter Smith and Ally McCoist have been described as the dream team to get Rangers into the top flight.

That is the view of former Ibrox No.2 Archie Knox as the Light Blues gear up for the new season.

Smith was installed as non-executive chairman of the club at the end of May while McCoist showed tremendous resilience to claim the Third Division title last time out.

"There could not have been a better candidate for Rangers to install as chairman and to entrust such a vital role to than Walter Smith. I think with Ally as manager and now Walter as chairman, Rangers have the perfect combination to help them continue their climb back up the Scottish game," said Knox, who was assistant to Smith during the nine-in-a-row era.

"The great thing for Ally is he has someone he knows so well, trusts and respects completely, as a sounding board and a source of advice."

Knox and Smith guided Gers to unprecedented success and six league titles over seven years during what was arguably the club's golden era in the modern game.

In July 1998 the duo moved south to Everton where they remained in harness for four years, and Knox reckons his former manager will remain in the Rangers background ever ready to offer McCoist a sounding board should he need it.

He said: "The great thing about Walter is that he will let Ally get on with things. But Ally will know that if he needs him Walter's door will always be open.

"You have two men who are steeped in the history of Rangers and only have the club's best interests at heart and that is fantastic for all at Rangers.

"It is a combination that will galvanise the support and one which I am sure will take Rangers back to where they belong and do it in the correct manner."

Meanwhile, McCoist has added former strike partner Gordon Durie to his backroom team.

Jukebox was forced to stand down from his position as East Fife boss due to ill health but will now return to the game to work with the Light Blues' youth squads.

McCoist said: "Everybody got a bit of a fright when Gordon was unwell not so long ago but thankfully he has been given the all-clear and he's in fine fettle.

"He's coming in to take the Under-20s and the reserves with Kirky (Billy Kirkwood) and hopefully with the numbers we'll have, we can get some games arranged against quality opposition."