IAN DURRANT reckons Ally McCoist will emerge stronger from his turbulent reign as Rangers boss – but is unsure whether he will return to the dugout in the future.

The Ibrox legend formally severed his ties with the club last week after concluding a deal with chairman Dave King that ended his gardening leave.

McCoist became a figurehead for players, staff and fans to rally round during Rangers’ off-field problems before leading his side to the Third Division and League One titles.

King last week insisted McCoist would be welcomed back to Rangers at any time and that his failed Championship title challenge, and the fact he continued to receive a wage for several months, should not be held against him by supporters.

And his former team-mate and colleague Durrant would be pleased to see him back at Ibrox in the future.

He said: “That will be down to Ally. I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet.

“I read that when he spoke to Mr King last week it was all done in a minute. That’s two proper men coming together to come to an agreement.

“It shows that this is the proper Rangers way.

“I’d be delighted if Ally came back. I’m his best friend but it will be purely down to Ally when he thinks the time is right.

“I hope [people recognise when he did for the club]. A lot of the stuff you hear is annoying but Ally will come out a stronger person for what happened over the three years.

“He’s a big boy and can handle it. What lies ahead for him, only Ally knows but he’ll come up with something.”

Having reached a settlement with Rangers, McCoist is now free to take up other job opportunities on the touchline and look to rebuild his career as a manager should he wish.

It is a return to television that is likely to be his next port of call, however, and Durrant hopes the 52-year-old’s reputation can be restored.

He said: “I honestly don’t know [if he will get back into football].

“He’s never mentioned getting back into football but if the opportunity comes up that he feels is right for him and his family he might go for it.

“The stuff that will be tainted will be the last six months because the team as a group failed to get promotion.

“That wee bit will be remembered more than anything else but you can’t take away what he did for the club. That will never be taken away.

“I’d like to see all the good stuff coming out, but the other side of it is part and parcel of being at a big club like Rangers or Celtic. You have to dig in, muck in and take what is given.”