BARRY FERGUSON has backed Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes to become the next permanent Rangers manager and insists the Ibrox club are right to be patient in making an appointment.

Mark Warburton departed the club two weeks ago and is yet to be replaced, with Under-20s boss Graeme Murty taking charge of the senior side on an interim basis.

Former Light Blues captain Ferguson believes that the Dons manager would be the perfect fit for the role at the end of the season after taking his side nine points clear of Rangers in the battle for second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Read more: Former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson admits he’s not ready to manage Rangers​

"I don't think an Alex McLeish or a Billy Davies would come in and take it short term," he told BBC Sportsound.

"I think they would want a guarantee that it would be a bit longer. I think it's important they just take their time and get the right guy.

"The guy for me [would be] Derek McInnes. But they are not going to get Derek probably until the end of the season."He's the perfect guy for the job. He's done an unbelievable job up at Aberdeen and he suits Rangers down to a tee.

"He knows the club. He's a good manager. Him and 'Doc' [Dons assistant boss Tony Docherty] have done a great job up there."