DEREK FERGUSON is not in the business of touting wee brother Barry for a job back at Rangers.

But neither would he rule out his kith and kin making a contribution at the club they both love between now and the end of the season.

And if not him then someone else with a genuine Rangers background.

Ferguson is not saying any random ex-player should be made manager, his first choice as caretaker is Alex McLeish, but he would like the board to ask someone who knows Rangers to, at the very least, be in and around the dressing room.

There are precious few at Ibrox at the moment with a long history with Rangers.

Asked about whether Ferguson junior, who quit Clyde this week, could offer something, the former midfielder turned radio pundit said: "Why not? But not just him – there are a number of ex-Rangers players who’ve dipped their toes into management and who could be brought into the set-up at Auchenhowie.

“I’d be happy to help out in some capacity. So would John Brown, Colin Hendry, Alex Rae, Marvin Andrews, Gordon Durie and countless others.

“They could all bring something to the table so why wouldn’t you have them involved? Other clubs do it, with former players helping to run their academies.

“Rangers don’t have that and it bemuses me. Why not? Is it because people would feel threatened by them? Their experience is invaluable – you can’t buy that – so get them in.”

Of course, the Ally McCoist experiment didn't work. Ian Durrant is also not there any more. So is this the best way forward?

Ferguson said: "There were a lot of restraints on Coisty at the time. For whatever reason it never worked, but that was Ally’s first gig in management.

"He’d been a no, but it is a totally different ball game when you are there, under pressure and making the decisions.

"There are some guys that have dipped their toe into management: John’s been there, Colin Hendry’s been there. Loads of other guys.

"I’m not saying they should be manager – but to be in and about the club."

And there is one former player who Ferguson would love to see return. Not as a cheerleader, but as the main man and not a temporary solution.

“Aberdeen are nine points ahead in second right now,” said Ferguson. “Fair play to Derek McInnes and his squad of players. They have got the bit between their teeth.

“They have sensed a vulnerability at Rangers and they’ve grasped it. The beauty of Derek’s teams is they can play a variety of different styles within his squad. It’s good management. It’s going away from home and grinding out a result.

“He’s proved himself. He’s a good manager and a leader. He ticks all the boxes. The Aberdeen supporters like him and so do the players but you get the impression that he’s a guy you wouldn’t mess about.

“Maybe that’s what Rangers could be doing with. Of course, it would take money and we don’t know if that’s going to happen; they might go down another route.”

Ferguson is clearly frustrated at what is going on at the club he played for and his brother captained.

It is, to use his word, a mess and he’s not convinced by the noises coming out of Ibrox about how things are to be sorted out.

“I’m not so sure about this director of football thing – it’s about getting in the right people,” said Ferguson. “Maybe I’m a dinosaur but I think you should appoint the right manager with good people around him.

“That’s not just players but coaches. Look at Brendan Rodgers – does he need a director of football? Does Derek McInnes? They’re first and second in the league.

“It seems to be the in thing and it works for certain clubs but I’m not sure it would work for Rangers.

“But they should have brought somebody in as temporary manager just to steady the ship, nail down second place and maybe give them an outside chance of winning the Scottish Cup.”

Ferguson has come to the conclusion that Mark Warburton's replacement isn't going to walk up the marble staircase any time soon.

And if Rangers are looking at someone to come in for a few months, then there is a ready made candidate out there..

Ferguson said: "You need to get guys who have been there and done it. I was asked a question and thought Alex McLeish would have been perfect.

"Even with a view, if he did pretty well, to taking the job on a bit longer.

"I’m amazed they are just letting it go.

"At the start of the season Dave King said they wanted second place – doesn’t look like it at the minute."

And the Celtic game is looming.

There is a school of thought that the Rangers board do not want any new man in charge for an afternoon which might be prove to be a long one.

However, Ferguson said: "They have to go to Celtic Park without fear. They have to meet the challenge head on.

"Celtic look formidable. Are Rangers going to win the Scottish Cup the way they are under Murty? I don’t think so.

"It alarmed me when he came out and said he didn’t fancy the Old Firm game at Parkhead or was dreading it – that’s not what you want to hear.

"You have to keep going in day in and day out and offering positive messages to those players. Telling them they are brilliant players. Even though they may not be.

"But when he comes out with that quote what does that tell you? The Celtic players will know that – they will relish that.

"So already there is a negative there with this big game coming up. Even before the Scottish Cup."