SONE ALUKO today backed Ally McCoist to help sell Rangers to a preferred bidder – and ensure the stricken Ibrox club avoid going into liquidation.

Aluko is delighted Gers manager McCoist is taking such an active role in ongoing negotiations with potential owners.

The Light Blues gaffer has spoken to two of the three groups – Paul Murray of the Blue Knights consortium and American investor Bill Miller – to have tabled offers about the club. In addition, the legendary striker has held talks with multi-millionaire Scottish businessman Brian Kennedy, who is monitoring proceedings closely, on several occasions.

Winger Aluko, man of the match in the 3-1 win over St Mirren in the SPL game at Ibrox on Saturday, is confident his gaffer can help Rangers emerge from their current crisis.

He said: "I am glad we have Ally at the forefront of our fight for survival at the moment. He is well respected as the manager and the fans are all firmly behind him.

"He has handled himself very well, conducted himself with complete professionalism, throughout the whole administration period. I am sure he will have a big part to play in what happens in the days to come."

Rangers administrators Paul Clark and David Whitehouse are both currently examining each of the offers and are set to name their preferred bidder in the coming days.

McCoist has revealed he spoke to Miller at length on Friday and is prepared to fly to the United States to meet him personally if he is singled out by Duff and Phelps this week.

Aluko added: "I'm sure it isn't easy for a manager to go through this kind of thing, especially when it is the first season of your first job. But he has done very well and managed to keep team spirit high.

"I am sure he will have a big part to play in the future of the club in the days to come when the administrators identify the preferred bidder and I am sure he will do a good job."

Aluko has been linked with a move out of Gers in recent days to Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.

However, the Nigeria international, who is only contracted to the Gers until the summer, said: "Our job is to win games on the field and we have to concentrate fully on doing that.

"Hopefully, other people will do everything they can to help the club off the park."