WHEN Ally McCoist was appointed Walter Smith's successor as Rangers manager, he quipped it was like 'taking the microphone from Frank Sinatra'.

The task that stood before Charles Green this summer was perhaps an even greater challenge, with the new Gers chief executive entering Ibrox just weeks after Craig Whyte had scampered, leaving a trail of destruction and anger in his wake.

McCoist has had little to sing about since taking over the Ibrox hotseat but his job has surely been made easier by Green's new-found popularity with the Light Blue legions as the pair have helped haul Rangers back from the abyss and restore a feel-good factor in Govan.

The Whyte era will continue to scar Rangers for the foreseeable future but after the most tumultuous 12 months in their 140-year history, the club have their sights firmly set on the top of Scottish football once again, with Green and McCoist leading the way.

The Englishman has had many hurdles to overcome in a bid to convince a rightly discerning fanbase after taking control at Ibrox, however he now appears to be winning the popularity battle, with supporters giving him an approving cheer at Sunday's Irn-Bru Third Division win over Elgin City.

Sandy Jardine had to live through the hell of the disastrous Whyte reign but the Ibrox legend reckons Green has done enough to appease the sceptics.

"After Craig Whyte, everybody was going to be apprehensive about who was going to take over our club," Jardine told SportTimes.

"Charles had to start to break down that barrier. I think he has achieved that and he has done a lot of great things.

"After what happened with Craig Whyte, everyone will always be guarded at our club for what he did. Charles has made a great start.

"The supporters have embraced him and every game we play just now is like a carnival.

"We, as a club, were decapitated in many ways, all our senior management and directors left the club. Ally stepped into the breach when he needed to and did a fantastic job."

The Ibrox roar which greeted Green on Sunday was joined by five more as McCoist's side eased to a 5-1 victory over Elgin to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Results and performances may not have always been at the level which Rangers expect but there has been a vitality about the club in recent weeks as they start on the long road back to the highest echelons of the Scottish game. Jardine admits the Gers are loving life in the Scottish Football League.

He said: "It is just great to be back playing football after the turmoil of the close season.

"The games at Ibrox so far have been great, the supporters have been nothing short of fantastic. We are really looking forward to the rest of the season.

"You have to say that everybody at Rangers – the management staff, players and supporters – have been very, very hard done by the SFA and SPL.

"I will tell you one thing, the SFL clubs have been very welcoming. It has been a carnival atmosphere, there has been a freshness from the governing body and from all the teams.

"Every Scottish Football League team we have played against so far have been so welcoming. It has been a breath of fresh air.

"In many ways, it is like Rangers sparkling gold dust because they have all gained out of it financially as well."

Rangers' fight for survival and lengthy battles with those in the corridors of power at Hampden in recent months have rallied the Ibrox crowd and spurred them into action.

After McCoist gave his backing to Green's vision for the future, fans flocked to confirm their commitment to the cause as demand for season tickets reached fever pitch.

Ibrox has been packed as supporters have shown their loyalty to their club and Jardine insists he never doubted that the Rangers fans would return in their droves.

The Ibrox icon said: "The supporters have turned up in great numbers.

"The games have been like European nights, there have been fantastic atmospheres and the fans have been brilliant.

"We are already past 35,000 season tickets and we are still selling more. It has been terrific.

"I never had a doubt about the fans' loyalty. As soon as we went into administration, our gates went up and the backing we got from the supporters was absolutely fantastic.

"I never had any doubt that when the season started and we got our licence from the SFA that they would turn up in great numbers. They have not disappointed anybody."

It is not just supporters who have bought into Green and McCoist's blueprint for success, with the Gers boss convincing some of Scotland's top stars to drop down to our lowest league.

Ian Black, Dean Shiels, Kevin Kyle, Fran Sandaza and David Templeton all turned their back on the SPL this summer, grabbing the chance to pull on the famous jersey.

Jardine said: "That is one thing I can't understand, people saying, 'why do they want to sign for Rangers in the Third Division?'.

"Why not? You have got the best stadium in Scotland, the best training ground in Scotland, the best supporters in Scotland and the best crowds in Scotland. It is a no-brainer."