RANGERS might not be able to afford the compensation it would require to bring Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes to Ibrox, according to former captain Barry Ferguson.

The Dons boss has been touted as the man to replace Pedro Caixinha in the Light Blues hot seat since the Portuguese was sacked last month.

However, the Gers are yet to make a move for their Ladbrokes Premiership rivals’ boss and Graeme Murty remains in charge on an interim basis.

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And when asked by Betsafe if he thinks there is a chance Rangers can’t afford the compensation it would require to take the 46-year-old away from Pittodrie, Ferguson expressed concerns.

 “He signed a new contract over the summer somewhere in the region between £750,000 and £800,000,” he said.

“I don’t know if Rangers can afford that because they’ve had to pay off Pedro Caixinha and his staff. So that’s a worry.

“I think Derek is the obvious choice. He played here for a number of years, he won a number of trophies and he knows what Rangers is all about.

“So for me, he’s the man that Rangers need to get.”