Source: PA
Smith backing McCoist to take charge
Manager Walter Smith has declared Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall ready to take over Rangers as he ruled out extending his managerial career for another season.
Smith, 62, signed a one-year contract in May after budget talks with representatives of Lloyds Banking Group despite his intention to quit after winning a second successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.
The change of heart means assistant McCoist must wait another year before he has the opportunity to take over as expected.
Smith is confident the former Rangers striker, and first-team coach McDowall, will be ready to step up when he retires.
He told www.rangersfc.co.uk: "To be honest I thought last season was going to be my last but different circumstances meant that I had a change of mind. However, this will definitely be my last one. Hopefully it will be as successful as the previous seasons.
"I sincerely hope when this decision is made then they get the chance because I think everyone will agree that they deserve it. Alastair is an intelligent boy and he learned quickly about what makes a football team tick and the background. He has simply been waiting to take over and he is more than ready to do so now - never mind in a year's time."
