RANGERS legend Derek Johnstone reckons Sam Allardyce is the man the Ibrox board should approach to succeed Pedro Caixinha as manager.

The Portuguese was relieved of his Light Blues duties on Thursday just hours after seeing his side held to a 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock.

Now the Gers board have started their search for their third boss in three seasons following the failed tenures of Mark Warburton and Caixinha.

Read more: Chris Jack: The Rangers board have got one big call right - now they have to get another one correct

The likes of Derek McInnes, Alex McLeish and Tommy Wright have been touted for the job but Johnstone believes Allardyce could prove to be the right man for Dave King and his board.

DJ told SportTimes: “They can’t go for someone who has been working in South America or the Middle East.

“They have got to look nearer to home. I’m not saying that is a Scotsman, but they need a British manager.

“Someone like Sam Allardyce would be a great choice for Rangers and he is someone that gets the best out of players.

“He has never been with a club like Rangers and he is the type of manager that Rangers need. He knows a player and he knows the game.

“The board need help to get this one right. If they get it wrong again then the fingers will be pointed at them.

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“They can’t just dive in and get the next man through the door. They have to take their time, narrow the list down, interview the shortlist and then make sure the man they pick is the right one for the job.

“There will be plenty of people interested in this job and this decision can’t come down to one man, we need everyone to come together on this one.

“You speak to the likes of John Greig, Walter Smith and Richard Gough, to John Brown and Mark Hateley, you get as many opinions and as much insight as possible.

“The directors haven’t played the game so when you have people with that kind of experience in football available to you it makes sense to use it to your advantage. It is about getting guidance, not having the number one candidate picked for you.”

The draw with Killie on Wednesday night came days after the Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Motherwell that piled the pressure on Caixinha’s shoulders.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Rangers board had no option but to sack Pedro Caixinha because results spoke for themselves

And Barca Bear Johnstone knows the board must get the next appointment right as Rangers look to recover from another tumultuous period on the park.

He said: “The directors are Rangers men. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right people for the job.

“But, for me, I want people in there that know what this club is about and what to do the best thing for Rangers.

“They are all good businessmen and I think they are the right people to take this club forward. But this decision has to be the right one.

“Mark Allen has come in as Director of Football from Manchester City and he will be a key player for Rangers now in terms of recruitment and the search for the manager.

“The overwhelming majority of the fans were delighted when Dave King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan took over the club.

“Like loads of other clubs, the board have chosen the wrong manager. Now they must prove that they have learned from that.”