BOTAFOGO manager Luis Castro has reportedly been contacted by Rangers.

It's claimed the Portuguese boss has emerged as a possible alternative in the Ibrox manager search.

Reports in Brazil claim Castro has been contacted as an option to take charge at Rangers should talks with Michael Beale fail.

Former Ibrox coach Beale has been the front-runner for the job since Giovanni van Bronckhorst was dismissed on Monday.

And he's been odds-on favourite to become the new Rangers manager from as early as Tuesday.

But, it has now been claimed that Castro has been eyed as an alternative for the Ibrox gig should Rangers fail to finalise a deal for Beale.

Goal journalist Raisa Simplício suggested initial contact has been made with the Botafogo manager but only as a backup option.

"Luís Castro, from Botafogo, was contacted by Rangers, from Scotland.

"The technician is an option if the negotiation with Michael Beale does not go through."

We reported that Beale is on the brink of an emotional return to Rangers however, with QPR set to lose their manager.

It's understood Rangers are keen to seal a deal to bring Beale back to Ibrox in the top job with the manager a popular figure for his work under Steven Gerrard.

Meanwhile, Barry Ferguson has warned Beale will face a major challenge should he sign-up to head back to Rangers.

And he offered his one piece of advice to Beale - show the "hunger and belief".

In the Daily Record, he said: "Michael Beale is certainly in pole position in what feels very much like a one man race so if - or when - his position is confirmed he has quite a challenge on his hands with the team already nine points off the pace at the top of the table.

"Here’s the one bit of advice I would give him. If you’re going to go down, then make sure you go down fighting.

"Because Rangers fans simply won’t accept anything less or any more excuses. Look, I realise winning the title this season is already a serious long shot.

"But if you don’t believe you can do it, then what’s the point in even taking the job in the first place?

"At the very least, he has to show the hunger and belief to try to claw that back between now and the turn of the year."

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