Terry Butcher is the man for Rangers Board

Ibrox money men want Butcher as Gers boss but Mike Ashley calls the shots.

It has been the guessing game within a guessing game. Just as the future of Ally McCoist has been the subject of endless debate, so fans have speculated who will be his successor.

And as the first issue edges closer to resolution with action expected after Monday’s AGM, The Sunday Post understands that Ibrox legend Terry Butcher has emerged as some members of the Board’s candidate of choice to replace him.

The 55-year-old Englishman is not the bookies’ favourite from a list of candidates which would include Stuart McCall, Billy Davies and Dennis Wise.

Sacked by Hibs in the summer following the Edinburgh club’s relegation to the Championship, he has not worked since but is thought to also be on St Mirren’s shortlist for their vacant manager’s position.

His departure from Easter Road was so traumatic, he suggested afterwards that it signalled an end to his long relationship with the Scottish game.

But it is the reputation he built up during that time, as manager first of Motherwell then of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, that has attracted support that he is the one to rescue a season that has lurched from one disaster to another.

That and the part he played in the Souness Revolution at Ibrox. His status as an England icon also cannot be underestimated.

Butcher played in three World Cups for England, skippering the country and picking up a total of 77 caps.

The image of his head bound by a bloodied bandage is one of the great football photographs of modern times.

Yet while the directors can be sure their selection will be a popular one with most of the support, the timing remains uncertain.

Even now, following Ally McCoist’s decision to hand in his notice, the exact subject of his departure is yet to be determined.

While the man himself insists he is ready, willing and able to see out the whole 12 months, common sense dictates he will be away far sooner.

The Board might not be prepared to settle the £750,000 balance of his salary but the compromise figure of £400,000 is thought to be do-able.

Once Monday’s AGM is out of the way, negotiations are likely to begin in earnest.