Rangers hero Barry Ferguson has backed Yokohama F.Marinos boss Kevin Muscat for the vacant managerial role at Ibrox.

The Australian is heavily linked with the role, along with former Club Brugge and Monaco head coach Phillipe Clement.

And Ferguson feels his former team-mate Muscat is the man for the job. Writing in his Daily Record column, he said: "The club needs stability right now. There’s been too many changes in the dugout these past few years.

"If you include caretakers, we’re now on to eight bosses in the past seven years - that’s not the Rangers I grew up supporting.

"I like the fact they’re not rushing into a decision but the board can’t wait forever because I’m not ready to write this season off just yet.

"There’s still plenty to play for - the team is still in four competitions after all! The Viaplay Cup is the first target and what a boost that would give the new gaffer if he could lead the side past Hearts in the semi-final and put that first trophy in the cabinet.

"And what a job it is to take over. Yes the team is down by seven points in the league but this is still one of the biggest clubs in the world, with 50,000 fans cheering you on every second week.

READ MORE: Rangers manager: Kevin Muscat and Phillippe Clement's style of play

"There’s 30 games remaining so there’s no reason why that can’t be turned around. But the new man has to get it right, of that there’s no doubt.

"Obviously, of the two contenders, I know Musscy [Muscat] better having played alongside him during his 12-month stay in Glasgow."

Ferguson also reckons that Muscat has an unfair reputation and that his work as a manager so far speaks for itself.

The 50-year-old lifted the J1 League title last season and the ex-Ibrox captain feels Muscat is ready to make the step up.

"There’s a false impression about Kev floating around," he continued.  "I’ve heard folk say he’s inexperienced but he’s been managing for more than a decade now and has worked in three different countries.

"Things might not have gone so well for him in Belgium but he’s done really good things in both Australia and Japan, just as Ange Postecoglou did.

"I take the view that he’s done his apprenticeship and his next step could very well be a move to Glasgow.

"Yes the demands at Rangers will be far higher than anything he’s gone through before but he’ll know that fine well having played for the club before.

"He was strong and robust as a player - and I don’t just mean in the tackle!"