Appointing Michael O’Neill would surely hand ex-Rangers man Jimmy Nicholl a return to Ibrox

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Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill is being touted for the Rangers job.

Rangers are searching for a new manager – and The Telegraph report that they hold an interest in landing Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

The Gers sacked manager Pedro Caixinha last month after just seven months in the job, meaning the Ibrox club are searching for yet another new manager.

Whilst Graeme Murty has started his second caretaker stint well with two wins from two games, other managers are being linked with the job – and Michael O’Neill is one prominent name this week.

Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill (L) and assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl (R)

The Telegraph report that Rangers are monitoring O’Neill’s situation, given that the Northern Ireland boss is expected to leave his job after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup due to a play-off defeat to Switzerland.

O’Neill, 48, has worked wonders with Northern Ireland since taking the job in 2011, taking his country to the 2016 European Championships in France – but his limited club experience, with Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers, has some Gers fans concerned.

Bringing in somebody with links to Rangers is important to many fans after Caixinha’s failure, and any move for O’Neill would surely involve former Gers ace Jimmy Nicholl following him to Ibrox.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill (L) and assistant coach Jimmy Nicholl (2ndL)

Nicholl, 61, had two spells with Rangers in his playing days, and has served as O’Neill’s assistant manager for Northern Ireland since 2015, with a package deal for both men potentially appealing.

Nicholl only took a coaching job with Falkirk last month, but the chance to return to his former club and assist O’Neill at Ibrox would surely be too good to turn down, if a Rangers approach does arrive.

If O’Neill is tempted by the Rangers job, then he would surely take Nicholl with him, providing him with a knowledge of the Ibrox side, which may go some way to easing some of the fears of Rangers fans.