Charlie Nicholas believes Walter Smith should be Rangers assistant

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Rangers are reportedly in talks with Steven Gerrard over the manager’s role at Ibrox.

Former Celtic midfielder Charlie Nicholas has claimed in his Daily Express column that Walter Smith would be Steven Gerrard’s perfect assistant manager at Rangers.

The Sun claim Rangers are in talks with 37-year-old Gerrard about becoming the new Rangers manager, with Graeme Murty’s future at the club in doubt.

Reports have suggested that if Gerrard is appointed as Ibrox manager, then he will choose 59-time Scotland international Gary McAllister as his assistant.

But Sky Sports pundit Nicholas believes Gerrard will need an “experienced coach” alongside him and believes former Rangers boss Smith is the ideal candidate to partner the Liverpool legend at Ibrox.

“When [Graeme] Souness landed the Rangers job I was with him in Mexico as part of Scotland’s World Cup squad,” Nicholas said.

“As a Celtic man I told him not to take it and then I quickly realised that he was going to have Walter Smith, who was part of Scotland’s coaching set-up, as his right-hand man and knew he had a great chance of being successful.

“If Gerrard came in then he would need an experienced coach like Smith to help him.”

Gerrard is currently in control of Liverpool’s Under-18 side, after retiring from professional football in 2016 following a short stint in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Murty remains in control until the end of the season but is now considered doubtful to take the job on a full-time basis beyond the end of the 2017-18 season.

Smith, 70, has managed Rangers on two occasions. His first spell came between 1991 and 1998, before returning to Ibrox in 2007 for another four years. He has orchestrated 10 league wins, five Scottish Cups and six League cups.