Rangers supporters have been drowning their sorrows in the Transfer Tavern in recent times such has been the Gers’ indifferent run of form, and their mood didn’t improve much on Wednesday after seeing the Scottish giants only draw 1-1 at home to Kilmarnock.

Pedro Caixinha’s men went into their Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox having lost 2-0 to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals at the weekend, thus bringing to an end their hopes of getting their hands on the trophy for the first time since the 2010/11 season. And things haven’t improved in the league either as Rangers were held by Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, with Jason Holt’s first half strike cancelled out by Chris Burke’s 95th minute equaliser to see Caixinha’s side fall to fourth in the division and eight points adrift of leaders Celtic.

Thus, several of our resident Rangers fans have been particularly frustrated and angry in the Tavern this week, and their tricky run of form has brought about the end of manager Caixinha, who was relieved of his duties on Thursday afternoon.

The 46-year-old took over at Ibrox in March but has overseen a slow start to the 2017/18 campaign, in which they have won just five of ten Scottish Premiership games, and succumbed in the Europa League at the hands of Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.

And with Caixinha having lost his job at Ibrox, attentions are turning to who will come in as his replacement, and as such we have identified THREE names who could become the next Rangers manager…

Kenny Miller

A Rangers legend who is still producing the goods on the pitch, but striker Kenny Miller is currently one of the bookies’ favourite to replace Caixinha in the Ibrox hotseat.

The 37-year-old has played 250 times for the Gers in three separate spells over the last 17 years, in which time he has helped them to three Scottish Premiership titles, a Scottish Cup, a Scottish League Cup, and indeed promotion back to the top-flight in 2016.

It would be his first managerial role which is always somewhat of a risk, but his knowledge of the club and fresh ideas could be exactly what Rangers need to get out of their current plight, and to start bridging the gap to Celtic.

Alex Neil

Preston North End manager Alex Neil spent much of his playing career north of the border with Airdrieonians and Hamilton, and has in recent years embarked on a managerial career which has already seen him manage at Premier League level.

The 36-year-old was player-manager at Hamilton between 2013 and 2015 and helped them win promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2014, hard work which was recognised by Norwich City, with whom he led to the Premier League via the play-offs in his first season in 2015.

And although he lost his job in March of this year, Neil has made a wonderful start at Preston since being appointed manager during the summer, having led the Lilywhites to eighth place in the Championship with five wins and just two defeats from their opening 13 games.

He is certainly enhancing his reputation at Deepdale, and could be the man the Rangers hierarchy turn to should they relieve Caixinha of his duties.

Alan Pardew

Former Newcastle United and West Ham manager Alan Pardew has been out of work since losing his job at Crystal Palace last December, but certainly possesses a managerial CV the Rangers hierarchy should take a look at.

The 56-year-old led Newcastle to fifth place in the Premier League back in 2012 and twice reached the FA Cup final with West Ham in 2006 and then Palace a decade later, but more importantly the Englishman would go in there and make an instant impact, such is his record at previous clubs.

Being Rangers manager demands that given their recent struggles, and having done well at Newcastle and indeed West Ham, when the pressure is always on, those experiences could serve him well should he move north of the border.