After seeing their side struggle of late, the Rangers fans propping up the bar in the Transfer Tavern are discussing what exactly needs to be done at Ibrox to close the gap on bitter rivals at Celtic at the summit of Scottish football.

While it was always likely to be difficult to truly compete with the Bhoys, the fact the Gers are 27 points off the pace in the title race (more a light jog now) simply isn’t good enough for many of our drinkers. Mark Warburton performances in the big games, aside from the Scottish Cup semi-final win against the Hoops last term, hasn’t put him in good stead amongst those in the Tavern.

With that in mind, many of them have been casting their minds over potential replacements for the former Brentford coach, one to restore a winning mentality at the club and break out of Brendan Rodgers’ shadow.

So, considering all of this, here are THREE ideal replacements for Warburton at Ibrox.

Alex McLeish

Since leaving the Gers, Alex McLeish’s career has taken a rather downward trajectory, aside from a League Cup win in charge of Birmingham City.

However, he proved a successful manager at Ibrox and certainly knows what it takes to compete in the SPFL, while also boasting experience in Europe and even further afield.

Would be an emotional return.

Derek McInnes

Now, this would be a hugely controversial move, considering the bitter rivalry between the Gers and Aberdeen, where Derek McInnes currently manages.

Still, the 45-year-old has previous at Ibrox, playing there for five years until 2000, and has certainly decent job on a reasonably limited budget at Pittodrie. Would certainly be a statement of intent.

Gary Rowett

Sacked at Birmingham for reasons that are not yet abundantly clear, Gary Rowett is a burgeoning young manager with a great reputation thanks to spells in the second city, as well as Burton Albion.

Perhaps offering him the chance to develop both himself at a club of this magnitude, as well as the Gers in his energetic style, could help keep up with progressive Brendan Rodgers just across Glasgow’s city centre.