RANGERS managing director Stewart Robertson claims the Ibrox outfit already have their eye on a number of managerial candidates – and insists they will go for someone with the wow factor.
Gers are on the look out for a new boss following Mark Warburton's surprise exit last week.
Former manager Alex McLeish remains the favourite to land the job on an interim basis, with the likes of Derek McInnes, Tommy Wright, Billy Davies and Frank de Boer also among those being tipped by bookmakers.
But Robertson insists Light Blues chiefs have been monitoring potential replacements even before Warburton's shambolic departure on Friday.
Robertson – who has also confirmed chairman Dave King has given the go ahead for the club to appoint a director of football – told the club's official website: "We are continually looking at potential managers for the club.
"At a club of this size, it would be foolish to not be looking at your succession planning as you would in any other business for your key positions.
"We already have a database of potential names that we are aware of and who we have done some diligence on already.
"We've been inundated with lots of people already sending us applications for the position. We are sifting through those applications and then we will draw up a shortlist and look to interview."
But the Gers chief admits the successful candidate will have to possess a wow factor.
"I think we need a strong character, with a strong mentality," he said. "Someone who understands and gets what Rangers is all about.
"Whoever comes in is going to get the backing, there will be financial resources in terms of taking the club forward.
"But most of all we need someone who is a winner and someone who gets what this is all about and what Rangers is all about, which is winning. We are looking for the highest calibre possible, a club of this standing deserves the highest quality of manager.
"We need someone with character and someone who can work under the pressures that they will face working at Rangers.
"There is a lot of expectation at this club and a lot is demanded of you as the manager of Rangers Football Club and it needs a special kind of individual to work under those conditions.
"He'll get great support from the board and the supporters will get behind them. We are looking for a top guy to achieve our plan to take the club right back to the top."
U20's coach Graeme Murty was placed in charge for Sunday's 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Morton and Robertson said he will likely to be in charge again when the Glasgow giants head to Dundee next weekend, with the Gers board refusing to rush their search.
The MD said: "Ideally you would get your permanent manager in place from day one.
"It may be that due to circumstances that's not possible until the summer, in which case we need to look at filling the role in an interim basis.
"However, it is our objective to try and get someone permanent in place from day one.
"We have a very capable interim manager in Graeme Murty, who has risen to the challenge fantastically well so far and we will run with that for the foreseeable future."
Robertson also confirmed Gers would look to copy the model currently being utilised by Hearts, where director of football Craig Levein overseas the entire football department, leaving head coach Ian Cathro to concentrate on shaping the first team.
He said: "We are also looking at a Director of Football role and that will be a key appointment for the structure of the club.
"We have a very clear plan for how we are going to take this football club forward.
"It needs to be a modern football club, we want to bring back the days where we are adding to the collection of trophies that we have here.
"From a supporters' perspective, they can take some comfort from the fact that there is a plan in place and that there could be the odd time that you have to take a step back in order to achieve your plan, but we have very clear goals for where we want this football club to get back to."
