RANGERS are closing in on at least one key appointment to their coaching staff this week - but that man won't be Barry Ferguson.

The 39-year-old, who played his part in five Scottish top flight titles during his two spells at the club, resigned from Clyde this weekend, with bookmakers instantly installing him as favourite to return to the club for a third time in a coaching capacity.

Sport Times understands, though, that the former midfielder is not being considered for any role in the new structure at Ibrox.

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One win in seven games has focused minds at Rangers for the need to move swiftly and the first piece in the jigsaw, the club's director of football, should be appointed in the next seven days. The picture should become clearer when Ross Wilson, currently Southampton's director of scouting and recruitment, confirms to the club whether he is minded to accept the position.

The 34-year-old, reportedly the club's top choice for the role, is thought to have requested until after today's EPL Cup final before giving his answer.

Other names linked with this key position dictating the strategy club include Paul Mitchell, who is currently working his notice at White Hart Lane after growing weary of working alongside Daniel Levy, although he may be out of the club's reach, and Stuart Webber, the man who has masterminded Huddersfield's unlikely bid to reach the Barclays Premier League.

John Park, who left a similar role at Celtic after nine years in October, and Alex McLeish could also be under consideration. While the director of football's say will also be crucial in the appointment of a new head coach, the club have also embarked upon that recruitment process too.

While Rangers supporters were immediately divided about the idea of Ferguson returning on an interim basis in an attempt to improve the club's fortunes, the timing of his departure from Clyde was in fact entirely co-incidental.

The 39-year-old - who worked under Alex McLeish with Rangers, Scotland and Birmingham City - stepped down from the Broadwood side after a poor run of results which has left the Bully Wee, pre-season favourites to win League Two this season, no better than third from bottom.

Having gone ten league matches without a win, Ferguson offered his resignation following yesterday's 1-0 defeat to Annan Athletic and the board 'reluctantly' accepted it.

Read more: It's time for Rangers owner Dave King to get on a plane and show his face around Ibrox

"I want to wish the club all the very best in the future," said Ferguson yesterday. "I hope that it can go on and achieve its aim of reaching the play-offs this season."

"Despite a welcome run in the William Hill Scottish Cup, which ended with an agonising defeat to Championship side Ayr United in a fifth round replay," a Clyde statement read yesterday.

"Both the manager and the club were disappointed with the recent poor run of League results, often not reflecting the effort and standard of play, which culminated in the defeat at Annan yesterday. That result leaves the club with only an outside chance of achieving the objective of securing a play-off place and then promotion to League 1. The club would like to thank Barry for his unstinting commitment to the job over the last two and a half years and wishes him every success in the future."