EXCLUSIVE: Rangers line up manager alternative to McInnes

Rangers have made Derek McInnes their No 1 target to replace the sacked Pedro Caixinha – but TEAMtalk has been told they must pay them £1million in compensation.

The former West Brom midfielder has been in charge of Aberdeen since 2013 and has done a fine job at Pittodrie, having steered the club to second place in the SPFL last season and boasting a win percentage record of 57.5% since taking the reins.

McInnes was a target for Sunderland over the summer as they sought a replacement for David Moyes, before he had a late change of heart and opted to stay with the Dons. The Black Cats eventually settled on Simon Grayson.

But TEAMtalk has learnt that Aberdeen will demand a far heftier compensation package for McInnes from Rangers, with club bosses at Ibrox currently locked in talks over whether to pursue a deal for the former Bristol City boss.

Furthermore, sources have told us that the Light Blues have shortlisted former Rangers star Stuart McCall as their preferred alternative to McInnes.

Stuart McCall: Back at Bradford

McCall was appointed Bradford boss in the summer of 2015 and guided the Bantams to the League 1 play-off final last season, where they were beaten by Millwall. City are currently third in the table and it’s understood Rangers are impressed with the way the former Scotland midfielder has engineered a promotion challenge on a small budget at Valley Parade.