Graeme Souness' Rangers checklist before playing kingmaker as 2 points must be ticked off to end boss waiting game

Graeme Souness is playing a key advisory role in Rangers search for a new boss - and he has dropped a strong clue on the demands he will be placing on Michael Beale's successor.

Chairman John Bennett and chief executive James Bisgrove have been leading the hunt for a new boss with the search narrowing to Yokohama F Marinos boss Kevin Muscat or former Club Brugge and Monaco boss Philippe Clement. Ibrox icon Souness has been acting as an advisor to the board as they look to get the big call right before the end of the international break.

The Light Blues will be back in Scottish Premiership action against Hibs on October 21 with fans keen to see the new boss in the dugout before the clash against the side from Easter Road. And while Record Sport understands Rangers decision-makers are looking to avoid rushing into an appointment, Souness has already dropped a hint on his personal requirements for either Muscat or Clement.

Writing for the Daily Mail after Beale was shown the door with 2 key must-haves for the next man at the helm - an eye for recruitment and the "big" personality needed for the vacant post. Souness said: "In hindsight, it was an enormous ask for Michael Beale, a rookie manager, to take over at a giant club like Rangers.

"It went well for me in Glasgow, though it was the most difficult job I had in 20 years of management because of the expectation levels, the pressures and the unyielding spotlight. Getting recruitment right is the top priority for any boss but unfortunately for Michael, his signings haven't turned up yet this season.

"Rangers and Celtic are operating with TV incomes of around £3million, while playing to full houses of around 60,000. I live on the south coast, where Bournemouth get