Graeme Souness reveals who he wanted as Rangers boss with legend 'close’ to emotional Ibrox return

Rangers legend Graeme Souness has revealed he had backed Frank Lampard to step into the Ibrox hotseat – and not Philippe Clement.

The Ibrox icon assisted chief executive James Bisgrove and chairman John Bennett in the appointment of new boss. And while he now looks set for a more permanent role within the club he lifted the lid on his talks with Rangers and the eventual appointment of Clement. He admitted while he was impressed by the Belgian, former Chelsea and Everton boss Lampard was his recommendation.

He said: “There were two outstanding candidates; Frank and Philippe. The final say wasn’t with me. For me, Frank had the edge because of this; Frank, I think, has still got a great deal to offer. Taking the Chelsea job when he did was always going to be very, very difficult. The Everton job is a basket case. And have they improved since Frank left? Not a bit. So, I wouldn’t be too critical of Frank. The thing that encouraged me about Frank is that he wanted to do it. He doesn’t need the money. He wants to be a successful manager. And he fancied the Rangers job.”

The Light Blues icon legend also told how he is inching closer to an emotional return to the Scottish Premiership side. The 70-year-old was in talks with Bisgrove in the summer about a return but they couldn't reach an agreement. That now looks to have changed. Asked by White about the return, he said: “I’m not sure it’s a senior advisory role. It’s more of a consultant, ambassador. But I’m a Rangers supporter Jim.

“I had the chance to go back early season and I didn’t feel the job description was right for me but I’d love to help them. I want them to be successful again. I want them to be top of the league, I want them to be top of the Scottish game and do