Former Rangers defender John Brown has insisted that Ally McCoist would be welcomed back to the club should he ever choose to return.

McCoist was removed from his position as manager in December having steered the club back up through the divisions following their demotion to the bottom tier due to financial issues.

The 53-year-old, who scored a club-record 355 goals for the Ibrox outfit, is now four months into a 12-month gardening leave period but, with a new hierarchy now in place, Brown insists that the door is open for a return at the end of that year.

"I know what Ally went through as manager. I worked under him when Craig Whyte was in charge. I knew the problems he had dealing with Whyte and things never improved after that," Brown is quoted as saying by PA.

"If you don't have the man at the top of the tree working with you then it is always going to be a hard shift. It proved to be that way and it took its toll on Ally. But the Rangers fans love Ally and I'm sure in time he will be welcomed back at the club with open arms.

"People can criticise the football played at the time but remember, he was dealing with the worst board in Rangers' history. To work under those circumstances must be difficult. Ally will be back in there at some stage and I know it will be sooner rather than later. He has got Rangers in his blood and is loved by the supporters for what he did during nine in a row. Whether they were critical over his term as manager or not, they remember what he gave to the club."

Rangers are currently second in the Scottish Championship table but have already been consigned to the playoffs courtesy of Hearts' runaway campaign.