LAUDRUP JETTING IN TO BACK FERGIE BOSS BID

BRIAN LAUDRUP says he is returning to Ibrox tomorrow night to publicly support Barry Ferguson's audition to become the next Rangers manager.

- By Michael Robertson

Hall of Fame inductee Laudrup will fly to Glasgow for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 showdown against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

The 56-year-old Dane believes Ferguson, left, could land the role beyond the end of this season if he secures a place in the quarter-finals and follows it up with a competitive performance in Sunday's Old Firm league derby at Celtic Park.

He feels the former Rangers captain and right-hand men Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor are the ideal candidates to restore the club's faded DNA, following three years of failure under previous managers Michael Beale and Philippe Clement.

Laudrup, right, said: "When I first joined Rangers there were numerous Scottish players with big profiles.

"Maybe at times there's been something lacking in terms of that Scottish backbone and players who know what it means to play for Rangers. Perhaps we haven't seen that leadership quality from this team.