In the wake of being beaten by Leeds United to midfielder Toumani Diagouraga, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has told the Gers to back manager Mark Warburton or risk losing him.
Warburton identified Brentford midfielder Diagouraga as a priority target in the current transfer window, but Rangers were unable to agree a fee with the Bees for the Frenchman, allowing Leeds to steal in and take him to Elland Road. Leeds boss Steve Evans admitted yesterday his new boy was wanted at Ibrox.
Warburton has also seen Rangers fail to land St Johnstone forward Michael O'Halloran this month, having two offers knocked back.
Boyd thinks Rangers must back Warburton in the transfer market or risk losing a manager who has regularly been linked with jobs back in England since he arrived at Ibrox.
Boyd told STV: "The big thing is that Rangers have got a massive rebuilding process under way right now, in which the board stated they were going to back the manager and do this and do that
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"So I think forget what’s happened in the past, look at the present and the present is go and back your manager, give him the money to strengthen the squad to cope when they come up.
"I think when you put yourself in that position, if you’re not going to do it then I don’t see why you open your mouth and say you would do it", he added, referring to Rangers owner Dave King promising to "over-invest" to ensure the Gers are back up and challenging in the Premiership.
"I can understand the things he’s said at the beginning to try and get the fans back on side and appease them", he added.
And the former Rangers striker issued a warning over potentially losing Warburton.
"If there’s money there, then you’re going to have to back the manager.
"If you don’t, you might find a successful manager coming up here, turning the whole club about, leaving because if you’re given false promises, why would you stay?"
Warburton currently has Rangers sitting top of the Championship table and on course to return to the top flight for next term.
