Former Crystal Palace and Newcastle Manager Shock Contender to Fill Rangers Vacancy

Former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has emerged as a surprise contender to fill the vacancy at Scottish Premier League side Rangers.

The 56-year-old has over 15 years of managerial experience mainly in the English top flight and has been out of work since his departure from Selhurst Park in December last year, and is currently working as an analyst for Sky Sports.

The Daily Mail have reported that Pardew's representatives and the Gers hierarchy have held tentative contact between the two since they decided to sack the under achieving Pedro Caixinha last week.

Pardew was rumoured to be holding out for a return to the Premier League, turning down an offer from Ukraine side Dynamo Kiev, and was linked with the hotseat at Leicester before the appointment of Claude Puel.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is still reported to be the Glasgow-based sides' first choice to take the club forward, despite the issue of Rangers having to pay the Dons a compensation fee of over £1m.

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Belgian Michel Preud'homme, however is not going to take over at Ibrox, with the former Standard Liege coach keen to secure an answer from Rangers, but chairman Dave King revealed that the club are keen not to make the same mistake as they did with the appointment of Caixinha.

Interim manager Graeme Murty oversaw Rangers 3-1 win over Hearts, on Saturday to return to winning way and is understood to be in charge for a period of time as the club will take time to go through applications and beginning the interview process.