FORMER Rangers striker Jon Daly last night insisted Ally McCoist should not be judged on his record at Rangers because he was badly let down by the players.

The Irishman was signed for Rangers by McCoist and the current Hearts under-20 coach sees no reason why the 53-year-old would not be successful elsewhere.

Many fans criticised the management team at Ibrox for bad results and poor form in their first Championship season, but Daly believes most of the blame lies elsewhere.

Read more: Matthew Lindsay - No surprise Ally McCoist is eyeing a return to management despite his Rangers ordeal

He said: “It is easy to point fingers at a manager when things are not going well, but as players we needed to take more responsibility when it came to the actual matches. A lot of them should have done that.

“When things go well then we all take that pat on the back but when it goes badly everyone looks at the manager.

“I had a lot of time for the manager and still do. I was very sad to see him go.

The Herald:

“Obviously things didn’t pan out for him the way he hoped. I would like to se him get back in.

“There is his media work keeping him busy, but if the opportunity came about to get back into management then I am sure he’ll do a good job.”

Daly quit playing at 32, a series of knee problems curtailing his career, but there is another veteran striker at Ibrox looking as good as ever.

Read more: Former Rangers boss Ally McCoist ready to return to management

Kenny Miller at 36 was his team’s best player in the Scottish Cup Final and scored the 243rd goal against Hibernian.

And Daly said: “I’m not at all surprised he’s doing well. Kenny is a great professional and that shows if you look after yourself, you can play. Kenny does that.

“He’s probably had to adapt his game as he’s got older, but has done well. He was great this season and I am sure he will hope that continues.”

The Herald:

Daly is part of Robbie Nielson’s backroom team at Hearts and believes Rangers being back in the Premiership will mean every other will have to raise their game.

He said; “Having a good club like Rangers coming back is great.

“It’s going to be that everyone at Hearts has to maintain the levels that they have done but I am sure Robbie Nielson will be confident of doing that.

“He can hopefully recruit over the summer and get the right sort of player in that he’s looking for.

Read more: Ally McCoist on staying away from Ibrox, his pal Neil Lennon and what lies in store for Scottish football

“It’s going to be difficult because Rangers will make the league that bit tougher for everyone else.”

Steven Taylor, the former Newcastle United defender, is eyeing up joining another Championship club but a move to Rangers is not an impossibility.

It is understood that he would prefer to stay in England; however, a switch to Scotland, he has also been linked with Celtic, is something he could consider.

Wages would be an issue and he was on a basic of £22,000 a week at St James’s Park.

The Herald:

Taylor admitted he was unsure what he would do next and said: “Who knows? I’m excited for my future. It’s something to look forward to.

“We’ll play it by ear and take it one day at a time. We’ll not jump the gun.”