Preston manager Ryan Lowe has emerged as a shock contender for the Rangers job.

The recruitment process to find Michael Beale's replacement is well underway with the Lilywhites supremo being identified as the perfect fit for the Ibrox hotseat. Record Sport understands Light Blues chief executive James Bisgrove has made tentative enquiries over the financial outlay required to lure the 45-year-old Scouser from Deepdale. North End are riding high in third spot of the English Championship after their best start to a league season since 1928/29 with six wins from nine league games this season.

Lowe has moulded a no-nonsense reputation for delivering an attractive, attacking brand of football while revamping underachieving squads in a ruthless fashion with that identikit now part of the desired job description at Ibrox. The former Bury striker guided Plymouth Argyle to promotion from League Two before taking the reins at Preston just under two years ago and is a close friend of former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard from the pair's time as youth players at Liverpool.

The former Ibrox midfielder has left the door open for an approach from the Light Blues with his contract set to expire at the end of the current J-League campaign. Another name that is being linked with Ibrox is former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo.