Rangers are ready to make their move for their top target Derek McInnes this week, as they look to replace Pedro Caixinha – who was axed last week.

I understand the Gers are hoping to do a deal with Aberdeen to land McInnes, but The Dons would demand full compensation for him and his staff.

Aberdeen almost lost McInnes in the summer when Championship Sunderland came calling, but the project at the Stadium of Light was not what he wanted and instead he stayed at Pittodrie and signed a new deal.

However, now McInnes’s first love Rangers are set to come calling – it could be even harder for Aberdeen to keep him.

Rangers are ready to step up their interest, but there is other managers on their list. Belgian Michel Preud’homme – however, I understand from sources close to Ibrox that their second choice is Gers legend Stuart McCall.

The former Scottish international, like McInnes, is a former Rangers midfielder, and he is currently in charge at League One Bradford City in England.

McCall has already had a short-stint as Gers boss when he took charge in March 2015, only to be replaced by Mark Warburton that summer – but now the 53-year-old is back on their radar.

Bookmakers were quick to make McInnes favourite soon after Caixinha’s departure and he is now odds-on at 8/13.

BetVictor’s Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt told us: “Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes remains a strong favourite at 8/13 to take the vacant Rangers post but there is plenty of opposition starting to emerge.

“Former Club Brugge gaffer Michel Prued’homme has been nibbled at from 25/1 down to just 4/1 second favourite as rumours surface the experienced Belgium could be a shock appointment. Another springer is former Ranger manager Walter Smith who has twice been in the hot seat at Ibrox. He is another that saw support at 25/1 and is currently just 6/1.

“Alex McLeish is another former Rangers manager who has been supported at 14/1 down to as low as 3/1 before easing to a present 8/1. Its 10/1 bar those but the market remains fascinating and we are still seeing plenty of candidates been backed.”