EX-Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice and former Ton League Cup hero Dougie Imrie are interested in succeeding Gus MacPherson as Morton’s new manager, the Tele understands.

Rice, 58, is without a job since leaving Hamilton in August after just two games of the current season while Imrie is currently a first team coach at Premiership side Livingston.

The Tele understands that the 38-year-old is interested in replacing MacPherson, who was fired in the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Ayr United. 
It’s also understood Imrie has applied for the Cappielow manager’s role twice in the past. 

Imrie works with the Livingston Academy, which would tie in with the club’s current approach of promoting youth, an ethos which has seen Alexander King, Lewis McGrattan and Lewis McGregor elevated to the first team squad this season.

Imrie would be a popular appointment among most sections of the support after writing his name into Ton folklore by firing the winner against Celtic at Parkhead in the League Cup back in 2013.

The Tele understands he is likely to apply for the role, while Rice did not rule himself out when we approached him yesterday.

A source close to the former Accies boss said: “Brian has worked at Morton before and knows the club well.

“He is looking to get back into the game and this would be a perfect place to do that.”

The former Nottingham Forrest midfielder has openly admitted in recent weeks that he is looking to get back into management.

The club meanwhile confirmed that head of youth Derek Anderson will lead the team tonight against Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup third round replay, alongside assistant manager Andy Millen and first-team coach John Sutton.

The board say they are looking to undertake an ‘extensive recruitment process’ to ensure that they can find the ‘right candidate’ for the role.

Club bosses also said — with the fans’ backing — they are confident of surviving relegation.

A spokesperson said: “The club can today confirm that following Saturday’s news of Gus MacPherson being relieved of his duties, the team will be led in the interim by Derek Anderson, Andy Millen and John Sutton. A thorough recruitment process will now take place to ensure that the right manager is appointed to take the club forward.

“This season, in the first of community ownership, the focus is undoubtedly survival in the Championship.

“However, we are currently within touching distance of sixth and there is still time to finish the season as high up the table as possible. 

“We would like to thank all supporters for their patience and loyal backing. The club really is nothing without you, and your support of the team, and the club, whether it be MCT subscriptions, season tickets, merchandise, or hospitality to name a few examples, is huge for the club, to the extent that there would be no club without you. 

“We now have two important home games against Inverness at Cappielow, firstly tonight in the Scottish Cup, and then in the league on Saturday. It would be great to have a busy Cappielow getting right behind the team for both matches.”