Davies revealed he would love to manage former club Rangers

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has revealed an ambition to become Rangers boss before his career ends.

The 45-year-old is looking to steer Forest to the English Premier League via the play-offs this season.

And the former Rangers player believes a stint in England's top flight could precede a move to Ibrox.

He told BBC Alba's Spors programme: "I'm very open-minded with regards to the future. I would love to, no doubt, someday manage Glasgow Rangers."

Davies, a midfielder who was a fringe player at Ibrox for a three-year period from 1981, added: "Whether it's in 10 years, 15 years - whatever."

The Forest manager said his immediate focus was on gaining promotion from the Championship this season.

I'm desperate to get back to the Premier League Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies

"I'm desperate to get back to the Premier League," he said.

"I want to get back there with a club that will financially support its manager, a club that wants to compete at that level and doesn't want to change owners. That's my biggest challenge."

The former Motherwell, Preston and Derby boss became Forest's manager in January 2009, when he succeeded Colin Calderwood.

He took up the managerial reins at Derby in June 2006 after leaving Preston and immediately guided the club to promotion via the Championship play-offs, beating West Brom 1-0 in the final at Wembley.

But he was sacked the following November, with Derby rock-bottom of the Premier League, having won only one game, against Newcastle at Pride Park.

Despite an unsuccessful playing spell at Rangers, Davies holds fond memories of his time at Ibrox.

"For me, it was always a challenge being a young player joining Glasgow Rangers," he said.

"You've got to be very patient at these big clubs to try to get some games. Hence the reason why a lot move on and take on another challenge.

"At Rangers, I never really got a great deal of challenge, although I think my 5ft 6in stature never helped me."

Spors will be broadcast on BBC Alba at 2000 BST on Saturday

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version