NEW Rangers boss Stuart McCall believes the Ibrox men can still win promotion – and with it secure him the job long term.

The club's new interim chairman Paul Murray has put the Bantams legend in charge until the end of the season.

The nine-in-a-row icon now has 11 games to save the club's campaign, starting with Saturday's home clash with Livingston.

With Championship leaders Hearts 22 points in front of the the Light Blues, McCall knows his team's only chance of clinching a top-flight return is by the play-offs.

But Rangers have won just three of their last ten games and are now looking worriedly over their shoulders at Queen of the South and Falkirk closing in quick.

McCall, who enjoyed success at Motherwell after starting his managerial career at City, will have to inspire a rapid turn-around but he insists his weary troops can still be fired up for the fight.

Asked if promotion was still achievable, the 50-year-old said: "Yes, it has to be. Since the defeat to Hearts in November when Rangers could have gone three points behind them at the top, Hearts have gone on and soared.

"Unfortunately our performances and results here have slipped down.

"Confidence is a big thing in football but it's like any walk of life, if you have confidence you do things better.

"It's a big, big challenge. Obviously there's no doubt about that. If anybody has seen the side of late, they will know it is a big challenge.

"But ultimately it is a massive opportunity. It's a great honour and privilege to come in and try to help the club at this moment in time and something I'm looking forward to.

"I've had a million and one text messages wishing me good luck and I will need them all.

"But you only have to look at the players in there. I spoke to them today and they are under no illusions that we have under-performed this season.

"But there is enough quality in that dressing room to do better than we have."

He added: "We have got to hit the ground running. We have got two big home games coming up. The supporters will be there. They don't want to come and boo and criticise. They want to support the team.

"Hearts have been outstanding and they will win the league, there's no doubt about that.

"Hibs are on a great run and Falkirk and Queen of the South have shown what good sides they are.

"It's now our turn. We need to turn this round. There are still enough games to do it and everyone in that dressing room has got to believe that this can still be a successful season.

"They have had back-to-back promotions - go and make it a third."

McCall's appointment was not confirmed until shortly after 5pm today – around an hour after it was announced caretaker boss Kenny McDowall had left the club following his tortured three-month stint in charge.

The new man will be assisted by his former Fir Park number two Kenny Black but he admits he is still unsure what role current Murray Park coaches Ian Durrant and Gordon Durie will play over the next two months.

But McCall knows it is up to him to prove he is worth a deal beyond the summer.

"Kenny Black and I are under no illusions. We are here for the short-term," he said.

"But we have got an opportunity to put our mark down. If we can do well, then who knows what happens in the future?"

McDowall was put in temporary charge four days before Christmas after former boss Ally McCoist was put on garden leave.

McCall has already quizzed his predecessor and plans to talk to his former team-mate McCoist in the coming days as he tries to get to the bottom just why things have gone so wrong for Rangers.

He even called in his new squad to Murray Park on their day off for a snap training session before holding a dressing room summit.

And he laid it on the line to players that it is up to them to save their Ibrox futures.

He said: "There are 12 boys out of contract and the message to them is go win yourself a deal. Be there at the end of the season walking round the pitch to cheers, rather than hurtling down the tunnel as quick as you can because you are getting booed off.

"It is still in their hands. We need to improve hugely but I believe we can do that."

Meanwhile, McCall confirmed he has told Scotland boss Gordon Strachan that he will give up his coaching duties with the national side while in charge at Ibrox.