As a title-winning team-mate of his at Wolves he knows Conor Coady inside out. As a St Johnstone player last season, he also got up close and personal with Rangers. That’s why, if the English defender ends up at Ibrox this summer, Barry Douglas is convinced they’re the perfect match. He played alongside Coady at Molineux in 2017/18 when – under Nuno Espirito Santo – they won the Championship and made it to the Premier League . Douglas was blown away – not just by Coady as a ball-playing centre-back – but also by the Scouser’s infectious personality. In his career, the Scot has never met a more energetic character or leader of men. And given his experience of going up against the current Rangers side recently, Douglas says Coady is EXACTLY what they need to help them mount a title challenge to champions Celtic. New Ibrox gaffer Russell Martin has a huge task on his hands trying to topple Brendan Rodgers’ side after taking over in Govan. He’s keen to sign Coady from Leicester City in a bid to bolster his backline . And Douglas believes if the deal goes through, the 32-year-old will be an ideal fit for Rangers. He told Record Sport : “As a character, I don’t think I’ve come across much better in my career than Conor. That’s saying a lot as I’ve met a lot of good people. “But as a human being, Coads is infectious. He’s got so much energy. You’ll never see him not in a positive mood, regardless of the situation. “He’s a leader. And that’s what a club the stature of Rangers has been missing for a lot of years, a proper leader. Conor is always pushing everyone. He’s constantly on a high frequency. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him upset. He’s always smiling and optimistic. And that grows arms and legs in a dressing-room. “He’s very vocal but everything he says resonates. It’s not just for the sake of being vocal. You come across people in football who just like to hear the sound of their own voice. “But Coads isn’t like that. He’s like a manager, in that sense. He’ll be like a manager on the pitch for Russell. It’s a great fit for Rangers.” That Wolves dressing-room seven years ago had the likes of Matt Doherty, Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Morgan Gibbs-White in it. But Coady was the organiser and orchestrator of everything they did. And Douglas believes those types of qualities are lacking at Ibrox right now. He said: “We had a lot of big characters in that Wolves team and top players. But Conor took on that responsibility, which takes a lot. “That’s why he’s had the career he’s had. He’s an England international and we all know how hard it is to break into that squad. “Coads has loads of experience of winning, as we did at Wolves that year. That HAS to be a positive if he signs for Rangers. “That’s what they need, more winners. They need guys who have been there and done it at the highest level. “Conor is a very good player. He was vital for us in that promotion season in getting us to the Premier League . “He slotted into the middle of a back three and it was his first time playing there. His job was to start attacks for us because he’s got such a great array of passes. He can control the game for you. “If you took Coady out of that Wolves team, it just wouldn’t have worked. He was so important to how we played. And his leadership on the pitch – his reading of the game – made it so much easier for everyone around him. “You’ll see that if he comes here, just how he organises everyone. There’s been a lot of change at Rangers over the summer with the ownership and a new manager. “But for what they want to try and achieve, Conor could be crucial for them. They need players who can deal with the business end of a season. “Rangers have good players – but not many who have been involved in big moments at big clubs. Where it’s required to steady the ship and navigate through it. “Also, Coads is a possession-based player and that’s what Russell wants. So he’ll be perfect for how he wants to play at Rangers and the system he’ll use. I grew up a Rangers fan and I’ll be really excited if this deal happens.” Coady grew up on Merseyside so Douglas says a big-city rivalry in Glasgow won’t faze him. If anything, he feels the former Everton defender would relish the challenge of playing at the Old Firm. And if Martin and Rangers are going to be serious title contenders this season, Douglas claims Coady could be a key figure. He said: “He’s a Scouser so I don’t think the transition to Glasgow would be too difficult for him. How would he cope with the pressure at the Old Firm? “He’s been used to big, pressurised games throughout his career. And he’s used to that need to win. That’s why it would be a good fit. “If I know him and what he brings – and I know the demands of playing for a club the size of Rangers – I think he’d really thrive on that. “If Russell can get guys like Conor in to play the way he wants to play – I think it can be a good year for Rangers to go and challenge Celtic. “It’s OK playing beautiful football but at a club like Rangers, you need results. But with the quality players they’ve got – I think they’ll get results IF everyone buys into it. “When they see how it works under Russell, the football will become a lot more enjoyable. Fans will love seeing Rangers playing good football – and winning games.”