Rangers: Stuart McCall wants to lead Ibrox club next season

Rangers manager Stuart McCall (centre) conceded Motherwell were the better team over two legs

Stuart McCall wants to stay as Rangers manager following a 6-1 aggregate defeat by former club Motherwell in the Premiership play-off final.

The 50-year-old took over from Kenny McDowall in March on a contract until the end of the campaign.

"It's been tougher than probably most people could have imagined," he told BBC Scotland.

"To keep everyone together and galvanise everyone, I think we've done a decent job."

Two defeat by the Fir Park club - who McCall left in November - has consigned Rangers to a second season in the Championship.

Rangers were chasing a two-goal deficit after Thursday's 3-1 first-leg loss at Ibrox, but second-half strikes from Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth and John Sutton gave Motherwell another comfortable win on Sunday.

"Motherwell were the better team over the two legs without a doubt, but three of the goals are deflections and sometimes you need a bit of lady luck," said McCall.

"If we'd got the first goal with a deflection it'd have been a completely different game.

"We wanted to take it into the last 20-30 minutes, but the first goal kills us."

Rangers reached the play-off final after finishing third in the Championship

The Rangers board now have to decide whether to keep McCall, who has won seven and drawn six of his 17 games in charge.

"I would say my three strengths as a manager are recruiting, improving people and getting the best out of them," added McCall, who won six titles as a player at Ibrox.

"That's what Rangers will need next season, whoever the manager is, and it's a fantastic opportunity for anyone.

"The recruitment's going to be key. My record will show that I can recruit players and improve them and my past record will show that I can get the best out of people.

"The club can do a Hearts [who romped to the Championship title] next season, with the right recruitment and the right coaching.

"Twelve months today, Rangers can be back in the top flight. I've no doubt about that."