Dundee have sacked manager Tony Docherty less than 24 hours after securing their place in the Scottish Premiership.

The Dens Park side defeated St Johnstone in Perth to avoid a relegation play-off but despite maintaining his team’s top-flight status, Docherty has been axed along with his backroom team of Stuart Taylor, Alan Combe and Graeme Henderson.

Docherty was appointed two years ago having been a long-time assistant to Derek McInnes at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Dundee chiefs said the decision had been made because this season has “not met the standards expected by the club”.

In a statement, the club said: “Sunday’s result confirmed the club’s place in the Scottish Premiership for next season. However, this season the results of the team have not met the standards expected by the club.

“With the club finishing the season in 10th position, one place above the relegation play-off position, the club have taken the decision to relieve Tony of his duties.

“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tony, Stuart, Alan and Graeme for all of the work they have put into the club during their time at Dundee FC. We wish them all the best for the future.

“The club intends at this juncture to restructure the football department and the process to appoint a new management team begins immediately.”

Current Ayr United boss Scott Brown and former Hibs manager Shaun Maloney are among the early favourites to replace Docherty.

Another linked with the job is David Healy, who had a playing stint at Rangers, and also played for Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers and Sunderland, among others. He has been in charge of Linfield in his native Northern Ireland since October 2015 and has done a stellar job.

McInnes, meanwhile, has been unveiled as the new manager at Hearts, the 53-year-old replacing Neil Critchley in the Tynecastle hot seat after a successful spell at Rugby Park.

“I’ve always felt that this is a club that I’ve wanted to manage,” he said.

“The intention is to try and deliver silverware, bring sustained success on the pitch and just be the biggest animal we can be and try and meet the expectation that’s there from everybody.”

Rangers have said their search for a permanent new manager is well under way after confirming Barry Ferguson’s short spell in charge at Ibrox is over.

Ferguson took interim charge in February in the wake of Phillipe Clement’s sacking and recorded six wins, five draws and four defeats in 15 games in all competitions.

Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart said: “The club, and I am sure all our supporters, will be forever grateful to Barry for stepping up and taking on the role of head coach.

“He and his staff have performed admirably amongst some trying circumstances and achieved some excellent results along the way. The search for our new head coach is progressing well, and we look forward to concluding our process in the coming period.”