Kevin Muscat now ‘slight favourite’ ahead of Philippe Clement in Rangers manager hunt
Kevin Muscat is the “slight favourite” to become the next Rangers manager ahead of Philippe Clement according to Mark Guidi.
The Australian who used to play at Ibrox has been linked with the position since Michael Beale was sacked by the Light Blues and the final choice for James Bisgrove and the Rangers board appears to be between Muscat and former Monaco boss Clement.
While many are reporting that Clement is the likely favourite, Guidi who is the chief football writer at the Sunday Mail believes that the former Gers defender is leading the race to succeed Beale at Ibrox.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (10 October) he said: “It appears to be down to Kevin Muscat and Philippe Clement, I would make Muscat a slight favourite at the moment and if anything did go wrong, anything unforeseen with those two candidates, I think Derek McInnes then becomes the manager.”
Slight favourite
The nature of having two candidates seemingly neck and neck in the race is that different pundits and journalists will have different views on who is more likely to take over at Ibrox, but this is as obvious an example as any that no decision has yet been made at Ibrox.
Muscat has been vocal in his desire to take over Rangers but has also vowed to try and deliver Yokohama another league title this season and the J-League campaign doesn’t conclude until December. The Gers want to make an appointment soon so a lot could depend on how genuine his promise to his current fanbase was.
Having succeeded in both Japan and Australia in a very similar way to Ange Postecoglou and having played in Glasgow during his playing career, Muscat would represent a very measured appointment partnering experience with that bit of difference other managers won’t bring.
What the Light Blues need to avoid is having to turn to McInnes as Guidi suggested could be the case if any complications arise. While the Kilmarnock boss is a good manager and knows Scottish football inside and out, he would be a clear step away from the type of manager the Gers are searching for. They cannot afford to be appointed their second or third choice.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has named Nigel Pearson as his left-field appointment at Ibrox