Ex-Ibrox chief highlights Rangers ‘gamble’ as Philippe Clement v Kevin Muscat decision looms
Rangers are taking a “gamble” regardless of who wins the race to be appointed as manager between Philippe Clement and Kevin Muscat, according to Gordon Smith.
The board at Ibrox have seemingly narrowed the search for the club’s new boss down to two candidates; ex-Monaco boss Clement or Yokohama F. Marinos manager and ex-Gers player Muscat.
Former Rangers and player and director Smith, talking to the Daily Record on Saturday (14 October, page 55), says any managerial appointment carries an element of risk but did hint that Muscat’s knowledge of Scottish football may help his cause.
“You never know if the ideal candidate is going to come in and be a success, regardless of how successful they have been elsewhere. It’s always a gamble, no matter how strong the credentials of that appointment is. I personally don’t have a preference about who the new manager should be,” he said.
“The thing about Kevin Muscat is that he has a connection with the club having been a player at Ibrox and that’s a strong positive. He knows the club and knows exactly what is involved with being a Rangers player and the huge demands which come with that. He also has knowledge of Scottish football so that’s another big box ticked but I have always had the belief that every single managerial appointment is a risk.
“Clement is an interesting candidate, he’s been able to go abroad and take another style of football into his style of management.”
Get a shift on
Smith is absolutely right of course, there is no perfect science when hiring a new manager.
Sometimes an appointment is made where you think the winning candidate will be a big success and they’re a complete bust. Sometimes a hire looks underwhelming on paper and goes on to be a club legend.
The truth is Rangers have got their previous two appointments wrong, the decision to go with Michael Beale is looking particularly short-sighted now having backed him with nine summer signings.
So, the onus is on the board to get this next one right and make sure they have the support to be a real success in the Ibrox dugout.
What is slightly frustrating is how long the process is taking. Most of the international break has now gone, a period that would have provided a good chunk of time to work on the training ground. Being thorough is important, but it really is time to get a shift on now.
In other Rangers news, Sky Sports have issued an update on the timescale for an appointment at Ibrox.