Kevin Muscat spotted in Yokohama F Marinos training as Rangers manager search draws to conclusion
Kevin Muscat has been spotted in training with Yokohama F Marinos as Rangers continue their search for a new manager, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper reported on its website on Saturday (14 October) that the former Ibrox defender was visible in training footage posted by the J-League club as they prepare for their clash with Urawa Red Diamonds, hinting he will still be managing the side.
Muscat is reported to be one of the final two names in the running in the race to replace Michael Beale as Gers manager, alongside former Monaco manager Philippe Clement, with an appointment expected in the coming days.
Despite plenty of speculation over his future, Muscat has been previously vocal about being focused on winning silverware in Japan. However, he and Clement are both expected to know who will be in charge of the Light Blues before Monday morning.
Potential hint
If you’ve got your tinfoil hat on, you could take Muscat’s presence in the club’s training footage to mean that he won’t be the man to take over at Ibrox this weekend as why would he then still be in Japan? But realistically there are so many potential explanations for Muscat’s presence in the training footage.
Yokohama’s League Cup match with Urawa kicks off at 9 on Sunday (15 October) morning, so there is every chance that the match may be Muscat’s final match in charge of the J-League side before making the switch to Glasgow ready to prepare for the clash with Hibernian.
The former defender is unlikely to throw away his opportunity to win silverware with his current side just because of a potential move to Rangers that could ultimately not happen. Clement would likely be doing the same if he was currently in a job.
Whether or not it will be Muscat or Clement to succeed Michael Beale, a decision has yet to be made and the Rangers board have been clear that they won’t be rushed into making an appointment before they believe that they have the right candidate.
Luckily for most Rangers fans, it seems as though they won’t have to wait too long to find out who will be their team’s next boss and hopefully whoever is chosen will have the Light Blues firing for their return to action against Hibs.
In other Rangers news, Nicolas Raskin has admitted his move to Ibrox was just a step to reach the Premier League in the future