Kevin Muscat edges closer to Rangers job as coach spotted in Glasgow ahead of taking charge vs Dundee United
Rangers are moving quickly to hire Kevin Muscat as their new manager.
Muscat is currently in charge of Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port, who have four games left to play in order to find out if they will be crowned Chinese champions for the third successive season.
It seems that Rangers are now willing to wait until the Chinese season finishes in order to appoint the Australian as Russell Martin‘s permanent successor.
However, Shanghai Port’s campaign does not finish until late November, meaning that Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe will have to find a short-term solution to their dug-out vacancy.
Rangers will have to wait until after 22 November to hire Kevin Muscat – but they have short-term solution
Shanghai Port have four games left against Qingdao Hainiu (17 October), Shandong Yaishan (26 October), Zhejiang (31 October) and Dalian Zhizing (22 November).
They have a two-point lead at the top of the table in a four-way race for the Chinese Super League title.
Understandably, Muscat will want to see that out before taking the job at Ibrox after Steven Gerrard rejected a return to Rangers last week.
It means that the Light Blues need to draft up a short-term solution.
- Muscat played as a defender for Rangers when they won the domestic treble in 2002-03
- He only made 22 appearances for the Glasgow side before leaving for Millwall
- The former Australia international has since managed Melbourne Victory, Sint-Truiden, Yokahama F Marinos and Shanghai Port
- He joined Shanghai Port in December 2023 and last year he won the Chinese Super League and Chinese FA Cup
According to Four Lads Had A Dream, Neil McCann will be on Muscat’s coaching staff, and he “could take temporary charge for Saturday” against Dundee United when Rangers welcome Jim Goodwin’s side to Ibrox.
Four Lads claims that the “next 48 hours are huge” with a move to hire Muscat progressing at a rapid pace.
While it’s by no means a done deal just yet, Rangers’ bid to hire a new manager looks to be reaching a conclusion.
Neil McCann spotted in Glasgow ahead of Rangers return
Former Rangers winger McCann was in attendance at Hampden Park on Sunday when Scotland beat Belarus in World Cup qualifying.
He was working as a pundit on that game for BBC Scotland, in what looks like could be his final broadcasting gig before returning to coaching.
In February, McCann was part of the coaching team led by interim manager Barry Ferguson until the end of last season.
Ferguson went on record-breaking bad runs at Rangers during his time in temporary charge of the Ibrox giants.
McCann will hopefully be able to use his knowledge of the current crop, as well as knowing what it takes to be a Rangers player, to reverse the poor form and attitude instilled by Martin.
And that could stand Muscat in good stead for when he then takes over permanently in late November.
When could Kevin Muscat’s first game in charge be?
Shanghai Port’s domestic season finishes on 22 November.
Rangers’ currently have a game on that date against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox. However, even with the time difference potentially being on the Gers’ side, the speed of aeroplanes probably isn’t.
It’s very likely that if Muscat is hired, his first game in charge would be against Braga in the Europa League at Ibrox on 27 November.
Failing that, the next game is also at home, but against Falkirk on 30 November.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @ibroxnews247