Neil McCann once had Rangers fans raging over his BBC Sportsound comments as Ibrox return nears
Rangers look to be close to finally agreeing a deal that will see a new manager arrive at Ibrox in the coming weeks.
Russell Martin was sacked by Rangers before the international break, and decision-makers had hoped to bring in his replacement before the return of club football.
Steven Gerrard turned down a return to Rangers, and the likes of Derek McInnes and Danny Rohl have also been mentioned.
But Ibrox chiefs look to have finally settled on their man, and a deal that would see Kevin Muscat take over at Rangers is gathering pace.
Neil McCann looks set to take over Rangers on an interim basis, with the Australian set to see out the Chinese Super League season with Shanghai Port.
Neil McCann was slammed for celebration comments
McCann won the Scottish Premier League three times and the Scottish Cup four times in an illustrious five years with Rangers between 1998 and 2003.
A left-winger by trade, the Scot made 163 appearances for the Gers and is considered a legend of the club by many fans.
But in 2023, McCann branded Alfredo Morelos an “idiot” after his celebration against Hearts, in a tirade that attracted huge criticism from Rangers fans.
The Colombian had scored twice on the night, and celebrated both goals by sliding towards the home fans and placing his finger towards his lips.
Reacting live on BBC Sportsound, McCann said: “There he is away again. The boy is an idiot. The boy’s an idiot.”
Rangers fans slammed the former Ger, with one taking to social media to say that McCann’s comments were “an absolutely outrageous thing to say about a goal celebration“.
What did McCann say in the aftermath?
Asked to clarify his comments, McCann said: “He reacted when he scored his first one. Then he goes to the wee corner. I’ve said before how close this ground is. He runs to the fans and antagonises them.
“I said at the time I didn’t like it. The second one, because we were waiting so long, he had no reason to celebrate other than to antagonise the Hearts fans.
| Neil McCann – Managerial posts | Role | Period |
| Dunfermline Athletic | Assistant manager | 2012-15 |
| Dundee FC | Caretaker manager | 2017-17 |
| Dundee FC | Manager | 2017-18 |
| Inverness | Caretaker manager | 2021-21 |
| Rangers | Assistant manager | 2025-25 |
“He’s right into the corner of the section, running away from his own fans. I’ve seen him do that at Fir Park. I just don’t like that. I was very strong in my comments… maybe I shouldn’t have said that.“
There appeared to be no hard feelings when McCann returned to the club to assist Barry Ferguson at the end of last season, but whether that harmonious relationship persists, remains to be seen.
The Scot is set to take charge over the Gers for several games in Muscat‘s absence, and a poor run could land McCann back in hot water.
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