The games Kevin Muscat is set to miss at Rangers, including season-defining clash
Kevin Muscat could be hours away from being announced as Rangers’ next manager.
The former Rangers player recently emerged as the favourite to succeed Russell Martin after Steven Gerrard rejected the chance of an Ibrox return.
Rangers have agreed personal terms with Muscat but must now finalise a compensation payment with Shanghai Port.
Even once that is done, the Australian is expected to remain in Shanghai until the end of the Chinese season on 22 November.
That would mean Muscat missing some key fixtures over the next month, all of which Ibrox News has outlined below.
Kevin Muscat set to miss eight Rangers matches
Rangers have already confirmed that Steven Smith will oversee Rangers’ clash with Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday.
The Gers then turn focus to Thursday’s Europa League trip to Brann, before hosting Kilmarnock and travelling to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
Then comes a truly massive Viaplay Cup semi-final tie with Celtic at Hampden Park, followed by Roma at Ibrox in the Europa League and Dundee away in the league.
There is then a two-week international break, but Muscat will not be ready for the visit of Livingston on 22 November, so the home European tie with Braga five days later will be circled for his first game in charge.
Celtic match could be a season-defining one for Rangers
It has been suggested that Neil McCann could be appointed as Rangers caretaker boss after this weekend, which would make perfect sense.
Rangers need someone with authority in the dugout for this crucial run of games. The season cannot just be written off at this juncture.
| Fixture | Competition | Date |
| Dundee United (h) | Scottish Premiership | 18/10 |
| Brann (a) | Europa League | 23/10 |
| Kilmarnock (h) | Scottish Premiership | 26/10 |
| Hibernian (a) | Scottish Premiership | 29/10 |
| Celtic (n) | Viaplay Cup | 2/11 |
| Roma (a) | Europa League | 6/11 |
| Dundee (a) | Scottish Premiership | 9/11 |
| Livingston (h) | Scottish Premiership | 22/11 |
That showdown with Celtic on 2 November really will be massive. As Derek Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News, Rangers’ season could be defined by the result against Celtic.
Win that game and Rangers are into the final of a cup competition, while denying their great rivals a shot at a domestic treble.
Muscat’s delayed appointment is far from ideal, but if he is the man Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe want, then he is worth waiting an extra month for.
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