UEFA exemption emerges for Steven Smith as Rangers host Dundee United
Steven Smith will have his full focus on Dundee United as Rangers look for their second league win on Saturday.
Ibrox hosts Jim Goodiwn’s team on 18 October, with the Gers putting a temporary manager in place for the fixture.
While Kevin Muscat seems the favourite to replace Russell Martin, the Shanghai Port manager wants to finish the Chinese Super League campaign, which ends on 22 November, before arriving in G51.
Neil McCann is expected to follow the Australian manager as assistant at the Glaswegian outfit, but it remains to be seen who takes charge of the team before their appointment.
Steven Smith can lead Rangers against Brann
Smith will be allowed to lead the Gers against Brann in the Europa League on 23 October, Kenny Macintyre says.
The Light Blues’ Under-19 head coach, despite lacking the required badges to take charge of them in Norway, has been granted an exemption to do so.
A UEFA exemption will be needed for Muscat as well, as the Shanghai Port manager achieved his coaching badges outside of Europe, and it will be interesting to see how the situation will unfold.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound on 18 October, Macintyre said: “We believe that Rangers have been given dispensation for Steven Smith, who doesn’t have the required badges, to take the side on Thursday evening.”
Smith seemed like the likely candidate to be in the dugout at Ibrox if the Gers hadn’t figured out their managerial situation during the international break, and he has been given the reins for now.
It appears the Light Blues intend for their Under-19 head coach to lead the team at Brann Stadion while they finalise a deal for Muscat.
Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe risk Europa League embarrassment at Ibrox
Rangers are predicted to finish 34th in the Europa League, having lost their opening two matches in the competition.
The Gers risk facing humiliation in Europe and face being knocked out of the league phase.
| Europa League table | Points |
| 32. Rangers | 0 |
| 33. Utrecht | 0 |
| 34. Feyenoord | 0 |
| 35. Red Bull Salzburg | 0 |
| 36. Malmo | 0 |
With the uncertainty over a permanent manager at Ibrox, the Light Blues risk hurting their prospects even further this season.
In the previous campaign, the Glaswegian outfit made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and fans had expected better prospects this time around.
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