Exclusive: What Rangers can expect from Kevin Muscat revealed by former player – ‘Probably the best I’ve had’

Ibrox News has exclusively spoken to one of Kevin Muscat’s former players to find out what Rangers fans can expect from the Australian.

Rangers are expected to appoint Muscat in the coming days, with the former defender set to fill the vacant dugout at Ibrox.

The 52-year-old is currently managing Shanghai Port in China, where he can win his second consecutive Chinese Super League title.

Rangers had looked to appoint Steven Gerrard, but the Ibrox favourite ultimately turned down the job after initial talks.

And Danny Rohl dropped out of the race for the Rangers job this week, favouring a slight break before he returns to management.

Rangers-linked manager Kevin Muscat ahead of a Shanghai Port match
Credit: Imago

Kevin Muscat ‘improved my tactical side of the game’

Muscat‘s managerial career began in Australia with Melbourne Victory in 2012.

Initially serving as an assistant, the former Australia international was given the manager role in 2013, replacing the outgoing Ange Postecoglou.

The former Ger would lead Victory to the A-League Championship and Premiership double in the 2014-15 season, and the Championship once more in the 2017-18 season.

Kevin MuscatMelbourne Victory
Games200
Wins95
Draws45
Losses60
Scored339
Conceded277

In 2016, Mitch Austin would arrive at Victory from Central Coast Mariners and spend two years under the management of Muscat before his departure in 2018.

Austin, who also spent time in Scotland with Partick Thistle, spoke exclusively to Ibrox News about his experiences of playing under the likely next Rangers manager.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, to be honest, when I signed,” the former Victory winger explained.

As I watched him as a player growing up in the A-League, and he was always a player I thought to myself, ‘he’s the one guy as a winger you don’t want to play against’.

“He loved a tackle and had quite a few red cards in his playing career, so for me, going into the club, I thought he might be a similar coach to his playing career.

“But honestly, he was the complete opposite and still to this day, I say he’s probably the best manager/coach I’ve had in terms of improving my tactical side of the game.”

Mitch Austin: Muscat’s attention to detail was immaculate

Austin was 25 when he arrived at Victory, having already spent years playing for clubs such as Cambridge United, Lincoln City, and Central Coast Mariners.

But the winger, who is also currently the only professional footballer to represent his team on the Esports stage and produces content for Borussia Dortmund, says Muscat’s style took time to adapt to.

“I had come from Central Coast Mariners, where the season before we had finished rock bottom,” Austin said.

“Going to the biggest club in Australia in Melbourne Victory, I knew it was going to be a big change.

“His attention to detail on everything was immaculate. It took a bit of time to adapt to his style, but I think after a few months, I really enjoyed it. He likes to play a high pressing game and on the front foot.

“As a player going on the pitch, you really knew your job and where you had to be from a positional sense, attacking and defensively, and this was drummed in during the week at training on the pitch and a lot of video sessions.”

This is exactly what the Rangers fans and squad can expect, buckle in.

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