Official Rangers partner issues clear update on interest in Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe
There is "nothing" in the "rumours" that Rangers are interested in appointing Ryan Lowe to replace Michael Beale, according to Heart & Hand.
The official club partner reported via Twitter on 3 October that the Preston North End manager is not in the running to get the Ibrox job, amid links to the 45-year-old.
The Daily Record had reported earlier in the day that James Bisgrove had made "tentative enquiries" over the cost of bringing the "shock contender" in, but that is apparently going nowhere.
Other names linked to the job include former Gers defender Kevin Muscat, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, AZ Alkmaar's Pascal Jansen and former triple Belgian title-winner Philippe Clement.
False alarm
Lowe himself responded to the links by claiming his "sole focus" is PNE when asked on Tuesday [Lancashire Post, 3 October], even if that sort of thing can certainly not be taken at face value given Beale's explicit commitment to QPR before taking the Ibrox job anyway.
It makes sense for the Rangers hierarchy to consider any option who might be capable of lifting the situation at the club, so Lowe's name may have come up.
But it would appear that if it did the conversation has now moved on and he won't be the second English Championship boss to arrive in Glasgow inside a year.
While Lowe has far more experience as a manager than Beale did a year ago, having spent time at Bury and Plymouth Argyle before taking over at PNE it is possible that a job the size of the Rangers hot seat is further down the line for him.
Beale talked a good game but ultimately didn't back it up with results so substance and something of a proven track record are likely to be key considerations this time around.
Jansen's years operating near the top of the Eredivisie, or Clement's Belgian league titles and experience in the Champions League likely make them more attractive options at a time when the Rangers board can't afford to get it wrong again.