Matt Le Tissier: Rangers should have appointed 50-year-old instead of Danny Rohl
Rangers should have appointed an interim manager to cover the next month before landing Kevin Muscat permanently.
That is according to Premier League icon Matt Le Tissier, who has also told Football Insider that he can understand why Kevin Muscat pulled out of the race due to his current situation at Shanghai Port.
Rangers have been searching for a new boss since Russell Martin was relieved of his duties earlier this month following a dismal start to the 2025-26 campaign.
Steven Gerrard emerged as an early favourite to take over after four years away but was soon ruled out, while Muscat, 50, looked set to take over at Ibrox despite being close to winning the Chinese Super League title with Shanghai Port.
Muscat was ruled out of the Rangers running over the weekend amid concerns about having to wait for him to take over, and now the club are close to appointing another new boss instead.
Rangers close in on Danny Rohl after Muscat rejection
Former Wolves and Millwall man Muscat has held numerous managerial roles over the years, with experience in charge in multiple countries like Australia, Belgium, Japan and China.
He led Shanghai to the Chinese Super League title last season and looks set to repeat that feat this time around, hence why Rangers identified him as the leading candidate to take over as boss at Ibrox.
As well as reservations around leaving his current club before a potential title triumph, Football Insider revealed on Monday (20 October) that Muscat was unsure about Rangers transfer budget and board structure.
Danny Rohl has become Rangers’ new manager after some time out of work following an impressive stint at Sheffield Wednesday between 2023 and 2025.
Rangers needed interim boss to get Muscat after end of Chinese Super League season
Rangers may live to regret their failure to hire Muscat, especially considering his track record of winning titles in numerous leagues compared to Rohl’s lack of experience at the same level.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former England and Southampton striker Le Tissier insisted that Rangers should have hired an interim boss for a month to then get Muscat in after the end of the CSL season if they really wanted him at the helm.
He said: “I understand why Muscat’s turned it down. He’s got three games left in the season. There are a couple of points clear at the top of the league. I think it would be really hard for him to leave that situation.
“I think he’s done the right thing. If Rangers did definitely want him, they could just appoint somebody for a few weeks. I don’t think he’s going to make a huge amount of difference to Rangers’ season right now.
“They’re not going to win the league this year. They’re not going to get relegated. If you really want Muscat, just wait for him to the end of the season and just put somebody in temporary charge. That’s what I think I would probably do if that’s the situation now.“