Rangers may have to wait ‘weeks’ for Kevin Muscat
Rangers have been “frustrated” in their search for a new manager but are now closing in on the appointment of Kevin Muscat.
Football Insider first revealed on 6 October that Rangers had a four-man shortlist to replace Martin which consisted of Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Muscat.
Dyche was the first to rule himself out, before Gerrard dropped out despite holding positive talks, and Rohl was next to rule himself out despite emerging as the favourite.
That has left Muscat with a clear run at the Rangers job, although Football Insider revealed on 17 October that Rangers have two new concerns.
Chief among those is the boss’ commitments for Shanghai Port, who are in a title race with just four games left of their league season.
Rangers told they must search for interim boss after new twist
Muscat’s situation at Shanghai Port means he is unlikely to leave before their season ends, and could force Rangers to consider hiring a short-term interim boss.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Ibrox club will have to assess options who are willing to step into the temporary role.
That will only add to the already extended length of time searching for a new boss, having already missed out on a number of key targets.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Look, there’s no getting away from it. It’s been a frustrating search for a new manager for Rangers.
“I would say Muscat is the number one contender for the Rangers job right now.
“The problem with Muscat right now is that he’s in the ends of a title race over in China with his club, Shanghai Port, and they don’t really want to lose him with the team trying to win the title with four games left in the season.
“it doesn’t look like, they’ll be willing to let Muscat leave while they’re still contesting this title.
“So Rangers might have to wait a few more weeks if they are to appoint Kevin Muscat. And where does that leave everybody else? Will they bring in somebody on an interim basis for a few games before maybe appointing Muscat?
“They’ll have to be looking at options who would be willing to step in on a temporary basis if that is the case.”
Football Insider revealed on 16 October that Rangers are advancing in talks to appoint Muscat, with the path having cleared for his appointment.
Rangers eye Slaven Bilic as interim replacement
Former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 15 October that Slaven Bilic could take charge at Rangers temporarily until Muscat can step in.
The former West Ham boss has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fateh in August 2024, but has been backed to get the best out of this Rangers squad.
Football Insider revealed on 12 October that Bilic was in the running to become Rangers’ manager on a permanent basis but has now fallen behind Muscat in the running.
It is unclear whether he would accept a short-term role as he aims to return to top-level management, having also been a contender for the West Ham job last month.
Bilic is believed to be open to a return to top-level management, after Football Insider revealed Bilic was an option for West Ham in their attempts to replace Graham Potter.
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