Sources: Rangers close to agreeing Kevin Muscat deal after dramatic developments
Rangers are advancing in talks to appoint Kevin Muscat as their manager after dramatic late-night developments, sources have told Football Insider.
The path cleared for the 52-year-old when his main rival for the position, Danny Rohl, pulled out of the running on Wednesday (15 October) evening.
Rangers are under pressure to complete a deal with Muscat as Rohl followed the likes of Steven Gerrard and Sean Dyche in removing himself from the race.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Slaven Bilic have also been touted for the job at Ibrox, but Muscat is now the frontrunner.
Rangers to push through complications to complete Kevin Muscat deal
There are complications for the Gers, as Muscat is under contract with Shanghai Port for another year, and the club are currently leading the Chinese Super League title race with four games to go.
Nevertheless, sources say there is growing confidence at Rangers that they can reach an agreement with the former Australian international in the next 48 hours.
Muscat would almost certainly have to take a pay cut to move to Glasgow, but he is believed to be keen to manage in Britain after previous tenures in Australia, Belgium and Japan.
The former defender had a one-year spell at Ibrox during his playing days and has maintained an affiliation with Rangers despite leaving the club in 2003.
Rangers have had major issues finding a Russell Martin replacement
Martin was sacked by Rangers following a 1-1 draw with Falkirk, and the subsequent recruitment process to find his replacement has been a struggle.
Gerrard had looked set to make a return to Ibrox before the former Liverpool midfielder pulled out of the race.
With Dyche and Rohl now also out of the running, it means that three of the four managers on Rangers’ original shortlist have rejected a move to Glasgow.
The Scottish giants will be desperate to get a deal for Muscat over the line, to ensure that they don’t miss out on another one of their targets.
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