Rangers are holding further talks with Kevin Muscat and his club Shanghai Port as they look to appoint a new head coach.
Sky Sports News revealed on Wednesday that the 52-year-old was emerging as the frontrunner for the job.
While Ibrox sources insist Muscat is not their only candidate, Rangers are locked in discussions with the Australian and his club, who are currently involved in a title race in China.
Muscat’s side are two points clear at the top of the table, with the last of their four remaining league games scheduled for November 22.
If compensation between the clubs and personal terms with Muscat are agreed, his current situation could mean he can’t depart for Ibrox until Shanghai Port’s title race concludes.
Muscat has won trophies as a boss in China, Japan and Australia
Rangers could then appoint an interim boss, with Neil McCann under consideration to take the reins temporarily before joining Muscat’s backroom team upon his arrival.
Muscat and McCann played together at Ibrox during Muscat’s only season at Rangers, as the club won a domestic treble in 2002/03.
Kevin Muscat played alongside Neil McCann during his one season at Rangers
McCann, who has been working on Sky Sports‘ Scottish Premiership coverage during this campaign, was part of Rangers’ interim setup last season under Barry Ferguson.
Muscat – who lost out on the Rangers job in 2023 to Philippe Clement – has won silverware as a boss in Australia, Japan, and China and is understood to have impressed the Rangers hierarchy.
Smith takes training ahead of Dundee Utd game
Steven Smith has been taking training since Russell Martin was sacked
Rangers return to action on Saturday against Dundee United, with under-19 coach Steven Smith – who had two spells at Ibrox as a player – continuing to prepare the squad for that match.
It’s likely he could be in the dugout at Ibrox this weekend, after leading first-team training alongside B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen.
Rangers are eighth in the Scottish Premiership following Russell Martin’s 123-day tenure at the club.
Who else did Rangers speak to?
Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl were among the other candidates
Former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard was among the candidates to replace Martin.
Despite constructive talks, Sky Sports News revealed on Saturday that Gerrard had pulled out of the process, with the timing of a possible move back to Glasgow thought to be an issue.
Danny Rohl – who was sounded by Rangers before they appointed Martin – was another option under consideration. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss was thought to have impressed Ibrox officials during talks but he withdrew from the race on Wednesday.
While he was keen to take over at Ibrox this week, it is believed he was aware others were ahead of him in the race.
Rangers had also sounded out the likes of ex-West Ham manager Graham Potter, former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Bo Svensson who was last at Union Berlin.
Who is leading the search?
The likes of Kevin Thelwell, Patrick Stewart, Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh have been leading the search for a new boss
Ibrox chairman Andrew Cavenagh – who led the US takeover of the club in the summer – and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe promised a “rigorous, thoughtful recruitment process” to find Martin’s successor.
They have been leading talks alongside 49ers Enterprises technical director Gretar Steinsson, Gers CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell,
While initial negotiations were in London, Cavenagh and co are back in America, with Thelwell and Stewart in Glasgow and Muscat in China – meaning time zones are adding a layer of complication to the process.
Rangers’ upcoming fixtures
- Dundee United (H) – Scottish Premiership – Saturday
- Brann (A) – Europa League – October 23
- Kilmarnock (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 26
- Hibernian (A) – Scottish Premiership – October 29 – live on Sky Sports
- Celtic (N) – League Cup semi-final – November 2
- Roma (H) – Europa League – November 6
- Dundee (A) – Scottish Premiership – November 9 – live on Sky Sports
- Livingston (H) – Scottish Premiership – November 22
- Braga (H) – Europa League – November 27
- Falkirk (H) – Scottish Premiership – November 30
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Thursday Night Football prediction, odds, spread, line: Steelers vs. Bengals picks from expert on 36-18 run
Teams trending in opposite directions clash when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a key AFC North matchup on 'Thursday Night Football.' Pittsburgh is coming off a 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, while Cincinnati dropped a 27-18 decision at Green Bay. The Steelers (4-1), who have won three in a row, are 2-0 on the road this season. The Bengals (2-4), second in the division, have lost four consecutive games since losing quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) to injury. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is a game-time decision after missing practice this week, while Pittsburgh WR Calvin Austin (shoulder) is out.Kickoff from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 71-40, including wins in four of the past six games. The Steelers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Steelers […]
Brady Tkachuk injury update: Senators captain will miss 6-8 weeks after thumb surgery
Getty Images The Ottawa Senators will be without captain Brady Tkachuk for 6-8 weeks while he recovers from thumb surgery on his right hand, the team announced. Tkachuk suffered the injury in the Senators' home-opener against the Nashville Predators on Monday.In the first period of the Sens' home-opener, Tkachuk was cross-checked into the boards by Predators defenseman Roman Josi, who was assessed a minor penalty on the play. Tkachuk returned to the game in a limited capacity, but he was noticeably absent when Ottawa pushed to tie the game late. After further evaluation, it was determined that Tkachuk needed surgery to repair the thumb. He now faces an extended absence, and the Senators have to stay afloat without one of their best players.The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk evolved into one of the best players […]
Wechsel-Kracher – Deutscher Handball-Trainer nach Los Angeles
Bei diesem Angebot musste Frank Carstens (54) nicht lange nachdenken, ob er es annimmt. Der aktuelle vereinslose Coach (zuletzt HSG Wetzlar) wechselt über den großen Teich und geht in die Vereinigten Staaten.Deutscher Handball-Trainer nach Los Angeles!Spiel eskaliert: Brutale Massen-Schlägerei beim Handball<!-->[-->Quelle: Instagram/PallamanoAretusa15.10.2025Carstens wird für vorerst drei Turniere den 2001 gegründeten Los Angeles Handball Club übernehmen. Das Team aus der kalifornischen Metropole will die California Eagles überflügeln. Jene California Eagles, die zuletzt beim Super Globe in Kairo Gruppengegner des SC Magdeburg waren.Besitzer und Präsident des LA-Teams ist mit Lewis Howes (42) ein ehemaliger Handball-Nationalspieler der USA. Howes hat sich in den Vereinigten Staaten auch einen erstklassigen Ruf als Buchautor erarbeitet, sein Instagram-Account hat aktuell 4,6 Millionen Follower. Foto: BILD<!-->]-->Für Carstens beginnt das Abenteuer bereits nächste Woche mit einem ersten Turnier in Chicago. Das zweite Turnier steigt vom 5. bis 7. Dezember […]
2025 CFL picks, betting odds, predictions: Proven expert reveals predictions for every Week 20 game
Three teams remain in contention for two playoff spots when Week 20 of the 2025 CFL season takes place this weekend. One of those clubs is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who kick off the week by hosting the West Division champion Saskatchewan Roughriders at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.Winnipeg (8-8) can clinch a postseason berth with a victory against Saskatchewan (12-4) and a loss by the Edmonton Elks, who visit BC Place to take on the BC Lions at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The Blue Bombers have struggled of late as their 25-20 setback at Edmonton last week was their fourth loss in six games.The Roughriders defeated the Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in Week 19 for their second straight win and are 2-0 against Winnipeg this year despite having trailed by 10 points in each meeting. […]
Papers: Fernandes misses training ahead of Liverpool clash
The top stories and football transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUE Bruno Fernandes is one of four Manchester United players to have missed training ahead of this weekend's trip to Liverpool - The Metro.Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admitted it will be hard for the Reds to retain the Premier League title this season despite their summer expenditure - The Mirror. Image: The back page of Friday's Daily Mirror Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo are set to undergo late fitness tests ahead of Chelsea's game against Nottingham Forest - The Express. Bryan Mbeumo has been trying to convince Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to join Manchester United. - The Sun. Graham Potter is in contention for the Sweden job, with the former West Ham boss keen on the role - talkSPORT. Luton Town's appointment of Jack Wilshere […]
Paul George injury update: 76ers star not expected to play in season opener, but return reportedly not far off
Paul George is not expected to play in the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener Wednesday against the Boston Celtics and still "has some checkmarks he has to hit" in his return to play following the left arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent in the offseason, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.The nine-time All Star's return could come in the not-too-distant future -- "shortly into the regular season," per Charania -- and he participated in some five-on-five action in Thursday's practice."We are trying to get him through the thresholds of five-on-zero to some smaller-numbered live action yesterday, and then he jumped into a bit of five-on-five live today," coach Nick Nurse said Thursday. "Just trying to keep moving him in the right direction."When asked if there's optimism about George's potential availability for the season opener, Nurse seemed skeptical."Nah," Nurse said. "Yesterday was his first day […]
Related
Thursday Night Football prediction, odds, spread, line: Steelers vs. Bengals picks from expert on 36-18 run
Teams trending in opposite directions clash when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a key AFC North matchup on 'Thursday Night Football.' Pittsburgh is coming off a 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, while Cincinnati dropped a 27-18 decision at Green Bay. The Steelers (4-1), who have won three in a row, are 2-0 on the road this season. The Bengals (2-4), second in the division, have lost four consecutive games since losing quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) to injury. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is a game-time decision after missing practice this week, while Pittsburgh WR Calvin Austin (shoulder) is out.Kickoff from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 71-40, including wins in four of the past six games. The Steelers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Steelers […]
Brady Tkachuk injury update: Senators captain will miss 6-8 weeks after thumb surgery
Getty Images The Ottawa Senators will be without captain Brady Tkachuk for 6-8 weeks while he recovers from thumb surgery on his right hand, the team announced. Tkachuk suffered the injury in the Senators' home-opener against the Nashville Predators on Monday.In the first period of the Sens' home-opener, Tkachuk was cross-checked into the boards by Predators defenseman Roman Josi, who was assessed a minor penalty on the play. Tkachuk returned to the game in a limited capacity, but he was noticeably absent when Ottawa pushed to tie the game late. After further evaluation, it was determined that Tkachuk needed surgery to repair the thumb. He now faces an extended absence, and the Senators have to stay afloat without one of their best players.The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Tkachuk evolved into one of the best players […]
Wechsel-Kracher – Deutscher Handball-Trainer nach Los Angeles
Bei diesem Angebot musste Frank Carstens (54) nicht lange nachdenken, ob er es annimmt. Der aktuelle vereinslose Coach (zuletzt HSG Wetzlar) wechselt über den großen Teich und geht in die Vereinigten Staaten.Deutscher Handball-Trainer nach Los Angeles!Spiel eskaliert: Brutale Massen-Schlägerei beim Handball<!-->[-->Quelle: Instagram/PallamanoAretusa15.10.2025Carstens wird für vorerst drei Turniere den 2001 gegründeten Los Angeles Handball Club übernehmen. Das Team aus der kalifornischen Metropole will die California Eagles überflügeln. Jene California Eagles, die zuletzt beim Super Globe in Kairo Gruppengegner des SC Magdeburg waren.Besitzer und Präsident des LA-Teams ist mit Lewis Howes (42) ein ehemaliger Handball-Nationalspieler der USA. Howes hat sich in den Vereinigten Staaten auch einen erstklassigen Ruf als Buchautor erarbeitet, sein Instagram-Account hat aktuell 4,6 Millionen Follower. Foto: BILD<!-->]-->Für Carstens beginnt das Abenteuer bereits nächste Woche mit einem ersten Turnier in Chicago. Das zweite Turnier steigt vom 5. bis 7. Dezember […]
2025 CFL picks, betting odds, predictions: Proven expert reveals predictions for every Week 20 game
Three teams remain in contention for two playoff spots when Week 20 of the 2025 CFL season takes place this weekend. One of those clubs is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who kick off the week by hosting the West Division champion Saskatchewan Roughriders at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.Winnipeg (8-8) can clinch a postseason berth with a victory against Saskatchewan (12-4) and a loss by the Edmonton Elks, who visit BC Place to take on the BC Lions at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The Blue Bombers have struggled of late as their 25-20 setback at Edmonton last week was their fourth loss in six games.The Roughriders defeated the Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in Week 19 for their second straight win and are 2-0 against Winnipeg this year despite having trailed by 10 points in each meeting. […]
Papers: Fernandes misses training ahead of Liverpool clash
The top stories and football transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUE Bruno Fernandes is one of four Manchester United players to have missed training ahead of this weekend's trip to Liverpool - The Metro.Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admitted it will be hard for the Reds to retain the Premier League title this season despite their summer expenditure - The Mirror. Image: The back page of Friday's Daily Mirror Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo are set to undergo late fitness tests ahead of Chelsea's game against Nottingham Forest - The Express. Bryan Mbeumo has been trying to convince Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba to join Manchester United. - The Sun. Graham Potter is in contention for the Sweden job, with the former West Ham boss keen on the role - talkSPORT. Luton Town's appointment of Jack Wilshere […]
Paul George injury update: 76ers star not expected to play in season opener, but return reportedly not far off
Paul George is not expected to play in the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener Wednesday against the Boston Celtics and still "has some checkmarks he has to hit" in his return to play following the left arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent in the offseason, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.The nine-time All Star's return could come in the not-too-distant future -- "shortly into the regular season," per Charania -- and he participated in some five-on-five action in Thursday's practice."We are trying to get him through the thresholds of five-on-zero to some smaller-numbered live action yesterday, and then he jumped into a bit of five-on-five live today," coach Nick Nurse said Thursday. "Just trying to keep moving him in the right direction."When asked if there's optimism about George's potential availability for the season opener, Nurse seemed skeptical."Nah," Nurse said. "Yesterday was his first day […]
Be the first to leave a comment