Liam Duckstein
Rodgers: Celtic will be ready if Kevin Muscat takes the Rangers job
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic will be prepared for the challenge if Kevin Muscat is appointed as the new manager of Rangers. Muscat, 52, is close to agreeing terms with the Ibrox club while personal details are being finalised.
Muscat is currently manager of Shanghai Port, who are closing in on consecutive Chinese Super League titles. He has also won league trophies with Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F. Marinos.
Rodgers made his comments ahead of Celtic’s Premiership trip to Dundee on Sunday.
“I think every team that changes manager, you accept and take on the challenge of new ideas and that freshness that they may bring.”
Rodgers said he does not know Muscat well but has crossed paths with him as a coach on several occasions. He referenced a July 2023 meeting when Celtic lost 6-4 to Muscat’s Yokohama F. Marinos.
“I don’t know Kevin that well, but I came across him a few times when I was at Liverpool. He came in to training when I was manager at Liverpool and I spent some time with him there. And then, of course, when we travelled over to Australia with Liverpool and met him and Ange when I was there. So yeah, as I said, I don’t know him that well, but he’s done a really good job in the teams that he’s been at in Asia and if he’s to be the new manager coming in, it’s another new challenge, and as I said, for us, we’ll be ready for it.”
The context for Muscat’s likely arrival is the abrupt dismissal of Russell Martin, who was sacked after 123 days in charge. Martin left his final match at the Falkirk Stadium under a police escort following a 1-1 draw and was dismissed hours later.
“You’re always disappointed when any manager loses his job and Russell will be no different. It was a challenge that he’ll learn from in his career, he’s got many more years left as a coach and a manager and I’ve always said, when you manage here at Celtic or Rangers, the pressure really is relentless. And you find out things about yourself in this role, in this job, and I’m sure he will have done that. I wish him all the best and he’ll probably have a bit of time out and then look to go again and use this experience.”
Rodgers offered a measured response — recognising the strain of the Old Firm jobs while signalling Celtic will prepare for whatever style Muscat brings to Ibrox.
What next
Talks over Muscat’s move continue as Rangers finalise details. Celtic will turn their focus to the league trip to Dundee, knowing a new opponent may soon arrive at their oldest rival.