Liam Duckstein
Kevin Muscat the leading candidate to take charge at Rangers
Rangers have held talks with a number of managerial candidates but Kevin Muscat has emerged as the front-runner to replace Russell Martin.
The 52-year-old Australian, who wore Rangers colours in the early 2000s, is currently manager of Chinese side Shanghai Port. Conversations between the club and Muscat are understood to have taken place, though Ibrox officials stress no deal is done and other targets remain under consideration.
If an agreement were reached, Muscat would likely not be available to start until the end of the Chinese season on 22 November. Reports name former Rangers midfielder Neil McCann as a possible interim manager until Muscat can finish his commitments in Asia.
Why Muscat is being considered
As a player Muscat was part of Rangers’ domestic treble in 2002–03, making 26 appearances that season. His coaching CV includes league titles in three countries: with Melbourne Victory in Australia, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and with Shanghai Port in China.
He is capped 46 times by Australia and had spells in England with Crystal Palace, Wolves and Millwall. As a manager his record across Australia, Japan and China shows a 54% win rate, teams averaging 1.9 goals scored and conceding 1.2 per game.
Last season Muscat’s Shanghai Port scored 96 goals in a 30-game league campaign and he is close to another title there, with his side top of the table and four matches to play, two points clear.
Mixed European spell and temperament
Not every chapter has been smooth. A six-month stint at Belgian club Sint-Truiden ended in December 2020 after just two wins from 14 games. Muscat called the ending “disappointing and unfortunate,” and said more time might have produced different results.
During a long playing career he earned a reputation for his combative style. That image has softened as a coach, something the club hierarchy and supporters will weigh alongside his recent success abroad.
“The Ibrox side would be getting someone with ‘presence’ who ‘understands the league, the intensity, the rivalry and how to get the job done,'” said former team-mate Neil McCann when Muscat was linked previously.
Context at Ibrox
Rangers have had a turbulent start to the season. After a takeover by a US-led consortium this summer, Russell Martin lasted just 123 days following a rough four months. The team sit eighth in the Scottish Premiership with one win in six games. They were knocked out of Champions League qualifying by Club Brugge, losing 9–1 on aggregate, and have also lost their opening two Europa League fixtures.
Steven Gerrard has ruled himself out of the managerial race, and while Muscat would likely be a popular appointment among many fans, it remains unclear how his front-foot style will translate to Scottish football.
Muscat’s record of winning titles in different countries is a clear selling point. Whether that experience, combined with his tough playing persona, is enough to steady Rangers this season is a question the club must resolve in the coming weeks.