Kevin Muscat has pulled out of the running to be Rangers’ next manager as the saga to find Russell Martin’s replacement took a dramatic new twist.
The Australian was the Ibrox club’s preferred candidate after Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl withdrew from the running, and initial talks with the American owners last week were said to have gone well.
However, having then spoken with chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell over the weekend, the 52-year-old has opted to stay put at Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.
With the Chinese season not due to end until late November, it’s understood that both parties ultimately agreed that the deal – which could have seen the 52-year-old possibly miss a further seven Rangers matches – was impracticable.
While Rangers sources have shot down suggestions that Muscat wasn’t sure he would fit into the club’s recruitment model, the development nonetheless increases the heat around Stewart and Thelwell after failing to conclude a deal with a third prospective candidate.
Sources are adamant that the club have been in talks with other parties and remain confident that an appointment will be made in the coming days.
Australian Kevin Muscat has dramatically pulled out of the running to be Rangers manager
It had been suggested that Muscat’s former Rangers team-mate Neil McCann could have taken temporary charge of the team while the Australian finished up working in China.
With the deal off, though, it seems certain that interim boss Steven Smith will take charge of the side for the second time against Brann Bergen in the Europa League on Thursday.
Under-19s coach Smith acted as caretaker for the 2-2 Premiership draw with Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday.
