Rangers are facing renewed challenges in their search for a new manager following the recent dismissal of Russell Martin, whose 123-day tenure was marred by fan negativity. The club's hierarchy is under pressure to find a suitable replacement quickly, especially with the team currently trailing league leaders Hearts by 11 points and rivals Celtic by nine.
The search has been complicated by several high-profile candidates withdrawing from consideration. Initially, Steven Gerrard, who managed Rangers from 2018 to 2021, was a popular choice among fans and met with club officials to discuss a potential return. However, Gerrard ultimately decided that the timing was not right, delivering a public relations blow to the Ibrox hierarchy.
Adding to the setback, Danny Röhl, the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, has also withdrawn from the process. Röhl was reportedly under serious consideration, even before Martin's appointment in June. However, concerns arose within Ibrox that Röhl, with his limited experience as a first-team manager and lack of involvement in Scottish football, would not be well-received by the fans.
With Gerrard and Röhl out of the running, Rangers have reportedly turned their attention to Kevin Muscat, the current manager of Shanghai Port. Muscat, who had a brief stint as a Rangers player, was previously considered for the job in 2023 before Philippe Clement was appointed.
However, securing Muscat's services will not be straightforward. He is currently under contract with Shanghai Port, who are leading the Chinese Super League with only a few games remaining. His contract runs through the end of the year. Rangers would need to negotiate his release, and Muscat would likely have to take a pay cut to make the move to Glasgow. Despite these obstacles, Muscat is reportedly interested in managing in Britain and has maintained a connection with Rangers.
The Rangers board is under increased pressure to finalize an appointment, with the team's performance suffering and fan frustration growing. The club aims to clarify their short-term management plans soon, with a Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United looming. In the interim, Under 19s coach Stevie Smith has been placed in charge of first-team training. There are reports that McCann, who was part of Barry Ferguson's interim staff last season, may step in to manage the game against Dundee United. McCann was previously identified by Muscat as a potential assistant.
The situation remains fluid, and Rangers are expected to make a decision in the coming days. The appointment of a new manager is crucial to stabilize the team and regain ground in the league standings.
