Kevin Muscat to Rangers: Ibrox club close in on deal for Australian head coach

Rangers are closing in on a deal to make Kevin Muscat the club’s new head coach.

Talks have progressed after the Shanghai Port boss emerged as the frontrunner for the vacancy and he would succeed Russell Martin, who was sacked after a disastrous start to the season.

However, it is unlikely he would be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premiership match against Dundee United.

Even if discussions reach a positive conclusion, Muscat may not make the move to Ibrox until the Chinese league season ends next month. The team are currently two points clear at the top of the Chinese Super League with four games remaining.

Muscat, who has won league titles as manager in three different countries, spent the 2002/03 season at Rangers and helped the club win a treble under Alex McLeish.

Rangers’ new American owners are now keen to see the Australian return to Ibrox and bring sustained success to the club.

The 52-year-old, who also played for Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Millwall in the UK, has won titles with three different sides in three countries since beginning his managerial career in 2013.

That record has seen him become the favoured candidate days after Steven Gerrard pulled out of the running to become Rangers boss for a second time. Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl also withdrew from the process after discussions with the Ibrox hierarchy.

Muscat’s first job was at Melbourne Victory, where he succeeded Ange Postecoglou after his appointment to the Australia national team. In his first full season, he guided the club to an A-League Premiership-Championship double and was named as manager of the year.

The former defender followed his time in Melbourne with an unsuccessful six-month stint at Belgian side Sint- Truiden but moved to Japanese side Yokohama Marinos in 2021, again succeeding Postecoglou, and won the J-League title the following year.

In 2023, Muscat moved to Shanghai Port, winning a league and cup double in his first season.