Rangers confirm interim coaching team for Premiership match against Dundee United as Kevin Muscat move continues

Former Rangers player Steven Smith will take charge of the Ibrox side against Dundee United this Saturday as the club continues to work towards naming a new head coach.

Rangers are closing in on a deal for Shanghai Port manager Kevin Muscat but with the team facing a Premiership match this weekend, plans have been put in place for the first team.

A brief statement published on social media read: “We can confirm Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen and Sal Bibbo will lead the men’s first-team for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match with Dundee United.”

Talks with Muscat have progressed after the Australian, who won a treble at Ibrox as a player, emerged as the frontrunner for the vacancy and he would succeed Russell Martin, who was sacked after a disastrous start to the season.

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 under Alex McLeish.

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