KEVIN MUSCAT has emerged as a serious contender for the Rangers job.
SunSport can reveal the former Ibrox defender is still being considered by Ibrox chiefs along with frontrunner Danny Rohl.
Muscat, 52, is now in charge of Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port.
His team are top of the table and currently involved in a thrilling title race with four games to go in their league season which ends at the end of next month.
That has complicated discussions over his future.
But club sources have told SunSport the former Australia international is ‘admired’ by the Ibrox hierarchy – even though he’s not available immediately.
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German Rohl is still in the frame for the job having impressed in talks.
We broke the news that he’s already started looking at ex-Gers stars who could become part of his backroom staff.
But Muscat is now being discussed as a real rival to replace sacked Russell Martin even though he may not be available for a number of weeks.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe are under huge pressure to make the right choice.
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But they’re refusing to be rushed into an appointment.
Former hardman defender Muscat – who played at Ibrox for a season between 2002 and 2003 – would be a more popular choice amongst the club’s supporters than Rohl.
He is far more experienced having had spells in charge of clubs in Australia, Belgium, Japan and now China.
He’s never coached in the UK but has applied for various jobs in the past – and been linked with Rangers down the years.
Gers chiefs are NOT expected to make any decision today as they weigh up their options.
Steven Gerrard pulled out of the running at the weekend after deciding it wasn’t the right time for him to return to Rangers.
There’s been a suggestion Gerrard has been back in contention but SunSport understands that isn’t the case.
Graham Potter, Gary O’Neil, Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna, Raphael Wicky and Slaven Bilic have all been linked with the job.
But none of those names are being considered.
It’s believed Rohl and Muscat are NOT the only other contenders with Ibrox chiefs Cavenagh and Marathe exploring various options as they bid to get their next appointment right.
Gers face Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday.
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Under-19 coach Steven Smith will continue to oversee first-team training while the club continues the search for Russell Martin‘s successor.
The 40-year-old is joined by B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen.
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