RANGERS have entered the final round of talks to make Kevin Muscat their new manager.
SunSport broke the exclusive news on Monday that the Shanghai Port boss had emerged as the leading contender to replace Russell Martin even though he cannot start at Ibrox immediately.
Now we can reveal discussions are at an advanced stage over the Aussie’s salary package and the seven-figure compensation fee that’s needed to lure him from the Chinese Super League leaders.
Ibrox chiefs are also working on his visa, as well as gaining dispensation from Uefa as Muscat, 52, passed his coaching badges outside Europe.
Gers youth team coach Stevie Smith will take charge of the first team for Saturday’s Premiership visit of Dundee United.
But ex-Gers star Smith doesn’t have a Uefa Pro Licence, and can’t remain in charge for Thursday night’s Europa League tie with Brann Bergen.
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As we first revealed, Light Blues chairman Andrew Cavenagh has now sanctioned the appointment of an interim boss to take over until Muscat arrives in Scotland, with Neil McCann in the frame.
Muscat, a Treble winner with Alex McLeish’s Gers in 2003, is currently involved in a title race with four games to go, which has complicated negotiations.
His team face Qingdao Hainiu at 11am UK time on Friday with their final league game on November 22.
Ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl was the front-runner after Steven Gerrard pulled out of talks last weekend.
But SunSport then broke the shock news on Monday that Muscat, who has won titles in three different countries, had emerged as the No 1 contender.
Rohl still hoped to land the job and we told how he was planning on appointing a former Gers star as part of his backroom staff.
But the German withdrew from negotiations on Wednesday after it became clear he wasn’t going to be named as Martin’s replacement.
By then Muscat had been pinpointed as Gers’ main target.
The former defender has been desperate for the Rangers job from the outset, but made it clear he couldn’t walk away from his current club before their season ended.
Cavenagh and his Ibrox deal makers were initially reluctant to wait.
But they have decided that Muscat is the right man and have stepped up talks to strike a deal.
He’s been a manager since 2013 when he took over from Ange Postecoglou at Melbourne Victory.
Muscat had six years there, winning the title, before a stint in Belgium with Sint-Truidense.
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He then joined Yokohama F.Marinos in 2021, winning the league a year later, before taking over at Shanghai Port who were champs last season.
His side are currently two points clear at the top of the Super League ahead of the run-in.
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