Rangers look set to appoint Kevin Muscat as the new head coach, bringing an end to a turbulent and poorly managed search for Russell Martin’s successor. The Australian, currently in charge of Shanghai Port, has emerged as the clear front-runner after Steven Gerrard and Danny Röhl withdrew from contention — but this whole saga has left plenty of fans questioning the planning (or lack thereof) behind the process.
A Search That’s Exposed Poor Preparation
Let’s be honest — this recruitment process has been a shambles. The warning signs around Martin’s tenure were flashing red for weeks, yet it’s felt like the club were caught completely off guard by his departure. Whether the board intended to stick with him or not, there should always have been a Plan B ready to go. That’s just basic football management, and it reflects poorly on the current leadership setup that things have dragged on like this.
Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell has spoken a big game about structure and long-term vision, but since the beginning of the season has shown very little of either. Fans expect Rangers to act decisively and with authority — not to be scrambling across time zones trying to convince coaches to take the job. It’s not good enough for a club of our stature.
Media Leaks and Fan Reactions
What’s also become clear through this process is the club’s tendency to leak names to the media before decisions are finalised — seemingly to take a temperature check of fan opinion. When Danny Röhl’s name surfaced, it was met with a largely negative reaction from supporters who questioned his experience and suitability for the Ibrox hot seat. Yet many believe Röhl was the board’s preferred candidate, and when fan sentiment didn’t align with that vision, Muscat re-emerged as the frontrunner — a move that has been received far more positively.
After getting the Russell Martin appointment so badly wrong and with attendance numbers at Ibrox dipping, the hierarchy can hardly be blamed for wanting to gauge supporter feeling before pressing ahead. But this kind of decision-making by popularity poll was not the level of leadership promised when the current regime took over. It smacks of uncertainty rather than conviction.
As for Steven Gerrard, his withdrawal was a major blow both for the club and the fans. Having already gained strong backing from the support, his decision to step away left many disheartened — and underlined how far the club’s credibility has slipped in the eyes of potential managers.
Muscat the Front-Runner
With Gerrard and Röhl stepping aside, Muscat quickly became the leading candidate. Talks have accelerated in recent days, with Chairman Andrew Cavenagh, Paraag Marathe, and 49ers Enterprises technical director Gretar Steinsson all involved in trying to finalise terms and a seven-figure compensation deal to release Muscat from his current post.
Muscat, of course, is no stranger to Ibrox. He was part of the treble-winning squad under Alex McLeish in 2003 and has since built a strong managerial CV — winning titles in Australia, Japan, and now China. Shanghai Port are on the verge of another league crown, and it’s expected he’ll remain in post until their season ends on November 22, before making the move back to Glasgow.
A Manager Who Won’t Be Pushed Around
If there’s one thing that stands out about Muscat, it’s his fire. He’s a leader who demands standards, both from players and from those above him. His fall-out with St. Truiden’s hierarchy came after he accused the club of undermining the squad — something that will ring alarm bells for anyone following the situation at Rangers.
That fiery side could quickly put him on a collision course with Kevin Thelwell, whose influence so far appears to outweigh everyone else at the club. Thelwell’s insistence on control has already raised eyebrows, particularly when it seems to come at the detriment of the playing squad. If Muscat arrives, there’s every chance those two strong personalities will clash — and frankly, that might not be a bad thing if it means someone starts standing up for the football side of this club.
What Happens Next
In the meantime, Steven Smith may be asked to take charge of the first team against Dundee United this weekend, with Neil McCann tipped to join Muscat’s coaching staff once the deal is complete. Muscat will inherit a demanding schedule — with a Europa League trip to Brann, crucial league matches against Kilmarnock and Hibernian, and the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Celtic on the horizon.
Rangers fans want clarity, leadership, and a sense of direction. Muscat’s appointment could bring that — but only if the people above him let him get on with the job.
- Rangers at Rock Bottom: Röhl Faces Reality After Brann Humbling
- Kevin Thelwell defends son’s appointment – but Rangers fans aren’t buying it
- Danny Röhl Arrives at Ibrox: A New Era Begins for Rangers
- Rangers’ Fragile Mentality Exposed Again as Dundee United Snatch a Draw at Ibrox
- Steven Smith Takes the Helm: Fresh Approach, Familiar Fight as Rangers Face Dundee United
💙 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates, live reactions, and more fan coverage.
📲 Don’t forget to like and share! #Rangers #RangersFC #ScottishPremiership