Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has opened up on his admiration for fellow Australian Kevin Muscat amid suggestions that the one-time Rangers defender could return to Ibrox as Mick Beale’s replacement.
Just last week, Football Scotland played down reports suggesting that Rangers had ‘sounded out’ the 2003 Scottish Premiership champion. But that could soon change; the Ibrox hotseat starting to burn Beale’s backside, that insipid Old Firm derby defeat coming off the back of a damaging 5-1 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League qualifiers.
An expectant and underwhelmed fanbase is starting to turn. Boos rang out as Beale subbed off Kemar Roofe when Rangers needed a goal against Celtic.
And reports from the Daily Mail suggesting that Birmingham City’s John Eustace has been lined up as a potential successor only serve to cast further doubts on whether Beale will last long enough to celebrate his one-year anniversary in charge of the Glasgow giants.
Mick Beale is under pressure at Rangers
One former Gers ace, Alex Rae, has already suggested that Kevin Muscat should be under consideration by his old employers, highlighting the J-League winners’ medal he picked up over in Japan with Yokohama F Marinos as proof of the 50-year-old’s suitability for the role.
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Muscat succeeded Postecoglou at the helm of Yokohama F Marinos and also worked alongside the now-Tottenham boss for the Australia national team. Should the former follow in the latter’s footsteps in Europe, Postecoglou has no doubt that success will follow.
“Kevin is a good man. He’s doing very well in Japan,” Postecoglou, who guided Celtic to successive Premiership titles between 2021 and 2023, tells talkSPORT (12 September, 10.50am).
“Watch out for him. He will be another one who comes across, another Aussie that comes across here and breaks down some barriers.”
A difficult run ahead
Things won’t get much easier for Beale after the September international break. Rangers travel to St Johnston before facing La Liga giants Real Betis in the Europa League and high-flying Motherwell.