Rangers have been linked with Kevin Muscat and pundit Michael Bridges believes that he is a strong contender for the job.
Michael Beale was sacked on Sunday night and the rumour mill has been churning ever since.
A host of managers have been linked with Rangers in recent days, from Frank Lampard to Derek McInnes.
Rangers won’t rush into a decision here; the international break is just days away and that gives the Gers a perfect window to assess a host of candidates.
Targets are already emerging though and Yokohama F. Marinos boss Kevin Muscat appears to be a prime contender.
Rangers links to Kevin Muscat ramping up
Muscat’s name has been prominent for days now, almost immediately emerging after Beale’s sacking.
TalkSPORT claimed on Monday that Muscat wanted to speak to Rangers whilst The Daily Record suggested that he had shelved new contract talks with Yokohama F. Marinos to leave himself open for the Rangers job.
Herald reporter Chris Jack has now suggested on the Rangers Review Daily Briefing (04/10) that Muscat has a Zoom interview arranged with Rangers.
That was just one source suggesting that development but Muscat certainly appears to be in the picture.
A former Rangers defender in his playing days, Muscat won the J1 League title in 2022 and may have the mentality the Gers board are seeking.
Michael Bridges comments on Muscat to Rangers
The rumours are making headlines in Australia with pundit Michael Bridges – a former Premier League striker with Leeds United – offering his take.
The ex-Newcastle Jets ace suggested to Optus Sport that Muscat is doing simply ‘unbelievable’ things in Japan right now.
Bridges hailed Muscat for continuing Ange Postecoglou’s work at Yokohama F. Marinos, believing that doors are now opening for Australian coaches.
Bridges added that Muscat will ‘definitely’ receive an interview for the Rangers job, and even thinks that Postecoglou would love for him to earn a move to Ibrox – even if he wouldn’t say it publicly.
“He’s doing unbelievable things at Yokohama F. Marinos, he’s followed Ange Postecoglou from Melbourne Victory. He went to Japan. He’s continued the trend there,” said Bridges. “Obviously what Ange Postecoglou did at Celtic winning the treble last season and then going to the Premier League, there’s a lot of Aussie coaches that have been given the green light where they’re on the other clubs’ radars and boards are thinking, hang on, the Australian coaches have got so much to offer.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Muscy (at Rangers), he’d definitely be getting interviewed for it, no doubt, or they’ll be trying to get hold of him.”
“I don’t think you’ll see Ange come out and publicly say, ‘Oh yeah, this is a great move. I wish him all the best’ because it’ll be Rangers and then Ange’s legacy at Celtic will be absolutely tarnished. So I think Ange is a very smart man. You know that. He’ll be rooting for Kevin Muscat to get the job and come back over here,” he added.
