As the pressure mounts on the Rangers board to make the Ibrox side’s next manager appointment, the club’s hierarchy are taking a breath.
Reports of murmurs of discontent have been dispelled with the latest suggesting those at the top of Rangers are yet to make their mind up on anyone almost two weeks on since the sacking of Michael Beale.
At the same time, reports are suggesting that this week James Bisgrove and John Bennett were in London preparing their final interviews for the vacant managerial role.
There has been interest aplenty; several high profile names south of the border have came and went with Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Scott Parker, John Eustace and Ryan Lowe all making their way through the press round-ups.
The Rangers board however appear to have settled on four names, with two of those in particular seemingly leading the hunt to be the next Ibrox manager.
Reports have suggested that one of those – Dutch coach Pascal Jansen – is looking more likely to remain at AZ Alkmaar than move to Ibrox.
Currently second in the Eredivisie and in with a fighting chance against PSV Eindhoven, the English-born coach has done a solid job in the Netherlands but his trophy cabinet looks a little empty.
There are doubts that the other outsider, Austrian coach Oliver Glasner, has even been contacted by the club but as Rangers have quashed rumours around other so-called contenders, they’ve been decidedly quiet about the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss.
Having won the Europa League at the expense of Rangers, the Ibrox board are well aware of the manager who had Frankfurt punching above their weight domestically and in Europe.
Manager pair appear favourites of Rangers board
As the Rangers board assess their options, it appears that it’ll be one of either Australian manager Kevin Muscat or current favourite Philippe Clement who takes over at Ibrox.
Whilst ex-Rangers star Kevin Muscat certainly appears focused on Yokohama F Marinos, the manager remains a frontrunner and he certainty ticks a lot of boxes.
A manager in the mould of fellow Aussie and reluctantly successful ex-Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, Rangers fans would get the aggressive football they so crave.
A winner with Melbourne Victory and with Yokohama F Marinos, a failed stint with Sint Truiden in Belgium hangs over the manager, as does his similarity with ex-Parkhead coach Postecoglou.
Philippe Clement is a relative unknown in Scottish terms but boasts a bumper pedigree which could have top clubs turning their heads at Rangers.
A three time Belgian Pro League winner between KRC Genk and Club Brugge, the manager put the foundations in at the latter to become a regular Champions League club.
Having spent what turned out to be an unsuccessful season at AS Monaco, it shows that Philippe Clement is turning heads in the biggest leagues in Europe.
As the Rangers board take a breath before deciding on the club’s new manager, fans are waiting patiently on who will lead them at a crucial time in the club’s history.
Celtic sit on 53 titles, two behind Rangers’ 55, and are now only two trophies off Rangers’ record haul of 118.
Whoever comes in now will either stream away from Celtic in the trophy stakes or oversee the club relinquishing their moniker as the world’s most successful team to their bitterest rivals.
No wonder they’re taking the Rangers board are taking their time about it.
