Former Millwall hardman Kevin Muscat has emerged as the new favourite to take over at Rangers.
The Shanghai Port boss has overtaken Danny Rohl in the betting to become the next permanent manager at Ibrox, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also making significant ground in recent days.
Muscat Leads The Pack
Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat is now priced at 11/10 to land the job, edging ahead of Solskjaer, who has shortened dramatically from 12/1 to 4/1. Danny Rohl, who was previously the odds-on favourite, has drifted to 5/1 following fresh reports of uncertainty within the Ibrox boardroom.
Slaven Bilic and Derek McInnes both sit at 9/1, while any other candidate is currently priced at 11/1 or longer. The shift marks a significant swing in the market over the past 24 hours, as attention returns to Muscat, a man who knows the club, the fans, and the demands of life at Ibrox.
Timing Could Prove Key
Muscat, currently head coach of Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port, is guiding his team through the final stretch of their title defence. His side sit narrowly ahead of Chengdu Rongcheng and Shanghai Shenhua, with four matches left in the campaign.
Victory in those remaining fixtures would secure back-to-back domestic titles and add to a growing managerial résumé that already includes league championships in Australia, Japan, and China.
The earliest date Muscat could feasibly depart Shanghai is October 26, depending on the outcome of the title race. However, Rangers are believed to want a swift appointment as they look to stabilise after a turbulent spell following the departure of Russell Martin.
A Career Steeped in Controversy and Success
Muscat, 52, remains a divisive figure from his playing days, known for his uncompromising style during spells with Millwall, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Rangers. Yet since retiring, he has transformed his reputation through an impressive coaching career marked by attacking, high-intensity football.
After succeeding Ange Postecoglou at both Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F. Marinos, he led the latter to the 2022 J1 League title before moving to Shanghai Port in December 2023. Under his management, the club went on to win the 2024 Chinese Super League and Chinese FA Cup double.
Muscat has previously stated that he demands “belief” in his football philosophy wherever he goes, a sentiment that would resonate strongly at a club like Rangers.
Writer’s View
Muscat’s rise to the top of the betting market is no surprise. He has evolved from a fierce on-field enforcer into a modern, tactically astute coach capable of delivering success in multiple countries. His familiarity with Rangers adds another layer of intrigue, though the timing of his Chinese season may complicate any immediate move.
Should Shanghai Port clinch the title by late October, a return to Ibrox could swiftly follow. For a club searching for both identity and authority, Muscat’s mix of discipline, energy, and experience might make him the perfect fit.
