Sir Alex Ferguson Endorse New Rangers Manager in a Surprising Move from 49ers

Kevin Muscat Emerges as Leading Candidate for Rangers Manager Role Amid Interim Plans

Rangers are reportedly edging closer to appointing Kevin Muscat as their new manager, with the former player and current Shanghai Port head coach now widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Russell Martin.

The club’s search for a new boss accelerated following Steven Gerrard’s surprising decision to turn down the Rangers job over the weekend, forcing directors Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe to reconsider their options. Sources close to the club suggest Muscat has moved to the top of the list, although no formal agreement has yet been reached.

Muscat’s arrival at Ibrox, however, is unlikely to be immediate. The 49-year-old is contracted to Shanghai Port and is expected to see out the Chinese Super League season before taking charge at Rangers, potentially not until late November.

This delay presents a challenge for Rangers, who have endured a difficult start to the campaign and are eager for stability at the helm. Yet, the club has reportedly identified a solution to bridge the managerial gap in the meantime: former Rangers player and coach Neil McCann is being lined up as interim manager, with the possibility of joining Muscat’s backroom team once the new appointment is made permanent.

Neil McCann as Interim: A Logical Bridge

The prospect of McCann stepping in temporarily has been met with cautious optimism within the Rangers community. Derek Ferguson, brother of former caretaker manager Barry Ferguson, has spoken exclusively to Ibrox News endorsing the idea.

“If Muscat can only come in in a month’s time, well you have someone like Neil McCann who only recently worked here as a coach alongside Barry,” Ferguson said. “That scenario worked because Barry was a figurehead who had to stand in front of the press, but Neil did a lot of hard work on the training ground as well.”

Ferguson believes McCann’s past managerial experience makes him well-suited to handle the interim period. “So if McCann takes over for a month or so, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. Would the fans feel the same way? You have to remember McCann has been a manager in his own right.”

McCann’s managerial track record includes a season in charge of Dundee during the 2017-18 campaign and a brief spell as interim boss at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2021. Ferguson added: “He did an okay job at Dundee. When he speaks, people listen, and he’s not someone you’d mess with. If that’s the scenario, I would have no problem with that.”

The experienced Scot’s familiarity with Rangers, combined with his coaching credentials, make him a sensible choice to maintain continuity and calm during a turbulent period.

Kevin Muscat: Familiar Face, Proven Winner

Muscat has long been linked with the Rangers managerial vacancy, a possibility that has surfaced multiple times in recent years but never fully materialised. This time around, however, the club appears ready to back the Australian, who brings a blend of intimate knowledge of Rangers’ culture and extensive coaching experience overseas.

“He has always been in the picture when Rangers have been looking for a manager over the past three or four years now,” Ferguson reflected. “He’s another who knows the club and has good contacts; he’s also won a few things in China.”

Muscat’s playing career at Rangers, spanning 2005 to 2011, earned him significant respect for his tenacity and leadership on the pitch. Now, as a manager, his CV includes stints at Melbourne Victory, Sint-Truiden, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Shanghai Port, where he has demonstrated his ability to win trophies and manage in challenging environments.

As Ferguson put it: “As a player we know exactly what he was like – you don’t mess with him. You’d imagine that’s the type of manager he is as well. So he’s a name that cries out to me.”

Managing Expectations and Looking Ahead

The appointment of Muscat is viewed by many as a positive step for Rangers, offering the promise of stability, tactical discipline, and an understanding of the club’s identity. His anticipated late arrival does pose short-term challenges, but the interim solution of McCann could provide a steady hand to guide the squad through the coming weeks.

Rangers supporters will be eager to see swift progress and a return to form, as the club battles to regain momentum domestically and in Europe. If Muscat can replicate his success in Asia on Scottish soil, the club’s ambitions of challenging Celtic and reclaiming their place at the summit of Scottish football may well be realised.

For now, the focus remains on securing Muscat’s signature and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, hopeful that this appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Rangers.