Glasgow Rangers need to find the next head coach to carry the club and the new ownership forward after Russell Martin was relieved of his duties from the Ibrox hot seat on Sunday night.
It is hard to make a case for the former Scotland’s international’s defence, because the statistics around his short time at Rangers paint a pretty clear picture.
Martin’s Gers conceded 24 goals in 17 games and won just five times, including once in the Scottish Premiership, which is why it is hard to argue against the decision to part ways with him heading into the international break.
Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell must, though, get this next appointment right to get the Ibrox supporters back on side, and to get Rangers’ season back on track.
Rangers eyeing move for title-winning manager
After Martin, a manager who had never won a top-flight title in his playing or managerial career, the Gers may turn to a proven winner to bring success back to the club.
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According to Football Insider, the Light Blues have identified four managers who are not the frontrunners to replace Martin in the dugout for the clash with Dundee United after the break.
The report claims that Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl, and Kevin Muscat are the four head coaches in the running to land the job at Ibrox.
Muscat, who played for the club in 2002, is an interesting contender for the vacant position because he could be an upgrade on Martin and Rangers’ own version of Ange Postecoglou.
Why Rangers should appoint Kevin Muscat
Journalist Gavin Berry recently compared the English-born boss to the former Celtic manager, who worked with Postecoglou as his assistant at Melbourne Victory.
The reporter said: “I just think the style that he plays, similar to Postecoglou, obviously worked under him. We know it works in the Premiership. I think he’s someone who could take a squad and get the most out of it.”
Postecoglou, of course, won two Premiership titles in two seasons with the Hoops, including a domestic treble in his second campaign, with his high-octane, exciting, brand of football.
Muscat’s managerial record since going down his own path as a head coach suggests that he could bring similar success to Ibrox as a big upgrade on Martin in the dugout at Rangers, as he has shown that he can win titles.
2025 (26)
2.19
1st
2024 (30)
2.60
1st
2023 (34)
1.88
2nd
2022 (34)
2.00
1st
2021 (18)
1.83
2nd
As you can see in the table above, he has won a league title in two of the last three seasons, and is on course for a third title in four seasons unless Rangers can convince him to make the move to Ibrox.
He won the J1 League with Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2022 campaign and currently manages SH Port, which is the club he joined at the start of the 2024 season.
His impressive league form in Japan and China shows that he would come in as an upgrade on Martin, because Muscat has proven that he can instill a winning mentality in multiple countries and leagues.
Muscat, who has won seven trophies (Transfermarkt) in his managerial career, knows what it takes to win trophies and to win titles, which is exactly what the Gers need in this moment in time.
Rangers have not won a trophy since Philippe Clement lifted the League Cup in 2023, but the SH Port boss could bring glory back to Ibrox as the 49ers’ own version of Postecoglou.
It is now down to Stewart and Thelwell to convince Muscat to move on from the Chinese club, in spite of his side being on the verge of winning a league title.