Rangers are holding further talks with Kevin Muscat and his club Shanghai Port as they look to appoint a new head coach.

Sky Sports News revealed on Wednesday that the 52-year-old was emerging as the frontrunner for the job.

While Ibrox sources insist Muscat is not their only candidate, Rangers are locked in discussions with the Australian and his club, who are currently involved in a title race in China.

Muscat’s side are two points clear at the top of the table, with the last of their four remaining league games scheduled for November 22.

If compensation between the clubs and personal terms with Muscat are agreed, his current situation could mean he can’t depart for Ibrox until Shanghai Port’s title race concludes.

Rangers could then appoint an interim boss, with Neil McCann under consideration to take the reins temporarily before joining Muscat’s backroom team upon his arrival.

Muscat and McCann played together at Ibrox during Muscat’s only season at Rangers, as the club won a domestic treble in 2002/03.

McCann, who has been working on Sky Sports‘ Scottish Premiership coverage during this campaign, was part of Rangers’ interim setup last season under Barry Ferguson.

Muscat – who lost out on the Rangers job in 2023 to Philippe Clement – has won silverware as a boss in Australia, Japan, and China and is understood to have impressed the Rangers hierarchy.

Smith takes training ahead of Dundee Utd game

Rangers return to action on Saturday against Dundee United, with under-19 coach Steven Smith – who had two spells at Ibrox as a player – continuing to prepare the squad for that match.

It’s likely he could be in the dugout at Ibrox this weekend, after leading first-team training alongside B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen.

Rangers are eighth in the Scottish Premiership following Russell Martin’s 123-day tenure at the club.

Who else did Rangers speak to?

Former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard was among the candidates to replace Martin.

Despite constructive talks, Sky Sports News revealed on Saturday that Gerrard had pulled out of the process, with the timing of a possible move back to Glasgow thought to be an issue.

Danny Rohl – who was sounded by Rangers before they appointed Martin – was another option under consideration. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss was thought to have impressed Ibrox officials during talks but he withdrew from the race on Wednesday.

While he was keen to take over at Ibrox this week, it is believed he was aware others were ahead of him in the race.

Rangers had also sounded out the likes of ex-West Ham manager Graham Potter, former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Bo Svensson who was last at Union Berlin.

Who is leading the search?

Ibrox chairman Andrew Cavenagh – who led the US takeover of the club in the summer – and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe promised a “rigorous, thoughtful recruitment process” to find Martin’s successor.

They have been leading talks alongside 49ers Enterprises technical director Gretar Steinsson, Gers CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell,

While initial negotiations were in London, Cavenagh and co are back in America, with Thelwell and Stewart in Glasgow and Muscat in China – meaning time zones are adding a layer of complication to the process.

Rangers’ upcoming fixtures

• Dundee United (H) – Scottish Premiership – Saturday
• Brann (A) – Europa League – October 23
• Kilmarnock (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 26
• Hibernian (A) – Scottish Premiership – October 29 – live on Sky Sports
• Celtic (N) – League Cup semi-final – November 2
• Roma (H) – Europa League – November 6
• Dundee (A) – Scottish Premiership – November 9 – live on Sky Sports
• Livingston (H) – Scottish Premiership – November 22
• Braga (H) – Europa League – November 27
• Falkirk (H) – Scottish Premiership – November 30