Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says that he is ready to take on Kevin Muscat as the Australian looks set to be announced as the new Rangers.
Muscat, currently managing in China with Shanghai Port, is said to be close to agreeing a deal which would see him move to Ibrox at the close of the Chinese domestic season, with his side retaining their two point lead at the summit today with a 4-3 win away at Qingdao Hainiu.
Steven Gerrard turned down the opportunity to take the reigns in Govan for a second time, and former Sheffield Wednesday gaffer Danny Rohl pulled himself out of contention earlier this weekend. Muscat, who won a treble with Rangers as a player, is now the firm favourite to replace axed Russell Martin and become the NINTH Rangers manager to be in the opposing dugout from Rodgers across his two spells at Celtic.
“I don’t know him that well, but I came across him a few times when I was at Liverpool.” Rodgers said at his press conference.
“He’s done a really good job in the teams that he’s been at in Asia, and if he’s to be the new manager coming in, it’s another challenge and as I said for us, we’ll be ready for it.”
Muscat has won league titles in Australia with Melbourne Victory, and in Far-East Asia with Yokohama Marinos of Japan, and current side Shanghai Port of China.
The Chinese season ends in 4 weeks, with Muscat expected to arrive after then with Neil McCann as his assistant. Steven Smith will take charge of the Light Blues fixture at home to Dundee United this weekend as Rangers sit eighth in the table with eight points, nine behind rivals Celtic and eleven behind league leaders Hearts.
