Former Wolves and Crystal Palace star ‘serious contender’ for Rangers job

A former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender has registered his interest in managing Rangers.

The Scottish Premiership giants are on the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with Michael Beale on Sunday night, ending his 10-month reign after leaving QPR.

The 43-year-old was sacked after the Gers lost 3-1 at Ibrox to Aberdeen on Saturday, leaving them seven points adrift of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic. Former Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton midfielder Steve Davis has been appointed as interim manager in the meantime as they search for a replacement.

Rangers are a big club and already there have been several names linked with the post, and now one former Wolves star is said to hold an interest. A report from talkSPORT claims that Muscat would be interested in holding discussions with the Glasgow club about becoming their new manager.

He is said to be a 'serious contender' and is currently managing Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan after succeeding now Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou.

It is reported by our sister website GlasgowWorld that they will take their time on their appointment, but that Muscat is one of three men they're interested in speaking to.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is someone else they're keen to speak to after a caretaker spell at Stamford Bridge, whilst ex-Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is also someone of interest.

Former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich meanwhile has backed Muscat to get the role. The 51-year-old said to Sky Sports News: "Kevin is a disciple of Ange Postecoglou from a coaching perspective.

“For those who remember him as a player, and I say this with the best intentions, the way he manages his football teams is completely opposite to the way he played as a player.

"He’s obviously played for Rangers before but he likes to play that style of football, that entertaining style of football but it also brings results. He’s probably a wee bit more harder at edge than Ange in terms of directness but he would be a great asset for Rangers because of that fact and what I’ve seen him do and the fact he’s a disciple of Ange.”

Muscat won the J.League in 2022, and was also successful with Melbourne Victory in Australia, winning the A-League back in 2018. He has been in management for 10-years, and his previous Rangers links could make him a suitable candidate for the role.

Born in Crawley, Muscat spent most of his career at Molineux, having joined from Crystal Palace in 1997. He made 201 appearances in four-and-a-half seasons in the Midlands, and during that time they spent their years in the First Division, which is now known as the Championship.

He departed in the summer of 2002 for Rangers, and made 29 appearances but moved on after just one season and joined Millwall, where he was an FA Cup runner-up.

Muscat returned to Australia where he began his playing career, and spent six seasons as a player at Melbourne Victory, becoming their caretaker manager and then getting the job on a permanent basis.