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Kevin Muscat, head coach of Shanghai Port(Image: VCG via Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe Australian is the clear frontrunner for the hot seat after Danny Rohl pulled out of the runningKevin Muscat, head coach of Shanghai Port(Image: VCG via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Shanghai Port boss Kevin Muscat<\/a> reportedly faces two major hurdles before arriving in the Ibrox hot seat.<\/p>\n Record Sport revealed that Muscat is inching closer to winning the race<\/a> to replace Russell Martin in the Ibrox hot seat.<\/p>\n Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl <\/a>impressed Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises during talks last week – but has now pulled out of the running.<\/a><\/p>\n Former Light Blues Treble-winner Muscat has entered into contract negotiations with the club\u2019s American owners – with Neil McCann in the frame to step into the dugout on an interim basis.<\/p>\n But with the path clear for Muscat to land the job – having previously been turned down in favour of Philippe Clement in 2023 – The Rangers Review<\/a> report that a move to Ibrox has been “complicated” by his position in China.<\/p>\n It is claimed that Rangers<\/a> face the prospect of paying a seven-figure compensation package to allow him to leave Shanghai behind as he remains under contract with the club.<\/p>\n Reports in China suggest the boss has a deal at Port until December 2026 on a deal that currently sees him earn between \u00a31.6million and \u00a32million.<\/p>\n Record Sport understands the Glasgow giants would have to pay out a compensation bill of around \u00a31.5m in order to terminate that deal – while Port have already started shaping a contingency plan should the boss depart.<\/a><\/p>\n Furthermore, Muscat will only be allowed to leave his the defending champions once back-to-back Chinese Super League crowns have been secured.<\/p>\n Muscat is four league fixtures away from the end of the campaign with dates against Qingdao Hainiu, Shandong Taishan, Zhejiang, and Dalian Zhixing in the calendar.<\/p>\n Port’s title rivals Chengdu Rongcheng and Shanghai Shenhua site two and three points respectively behind the table-toppers.<\/p>\n In theory, the title could be sealed by October 26 but that would require both challengers to lose their next two games while Muscat leads Port to back-to-back victories.<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> page and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/p>\n