Kevin Muscat is now the favourite for the Rangers job.
The Ibrox side sacked Russell Martin, were rejected by Steven Gerrard and were then strongly linked with Danny Rohl.
But their search could end up with Kevin Muscat, who enjoys a close personal relationship with Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou.
Muscat was Postecoglou’s assistant at Melbourne Victory before taking over from him in the main job – he repeated this process at Yokohama F. Marinos, successful on both occasions.
Now at Shanghai Port, he is under consideration for a switch to Ibrox, where he was once a player. And Simon Jordan, with whom his path has crossed, has raised the comparison.
Simon Jordan on Rangers target Kevin Muscat and Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou’s appointment at Celtic was as left-field as it gets.
Despite amassing significant pedigree in Asia, he was largely unknown in Europe, and his appointment came as a shock – it was ridiculed by some.
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Simon Jordan reacts live on talkSPORT radio show
Credit: YouTube/talkSPORT
Postecoglou’s success at Celtic has altered perspectives on Asian and Australian football in Scotland, evidenced by an influx of Japanese players at Celtic Park and elsewhere in Scotland.
It is also evidenced in Muscat being backed by many Rangers fans to be their new manager, having worked once in Europe, unsuccessfully.
Speaking on Muscat, Jordan said: “Well, I knew Kevin as a player. And he was a head-the-ball, wasn’t he. He was a nutjob, in lots of ways.
“But the performance of Kevin Muscat has to be looked at in isolation. Because he’s managed the same teams that Postecoglou has managed.
“And before Ange Postecoglou got the Celtic job, he managed the same team that Kevin Muscat [has managed], and to a lesser degree with lesser returns than Ange does.
“So if Ange’s credentials were considered to be something significant for Celtic, why wouldn’t Kevin Muscat’s?
“I don’t think you should make appointments of managers based on the fact that they once kicked a ball for you. I think that’s silly and playing to a gallery.
“So if you’re looking at his record, you’re saying ‘If it was good enough for Celtic to get Ange Postecoglou into their dugout years three-four-five years ago, then why wouldn’t it be good enough for Kevin Muscat when he’s managed the same teams?’”
Kevin Muscat vs Ange Postecoglou
Muscat’s success in Australia and Japan is reminiscent of Postecoglou’s, though he does not share his international experience.
Postecoglou has been a profound influence on Muscat, as he has said. Their styles of football, training and communication are all strongly similar – Scottish audiences will notice this if he takes the Ibrox job.
Unlike the former Celtic boss, he is also a known quantity in Scotland, as a player at least. He is a familiar name, with an established reputation (though not a very good one) as a player.
Will these factors be decisive in 49ers Enterprises’ decision, and will Muscat be the chosen one to take on Brendan Rodgers? We will likely find out in the next few days.