By Alexander Cruickshanks

Since the sacking of Russell Martin Rangers are yet to appoint a new permanent manager with youth coach Steven Smith taking charge of their upcoming match against Dundee United. There has been several names in the running including Steven Gerrard, Danny Rohl, Slaven Bilic and the new favourite Kevin Muscat.

Since then Danny Rohl has turned Rangers down and he was the leading favourite. Now it looks like Kevin Muscat, with reports suggesting he has already agreed a deal with the club. I was at Ibrox on Tuesday and spoke to supporters to get their take on the situation.

David Edgar, host of the Heart and Hand Podcast, initially wanted Gerrard back at Rangers stating: “I thought Gerrard coming back would’ve been ideal for a number of reasons. I thought he would give the club an immediate galvanizing shot in the arm. He would’ve improved the atmosphere around in the club so in the short term i think he was absolutely ideal.”

David Edgar https://www.heartandhand.co.uk/

Gerrard did turn down Rangers for the second time in six months, but the way the narrative was portrayed in the media made it look as if Gerrard was signed sealed and delivered as the new manager.

David Marshall, a UWS graduate, writer for Inside Ibrox and a part of the Heart and Hand podcast said: “The first thing that jumps out to me is the inability to control the narrative from Rangers. As late as Friday afternoon it was being reported that it was all but done.”

David Marshall

The story is that Neil McCann would potentially take over as interim coach then move into Muscat’s backroom staff. Muscat would want to finish out the season at his current side Shanghai Port which means hew could miss eight fixtures including games against Brann, Roma and the all important Old Firm league cup semi final.

In terms of Muscat taking the role Edgar remarked: “Someone made a very interesting point to me about Muscat and it was that a lot of Rangers managers recently have been starting out or wanting to rebuild a career. Russell Martin and Phillipe Clement had been coming off the back of a sacking.

“A big difference here is you have a coach who isn’t coming off a sacking he’s coming off success. Regular and sustained success. There are of course things to consider on the other side of things which is the success has been outside Europe and he would need to perhaps adapt to the different demands

“I am excited by that, the fact that you’re bringing in someone who’s reputation is in a very good place and is looking to build on it and someone who has recent experience of winning things and being at the top end of tables.”

There is a mixed consensus from the Rangers support but one thing remains true to all of them. They need a new manager and they need one fast.