At time of writing, Rangers aren’t even second in what is traditionally a two horse race. That situation is absolutely unsustainable and I’d be amazed if the Rangers board weren’t already sounding out possible replacements.

The problem is not just Beale. Rangers have spent a lot of money on players who don’t quite cut the mustard but will remain a drain on the books for some time… unless sold.

They desperately need a circuit breaker. And as they can’t get any new players until January, the only feasible circuit breaker is a new manager.

Step forward Kevin Muscat.

I was surprised Rangers didn’t appoint Muscat earlier.

It’s possible they did consider him… maybe even spoke to him… but he wasn’t appointed when he was clearly the best man for the job.

I’m aware that’s a big statement, so why is he the best man for the job?

He played for Rangers so he gets the club. Rumour has it that Muscat was such a hard player and hated Celtic so much, that he was never allowed to play in an Old Firm derby for fear he’d be red carded in the first five minutes. Attitude: check.

Muscat was actually a filthy player – famously voted the most hated man in Britain. And yet, he had a first class football brain. Anyone who watched the Socceroos during his time would’ve known that, when Kevin Muscat took time off from making career ending tackles, he was a very classy player. He had a fantastic sense of team shape and system which was obvious in the way he’d play long cross-field balls to start attacks from the depth of defence. Good penalty taker also. Game knowledge and strategy: check.

He went into management under Ange Postecoglou after finishing his career at Victory. It’s true that Ange started the rebuilding at Victory but Muscat got to learn from Ange and then took Ange’s team to glory. His tenure at Victory was one of their most successful eras ever.

He was then recommended by Ange for the Marinos job after Ange was headhunted for Celtic. Once again he benefited from a team already built by Ange but did arguably better than Ange did when you look at where the teams finished. Muscat has come 2nd, 1st and is currently 2nd in the J League. Management learning, experience and success: check.

Scottish football fans won’t like this, but the J League is at least the same level as the SPL and probably better. It is definitely more competitive because more than two clubs are able to win the league every year. If the top twelve teams from both leagues played each other in one off matches, the J Leaguers would win at least ten of those twelve matches. If you need more proof than this... Kyogo has been the most lethal striker in Scotland for three seasons but didn't even make the Japan team for the 2022 World Cup.

Rangers fans will be highly suspicious of an appointment that looks like it’s copying Celtic, but the reality is this… Ange is obviously one of the world’s great managers. Many will tell you he IS the greatest. Better even than Pep despite his lack of European success (so far). Why would you not want someone who learned his trade at the feet of the best manager in the world? (Or one of the best...)

Well, plenty on the Rangers forums have already said they don’t want Muscat. They describe him as a “project” appointment… no experience except in Mickey Mouse leagues.

That’s exactly what the Celtic fans said when Ange was appointed. How they lament his departure now.

No European manager worth his salt would touch the Rangers job right now, but Muscat would probably leap at the chance. He’s had one crack at Europe, in Belgium, but that was at a club (Sint Truiden) that was already doomed. He had no chance there.

He’d probably not have much of a chance at Rangers this year, given where they are now, but he would galvanise the club like no other manager could. He would get the very best out of the players he has available and would rebuild over the next two windows – applying what he learned from Ange and what he has perfected for himself.

There is no doubt that if Rangers appointed Muscat now, they would be serious contenders next season.

Kevin Muscat really hates losing.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) was published by Hague Publishing in July 2023. The ebook can be purchased here and the paperback can be ordered here or at your local store.