Steven Smith to Lead Rangers Temporarily as Club Finalizes Kevin Muscat Deal

Rangers Football Club will be led by interim manager Steven Smith while the organization finalizes a long-term agreement with Kevin Muscat, the current manager of Shanghai Port.

Smith, currently the coach of Rangers’ Under-19s squad, will take charge of Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United and Thursday’s Europa League tie against Brann Bergen. The appointment follows the recent dismissal of Russell Martin and marks the latest attempt to find stability in a managerial position that has seen frequent changes in recent years. The club is hoping a change in leadership will help close the gap with rivals Celtic.

Smith expressed his belief that Muscat possesses the character Rangers needs, recalling a positive, albeit brief, interaction with him during Muscat’s previous tenure with the club in 2003. “Probably,” Smith said when asked if Muscat is the right fit. “In the past four or five years we’ve had different types of managers but there’s no guarantee of success anywhere… As a person, he was really pleasant.” Smith admitted he hadn’t anticipated stepping into the role of interim manager, stating, “I probably didn’t think I’d end up in the dug-out.”

Muscat is expected to join Rangers after completing his season with Shanghai Port. The Scottish Professional Football League has strict rules regarding manager appointments, and the club is working to ensure all necessary procedures are followed. The SPFL website provides details on these regulations.

Club officials have indicated that former coach Neil McCann could potentially serve as a short-term caretaker until Muscat’s arrival next month.