Kevin Muscat to Rangers collapse fear as negotiations hit stumbling block

Rangers' pursuit of Kevin Muscat as their new head coach has hit a snag, with the deal potentially on the brink of collapse. The Daily Record claims that the 52-year-old Australian is in limbo despite having agreed in principle to succeed Russell Martin following positive discussions with owner Andrew Cavenagh and vice chairman Paraag Marathe last Thursday.

Muscat then entered into further talks with chief executive Patrick Stewart, sporting director Kevin Thelwell and Gretar Stainesson of the San Francisco 49ers, during which a potential stumbling block emerged. Insiders are now increasingly worried that the deal could fall through, leaving Muscat at the helm of Shanghai Port, where he still has a year left on his current contract.

His team remains two points clear at the top of the Chinese Super League with just three games left after an exhilarating 4-3 victory over Qingdao Hainiu on Friday.

It was expected that Neil McCann, Muscat's choice for assistant, would take charge for Saturday's match against Dundee United at Ibrox.

However, under-19s coach Stevie Smith ended up leading the team as Rangers dropped another two league points in a late 2-2 draw.

Smith confessed afterwards that he doesn't know if he'll still be in charge for Thursday night's Europa League match against Brann Bergen.

If Muscat's deal is confirmed and ratified early this week, it's likely that his own staff will be in place in time for the trip to Norway.

Muscat was planning on assembling a backroom team made up of familiar faces with McCann as his assistant.

He also hopes to bring countryman Les Gelis with him from Shanghai to head up the Ibrox medical department, taking on a role as head of high performance.

German candidate Danny Rohl officially withdrew from the process last week after Muscat took over his position as the clear front runner, following his talks with Cavenagh and Marathe.

And first pick Steven Gerrard also asked to be ruled out of contention after expressing concerns over the club's management structure.