Kevin Muscat sends clear message to Rangers chiefs as reason why Philippe Clement can’t be sacked floated

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In-demand Kevin Muscat insists he is focussed on Shanghai Port's Asian Champions League campaign amid fresh speculation over a move to Rangers.

The Australian came within touching distance of the top job at Ibrox when Michael Beale was shown the door off the back of successful campaigns with Yokohama F. Marinos - winning the J-League in 2022 and finishing second in 2023 before making the move to China. The powerbrokers in Govan would opt for Philippe Clement - who is facing major pressure over his future after the draw with Dundee United saw the club slump 11 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

In contrast, Muscat has just lifted the Chinese FA Cup following on from a Super League title victory - but the former Gers midfielder insists he is now eyeing success in continental competition rather than the exit door with fixtures in the calendar until at least February. Ahead of the clash with Ulsan, he told Titan Sports: "In the AFC Champions League, our performance has indeed been inconsistent, which has led to unstable results.

"There are still four matches left in this phase of the AFC Champions League this season. We hope the team can deliver consistent performances, starting with tomorrow's match."

"Ulsan HD shares many similarities with us this season. Both teams have won their domestic top-tier league titles, and they are about to play in their cup final as well. However, neither team has achieved particularly good results in the AFC Champions League so far."

And concerned former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday reckons that the board could have a problem showing under-fire Clement the door after he penned a contract extension before a ball was kicked this season. The Belgian has a deal in Govan until 2028 after agreeing new terms before the season opener.

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And speaking to Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Motherwell man Halliday said: “I’ll never sit here and say a manager should be sacked. I’ll never do it and I never will, but Rangers offered Philippe Clement in a position where they can’t sack him right now?

"I think John Bennett was pretty open about it at the time that he doesn’t want to see these managers recycled when it comes to the Autumn time. We were recycling managers when we were eight points behind Celtic not eight points behind Aberdeen. There is so much to work though.”

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