Kevin Muscat agrees deal to become Rangers head coach

The Rangers Review revealed on Thursday morning that the process to appoint Russell Martin's replacement in the dugout was set to reach a conclusion sooner rather than later. Further talks have now seen an agreement reached for him to succeed Martin, who was sacked after just 17 matches in charge this term.

Muscat will sign a long-term contract at Rangers and is expected to be joined by former Ibrox winger Neil McCann. A seven-figure compensation package with Shanghai Port is all-but in place and Muscat will remain with the Chinese Super League leaders as he looks to clinch the title in the final weeks of the campaign.

Official confirmation of the deal is expected over the weekend as Rangers remain cognisant and respectful of Port's situation ahead of their fixture with Qingdao Hainiu on Friday morning. Some details have still to be worked through as all parties contend with the challenges of a transaction that spans several time zones across the globe.

Read more:

• Behind the scenes insight with Kevin Muscat's assistant amid renewed Rangers interest
• Inside the spell and sacking of Russell Martin: Brugge nadir, tensions, Sunday call

We revealed yesterday that Steven Smith, the Under-19 coach at Auchenhowie, will take charge of the first team for their Premiership fixture with Dundee United on Saturday. Rangers have yet to confirm who will be in the dugout for the Europa League trip to face Brann next Thursday, while matches with Kilmarnock and Hibernian are also on the horizon ahead of the League Cup clash with Celtic.

Muscat could be committed to Shanghai until November 22. That has not put Rangers off, however, and he emerged as the front-runner in the process after Steven Gerrard rejected a return to Ibrox last week. The Aussie could move to Glasgow sooner than that date, though, if the Super League title can be wrapped up in the coming weeks.

The Rangers Review broke the news on Wednesday night that Danny Rohl had withdrawn from the race to succeed Martin. Rohl was spoken to as part of the recruitment process before Martin’s appointment on a three-year deal in the summer. The 36-year-old was interviewed once again last week and it is understood he was eager to get down to business as soon as possible ahead of a defining run of matches at home and abroad. 

Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe, the Rangers vice-chairman, addressed supporters in an open letter in the aftermath of Martin's sacking. And they vowed to get the right man for the job after his disastrous reign came to an end.

"When we took over the club this summer, we shared what we want to build for Rangers - to win trophies in Scotland and be able to compete at a high level in Europe," Cavenagh and Marathe said.

"We know achieving these goals will take time, but our performances and results have not been good enough. We know you are frustrated - we are too. We did not get this right, and it’s our responsibility to fix it and get us back on track.”