Kevin Muscat has decided not to join Rangers despite advanced talks | OneFootball

Kevin Muscat has decided not to become the next Rangers manager despite advanced talks, according to journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

The Shanghai Port manager held talks to succeed Russell Martin as Rangers boss at the Ibrox club, but the deal has now fallen through.

Rangers have been informed of his decision as he had second thoughts on his fit within their recruitment model.

The Scottish Premiership club will now move on to other options and new names are expected to emerge in the coming hours.

Muscat is the third manager to pull out of the running for the Rangers job after Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl also decided against taking it.

The Australian was not convinced that the Gers’ recruitment model appeals to him following meetings with Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart.

Sky Sports have added that the prospect of a delayed start made the practicalities of an appointment unworkable.

With Port top of the Chinese Super League table and the season not finishing until November 22, Rangers could also have grown cold feet about appointing Muscat.

Gers under-19 manager Steven Smith has been in interim charge of the first-team since Martin left, and leaving him in charge until the end of next month does not look like a smart option.

Rangers have seven games between now and November 22, and they cannot afford to put an interim manager in charge while an agreement with a permanent manager is in place.

Muscat has three games left to help Port retain their title this term, and leaving them right now for the Bears job would not make any sense.

Both parties have been unable to reach a final agreement and have moved on, and the board will now return to the drawing table.