Muscat is set to take over but it’s Steven Smith who will be running the show in the meantime
10:17, 17 Oct 2025Updated 15:32, 17 Oct 2025
Steven Smith believes Kevin Muscat is the type of character Rangers need as their new gaffer.
The Ibrox Under-19’s coach will take charge of Saturday’s Premiership clash with Dundee United while the club finalises a move to bring Muscat to Govan.
The Australian is set to sign a long-term deal as Russell Martin’s successor but will finish his season with Chinese outfit Shanghai Port first.
Smith came across Muscat as a youngster at Gers back in 2003 when the experienced defender was part of Alex McLeish’s Treble-winning squad.
Rangers have gone through a glut of bosses in recent years, with Martin the latest to be relieved of his duties a fortnight ago.
But Smith feels Muscat could finally be the right guy to lead the club back to success.
Stevie Smith speaks to the media ahead of Rangers’ clash with Dundee United at Ibrox
When asked if he’s the type of character the club needs right now, he said: “Probably. It’s an interesting question.
“In the past four or five years we’ve had different types of managers but there’s no guarantee of success anywhere.
“It’s really difficult when the expectation is there to win all the time.
“We’ve experienced different managers, whether that’s ones who have played here or head coach types who are deemed more tactical.
“We’ve had every type of manager but the priority is always to win.
“I was a young player when Kevin was here. I only came across him a few times.
“My job was to clean Alex and the coaching staff’s boots so I’d pass him in the corridor.
“As a person, he was really pleasant. I know he has a reputation as a player.
“But in the communication I had with him he was always really pleasant with the young players.”
Smith will take interim charge of a beleaguered Gers squad for the foreseeable future.
Former coach Neil McCann could potentially come in to keep the seat warm for Muscat to arrive next month.
And as he looked ahead to the league game with United – and Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Brann Bergen in Norway – Smith admits he DIDN’T think he’d end up as boss while the club looked for a new manager.
Kevin Muscat is set for Rangers(Image: Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
He said: “I probably didn’t think I’d end up in the dug-out. That’s my honest answer.
“I thought I’d take training for the first few days then that would be my job done.
“But the closer it got, and when the international players came back, I started to feel it could happen.
“And in my head, I was always prepared for it.
“I’ve tried to keep things as normal as possible. I’ve got processes in terms of how I like to work with the U19’s.
“It’s a way of working that I trust so I’ve not tried anything different to what I’ve learned before.
“I’m taking it day by day. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind.
“But we’ve got a game on Saturday that we need to go and win.”