'Muscat early bookmakers' favourite for Rangers job' - gossip

Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port are two points clear at the top of the Chinese Super League

The early favourites for the Rangers head coach job were on the club's radar before the appointment of Russell Martin, while the Old Firm are both linked with a Saint Etienne forward.

Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat, currently in charge of Chinese champions and Super League leaders Shanghai Port, has emerged as the early bookmakers' favourite to succeed Russell Martin as Rangers head coach after the Scot was sacked on Sunday. (The Scotsman)

Kevin Muscat has quickly overtaken former Everton manager Sean Dyche as the favourite with the bookmakers to be Rangers' new head coach. (Scottish Sun)

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is expected to be considered as Rangers look to appoint a new head coach, while Danny Rohl, who recently left financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday, is another name appreciated by senior figures at the Ibrox club, having both been on the shortlist before Russell Martin took charge. (TalkSport)

Celtic and Rangers, along with a number of English clubs, are being linked with 23-year-old midfielder Pierre Ekwah, who has refused to play for Saint Etienne after their relegation to Ligue 2 amid efforts to terminate his contract and allow him to leave for free despite the French outfit activated his £5.2m release clause to sign him permanently from Sunderland following a loan spell last season. (Football Insider)

Rangers' decision not to bring Karl Etta Eyong to Ibrox in the summer transfer window for a bargain price now looks foolish, with a report in Spanish outlet Sport revealing that Barcelona are already keen on a deal for the 21-year-old striker who has impressed since joining Levante instead from Villarreal. (TeamTalk)

Manchester City look set to beat Manchester United to the signature of Heart of Midlothian midfielder Keir McMeekin despite Sir Alex Ferguson and youth team coach Darren Fletcher having made personal pitches to the teenager to join the Old Trafford club next summer after he turns 16 and can move to England for a compensation fee. (Daily Record)