What Rangers candidates have said about job as board make Russell Martin plan

Embattled Russell Martin faces a monumental task to convince the Rangers faithful. Despite public backing from the board, the Daily Record understands the club is already plotting life after Martin with telephone conversations held with numerous potential replacements.

A loss in the Premier Sports Cup could spell the end for the Ibrox hierarchy - following a winless opening to the Premiership campaign. The Glasgow heavyweights also tumbled out of the Champions League in embarrassing circumstances with a crushing 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge.

But who is currently in contention? Express Sport examines who could occupy the hot seat should Martin receive his marching orders.

Sean Dyche

The experienced Englishman has remained unemployed since departing Everton in January - and has been suggested as the early favourite to succeed Martin should he face the axe.

Speaking in 2022, he confessed he wouldn't rule out a switch to Ibrox: "There is a window of opportunity (for the Premier League) and I think I'm still in it. People say I've been out of the game for seven months but when you consider there's three months of a close season then it's like four active months.

"I've got a window of possible opportunity in the Premier League. If it comes my way then brilliant, if not then I'll have to broaden my horizons. I do know Ross Wilson at Rangers and if he'd like to invite me to the Old Firm derby - I've never been - then he should. I've heard so many stories and I'd love to do it. I worked with Ross at Watford."

The manager seems receptive to the Gers approach after confessing his eagerness to return to management just last month.

He revealed to talkSPORT: "The bit I do miss about it is the day-to-day, working with the players, working with the staff.

"I've had my staff with me a long time, they're good people as well as mates, but they're good operators, and building that rapport with staff.

"We've got a good rapport amongst the staff and I think that goes into the players now, they connect themselves as well."

Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool legend remains the most recent manager to deliver silverware to Ibrox - though his career has nosedived since departing Rangers.

He steered the club through an undefeated league campaign to claim their first championship in a decade during the 2020/2021 season before departing for Aston Villa.

His Premier League tenure lasted merely 11 months, whilst his bid to revive his managerial prospects in the Saudi Pro League crumbled following his exit from Al-Ettifaq.

In conversation with Graeme Souness after his Villa Park dismissal, the Rangers legend revealed Gerrard suggested a potential comeback might be possible once relations with the fanbase had time to mend.

In a 2022 interview with talkSPORT, he revealed: "I saw Steven a couple of weeks ago in Portugal. He seemed in fine form and I said to him: 'are you wanting to go back?' and he said give it a bit of time and I'll go back if something comes along that is interesting to him."

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Danny Rohl

Before Martin was handed the reins by the 49ers, Danny Rohl emerged as an unexpected contender for the Rangers job.

Having departed Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, his name could be back in the frame.

He's already outlined what he's looking for in his next role - a route to the top: "I've made no secret of the fact that I'd like to work at the highest possible level with the best players in the near future."

Jose Mourinho

It would be a headline-grabbing move - but time is running out for Jose Mourinho to potentially land at Ibrox.

The Special One is nearing a switch to Benfica in a sensational return to Portuguese football after leaving Fenerbahce.

However, just last season he was quizzed about managing in the Scottish Premiership. His reply?

"Why not? People can say the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it is a league of passion. Passion in football is everything. To play in empty stadiums and competitions where there is not that fire of the passion does not make any sense."

Barry Ferguson

Barry Ferguson, who had a temporary stint in the dugout last season, continues to be a topic of discussion at Ibrox.

He has been open about his ambition to secure the role on a permanent basis, previously asserting that he is capable of doing the job if given the opportunity.

Kevin Muscat

Kevin Muscat, the current manager of Shanghai Port, remains in the thoughts of supporters. He was considered for the top job before Philippe Clement was chosen following Michael Beale's departure.

However, convincing the 49ers to reignite their interest could prove challenging as Muscat is currently vying for his third consecutive Chinese Super League title.

Craig Moore, a close associate, has stated that a move to Rangers is no longer an option after previous negotiations with the club fell through.

In an interview with A-Leagues.com after leaving Yokohama F. Marinos for Shanghai, Muscat confirmed that he had been approached by several clubs: "There were two or three opportunities throughout the season where I was contacted about certain clubs.

"There was only really one who I did speak to and the rest I didn't speak to because I was invested in trying to win a championship. Then towards the last couple of games, this opportunity arose."