With the job still there for the taking, one candidate is now reportedly keen to become Rangers manager as soon as possible ahead of Kevin Muscat.

Rangers manager shortlist explained

​​Now that Steven Gerrard has taken himself out of contention, the race to become the next Rangers manager has been blown wide open. The 49ers have just a few days before the Gers return to action against Dundee, but find themselves back at the drawing board and assessing their current options.

Several names have been mentioned as a result, ranging from Graham Potter and Kieran McKenna all the way to current favourite Muscat. All three of those options certainly have strong points too, handing those at Ibrox quite the task ahead.

Potter, for example, has managed at the highest level compared to any other candidates, but his time at that level wasn't exactly the most successful of his career. Now, after struggling at West Ham United before facing the sack, his stock is at its very lowest.

McKenna, meanwhile, is almost Gerrard-esque. Going from Manchester United coach to a managerial role elsewhere, he made history at Ipswich Town in 2024 by becoming the fifth manager in English football history to achieve back-to-back promotions from the third division to the top flight. Although since relegated back to the Championship, that achievement still stands.

Neither of those names are the current favourites, however. Instead, that's where Muscat comes in. The Shanghai Port boss was previously in contention for the role before Philippe Clement jumped ahead in 2023, and could now finally get his chance.

That said, whether Rangers are keen to play the waiting game as the Chinese Super League campaign approaches its conclusion is another question entirely. Instead, they could turn towards a manager who's keen to start as soon as possible.

Chris Jack: Danny Rohl wants Rangers job ASAP

As reported by Rangers Review's Chris Jack, Danny Rohl now wants to take the Rangers job as soon as possible ahead of Muscat and other candidates. The ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss, who rose to prominence as Hansi Flick's assistant at Bayern Munich, has been out of a job since leaving Hillsborough at the end of last season and represents an exciting young manager.

If Muscat forces Rangers to wait until mid-November to arrive, then the door could open for Rohl to arrive instead. The last thing that the 49ers should want is more uncertainty and hiring their next manager sooner rather than later will be the key to avoiding that.

Whether Rohl is the right man for the job is the question. The 36-year-old is by far the most inexperienced candidate for the job, but perhaps the most exciting. It ultimately comes down to whether the 49ers want to take another risk after already failing with their appointment of Russell Martin.

Described as "brilliant" by Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan, Rohl could yet receive the biggest opportunity of his career courtesy of Rangers.