Ruthless and relentless. Those are the words that come to Steven McGarry’s mind when asked to describe Kevin Muscat and they sound very much like the very qualities Rangers will be looking for in a new manager.
Muscat, who won a Treble under Alex McLeish at Ibrox in 2002/03, has emerged as the frontrunner to be Michael Beale ’s replacement two decades later.
The 50-year-old developed a reputation as a hard as nails defender during a career that included spells at Wolves and Millwall as well as Rangers, but it was in the twilight as a player back in his homeland that he first crossed paths with former St Mirren, Motherwell and Ross County midfielder McGarry.
The Scot was playing for Perth Glory, Muscat for Melbourne Victory and what struck McGarry was the current Yokohama Marinos manager’s leadership qualities on the field, which were to be carried into a coaching career under Ange Postecoglou ’s wing shortly afterwards.