Kjetil Knutsen retains Rangers non negotiable with coveted manager craving 'special' factor to trigger Bodo exit

In-demand Kjetil Knutsen has offered a hint at what Rangers must do if they are to land him as boss - and it could be a waiting game for the Ibrox side.

Knutsen being touted as one of the potential frontrunners for the hot seat after Michael Beale left the Scottish Premiership side following the dismal defeat to Aberdeen - having previously been floated as a contender when Gio van Bronckhorst was dismissed 10 months ago. The boss has has an impressive track record having left Bodo/Glimt to two Norwegian titles and has them top this year, while also making his mark in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Despite missing out on the title to Molde in the title race last term, the 55-year-old has led the club back to the summit. However, the race for the silverware is set to go the wire with Viking FK just a point behind seven games left this season.

And that could prove to be the stumbling block in any move to Ibrox - with the boss previously insisting he would not leave the club mid-season. Asked about a potential exit earlier in the Norwegian season, Knutsen gave a blunt verdict.

"I have said it many times – and I will say it again – I am having a great time here. Period. Right now Bodo are at an incredibly good place for me to be.

"I want to emphasise strongly that it is very difficult for me to drop something in the middle of a season. I would only abandon the team in the middle of a season for a very special challenge."

It remains to be seen if Rangers can offer the "special challenge" for the highly-rated boss that would trigger a move to Ibrox. But with Steven Davis in interim charge of the club the 'Gers powerbrokers could opt to bide their time until the end of the campaign if they wish to snap up