Philippe Clement in Saudi puzzler as Rangers next manager mystery intensifies after bold Al Shabab insider claim

Al-Shabab insider Abdul Rahman Al-Hamidi has claimed that Philippe Clement is "close" to an agreement with the Saudi Pro League despite the boss emerging as the frontrunner for the Ibrox hot seat.

The 49-year-old boss is among the leading contenders to succeed Michael Beale in the Scottish Premiership with Kevin Muscat also being heavily tipped to leave Yokohama F Marinos for a return to the Light Blues as boss. While several reports have suggested the Belgian boss is keen on a move to Rangers over a bumper offer from the Middle East, Al-Hamidi has insisted that club officials at Shabab reckon they will get their man after lengthy talks.

It has been claimed that Clement made a Riyadh visit last weekend to examine the facilities at the club on top of a chat with higher-ups at the club. The former Club Brugge boss is weighing up his next move after being shown the door by Monaco last term. And Speaking on Saudi sport TV programme Bara 18 Al-Hamidi declared the two sides were "close to reaching an agreement".

However, he notably swerved talk of a move to Rangers with speculation gathering pace that chief executive James Bisgrove and the Ibrox board are considering Clement. The confident pundit said: "Al-Shabab's negotiations with the Belgian coach may be in their final stages to train the first football team."

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