Rangers manager pursuit sparks Eddie Howe to Celtic flashback as golden question leaves one certainty

It's a pursuit that is heading into a fortnight old - and it's got one pundit pondering what is taking the Rangers board so long.

While they look to have narrowed their search to replace Michael Beale as manager down to Philippe Clement or Kevin Muscat, no decision has been made yet. Club chiefs have been in London holding interviews regarding the Premiership vacancy this week but former Scotland boss Craig Levein is having flashbacks to Celtic's pursuit of Eddie Howe.

It looked for all the world the current top flight champions would land the Englishman in the summer of 2021, before a deal collapsed at the final hour. Ange Postecoglou would then come in, a deal that didn't work out too bad for those in green and white. Levein also has experience at club level with the likes of Dundee United and Hearts, and admits one of the first questions is how much they get paid if the axe falls. And the Ibrox situation has prompted a theory.

He told Sportsound: "It reminded me a little bit of Eddie Howe to Celtic, where it dragged on and on. It comes a point where you know there is a problem. I am just wondering that this has dragged on a little bit of time now as well.

"A lengthy contract is desirable for most managers but all that really matters is the termination clause. Generally, I tended to work on a year either side. If I got the sack, I got a year's money."

He added: "Going into either of the Old Firm takes a little bit of steel in your character because they are expected to win every single week. The pressure builds and if they don't win, the pressure builds and builds.

"If you can't take that pressure as a player you are not going to perform. I don't know if Rangers have kinda got away a little bit from taking the best