Rangers next manager timeline emerges as Muscat and Clement name key Ibrox concerns before board decision

The two remaining runners in the race to become Rangers manager hope to find out this weekend which of them will replace Michael Beale.

Record Sport understands key discussions were still taking place yesterday between the Ibrox club and candidates Phillipe Clement and Kevin Muscat. It’s believed both men have been quizzed over a raft of issues which could yet determine the identity of the last man standing in a process which began almost a fortnight ago. Sources at the club have insisted all along that chairman John Bennett and chief executive James Bisgrove will not be rushed into naming their man.

But with Rangers about to re-start their league campaign at home to Hibs a week today, both Clement and Muscat expect to know the outcome one way or another before Monday morning. We also understand that the respective financial packages for both contenders have been thrashed out which means there should be no obvious cause for further delay once Bennett and his board has settled on the preferred candidate.

Record Sport has previously revealed how former Rangers boss Graeme Souness has been acting in an advisory capacity since the interview process kicked-off with a meeting with Frank Lampard in London. But it’s believed only former Brugge and Monaco boss Clement and current Yokohama Marinos manager Muscat made it through to the final week of interviews which is now nearing conclusion.

It’s understood Clement wants a long term commitment from Rangers if he is to agree a deal after seeing the Light Blues board pull the trigger early on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Beale. The Belgian has concerns over how short the Ibrox reigns were of both Van Bronckhorst and Beale who lasted just 12 months and 10 months respectively.