Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers ready for ‘new challenge’ if Kevin Muscat becomes new Rangers boss

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is ready for the challenge Kevin Muscat could bring if the former Australian defender is appointed as Rangers’ new boss.

Rangers are close to agreeing a deal for Muscat, 52, to become their new head coach, with terms and personal details yet to be finalized.

Former head coach Russell Martin was sacked after just 123 days in charge before the international break, and Shanghai Port manager Muscat has emerged as the favorite to replace him, after Steven Gerrard turned down the chance to return to coaching at Ibrox.

Shanghai Port are on the verge of winning back-to-back Chinese Super League titles, with Muscat also winning league titles in Australia and Japan with Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F Marinos respectively.

“I think every team changes their manager, you have to accept and face the challenge of new ideas and the modernity that they may bring,” Rodgers said, ahead of Celtic’s Premier League trip to Dundee on Sunday.

Rodgers admits that he is not close to Muscat, but they have met as coaches more than once.

Celtic were beaten 6-4 by Yokohama F Marinos Muscat in July 2023, and Rodgers recalls meeting the potential new Rangers coach when he was working under Nottingham Forest coach Ange Postecoglou during his spell as coach of Melbourne Victory.

“I don’t know Kevin very well, but I met him a few times when I was at Liverpool,” Rodgers said.

He added: “He came to training when I was Liverpool coach and I spent some time with him there.

“And then, of course, when we traveled to Australia with Liverpool and met him and Angie while I was there.

“So, yeah, like I said, I don’t know him that well, but he’s done a really good job in the teams he’s been in in Asia, and if he’s going to be the next new coach, it’s another new challenge, and like I said, for us, we’ll be ready for that.”