Rangers are currently continuing their search for a new head coach following the recent dismissal of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with the Dutchman having been relieved of his duties earlier this week following what had been a hugely frustrating start to the season for the Old Firm outfit.

The 47-year-old – who only replaced Steven Gerrard at the helm a year ago – had initially made his mark at Ibrox after guiding the club to the Europa League final and ending the club’s lengthy Scottish Cup drought, although that triumph has been swiftly forgotten amid the current woes.

While the Glasgow side’s miserable Champions League record run had undoubtedly been a factor in the former Feyenoord man’s departure, the club’s domestic form has also been a real point of concern, having slipped nine points behind rivals Celtic at the summit, after also missing out on the league title last term.

As much as it may pain the Light Blues to admit, the club are simply struggling to contend with their Parkhead foes at present, with opposition boss Ange Postecoglou having been something of a revelation since walking through the door last summer.

While the 57-year-old also oversaw a disappointing European campaign of his own this term, as the Bhoys finished bottom of their Champions League group, his Hoops side are currently on a run of 14 wins from their opening 15 Scottish Premiership games.

The former unknown quantity – who has been linked with a move to Premier League side Everton of late – has revived a side that had finished 25 points behind the Gers during the 2020/21 campaign prior to his arrival, helping to spark an almost instant reversal of fortunes at Celtic Park.

With the aim for those at Ibrox to try and derail Postecoglou’s rampant outfit, the club could well be best served turning to the Aussie’s compatriot in Kevin Muscat, with the 49-year-old – who has been linked with the vacancy in recent days – an ideal fit for the task.

The Crawley-born, former Australia international is currently thriving in Japan at Yokohama Marinos, having taken on the job at the J-League side following Postecoglou’s move to Scotland, going on to claim the league title earlier this year.

The former Gers defender – who was part of the side that won the treble in 2003 – had also claimed major honours during his previous stint at A-League outfit Melbourne Victory, having taken on the role in 2013 after the current Celtic boss had moved on to the national team.

Muscat will no doubt have insider knowledge of Postecoglou’s workings having been an assistant to the experienced coach prior to making the step up at Melbourne, with the vacancy at Rangers potentially offering the chance for the ‘apprentice’ to de-throne the ‘master’.

Having followed in the footsteps of his counterpart in his managerial career thus far, the 49-year-old could well now be set to go head to head with his former colleague were he to make the move to Ibrox, with Sydney FC boss Kevin Corica suggesting that Muscat could well thrive at the prospect of that challenge:

“Of course Kevin would take on Ange. He’s very competitive, he’s a fiery character and very good at his job. I’m sure one day he probably will end up at Rangers. I have no doubt he would do a great job there.“It would be fascinating. Kevin obviously took over from Ange at Melbourne Victory and had a very successful period there too. Then he followed Ange to Yokohama and won the league there, just like Ange. Both of them are doing very well and I think both of the are helping Australian coaches as well.”That assessment should well spark intrigue among Gers supporters, with the potential left-field appointment of Muscat – instead of the favourite Mick Beale – seemingly the way to go if the club is keen to match Postecoglou’s impact on the other side of the city.