League’s standout manager emerges as stronger option than Rohl for Rangers

Rangers’ plans for next season have been thrown into uncertainty after reports emerged that Danny Rohl could be on his way out of Ibrox.

The German coach has become a leading target for Red Bull Salzburg, with the Austrian club understood to be in direct talks with Rangers’ owners, the 49ers Enterprises group, over a potential move.

The timing is far from ideal for the Light Blues. Rangers have already begun shaping their squad for the new campaign, with Lawrence Shankland arriving and several other targets being actively monitored. Yet attention may now have to shift from recruitment on the pitch to the dugout.

Should Rohl depart, Rangers will once again find themselves searching for a manager less than a year after appointing him. It is a situation that highlights the difficulty Scottish football’s leading clubs have faced in finding stability in recent years.

Naturally, several familiar names have already entered the conversation. Steven Gerrard is certain to attract attention once more. The former Rangers boss held discussions with the club before Rohl’s appointment, but those talks ultimately failed to produce an agreement.

The landscape at Ibrox is considerably more settled now, however, and Gerrard’s achievements during his first spell ensure he remains a respected figure among supporters. After all, he was the man who guided Rangers back to Scottish Premiership glory and ended Celtic’s domestic dominance.

Kevin Muscat is another contender who could emerge. The former Rangers defender has been linked with the managerial position on multiple occasions and remains highly regarded by many within the game.

Yet neither Gerrard nor Muscat should be at the top of Rangers’ shortlist if a vacancy opens up.

Instead, the club should seriously consider a move for Hearts manager Derek McInnes.

Having already secured Shankland from Tynecastle, Rangers could deliver another significant blow to one of their domestic rivals by persuading McInnes to make the switch to Glasgow.

The Hearts boss enjoyed an outstanding campaign and was deservedly recognised as Scotland’s Manager of the Year. Over the last 12 months, few coaches in the country have enhanced their reputation more.

McInnes has built a side capable of competing with the division’s strongest teams while maintaining a clear identity and consistency that Rangers have often lacked. His tactical approach, organisation and experience in Scottish football make him a compelling candidate.

Convincing Hearts to part with their manager would be difficult, but Rangers would be making a mistake if they failed to explore the possibility. Shankland’s arrival once seemed unlikely. Now he is heading to Ibrox, and McInnes could yet follow him through the door.