Steven Gerrard in 'secret Glasgow trip' before Rangers snub as two issues scrutinised before final answer

Kevin Muscat has now emerged as the clear frontrunner for the hot seat after Gerrard's knock back

Out of work Steven Gerrard took an "under the radar" trip to Glasgow before turning down the Rangers job, it has been claimed.

The Liverpool icon was leading the race to replace Russell Martin in the Ibrox hot seat having held talks with the club’s new American owners in London.

However, the title-winning Rangers boss would pull out of talks with the "timing" of a return to Ibrox among a host of reasons bringing the conversation to an abrupt end.

Oddsmakers had made Gerrard a surprise favourite for the hot seat again on Wednesday - but Record Sport understands that no further approaches have been made.

And Peter Grant has now floated that Gerrard backed out of the job after a secret trip back to the city where he became a Premiership champion in 2021.

The Celtic hero told the Go Radio Football Show: "You (Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises) are going to interview Steven Gerrard - and you know there is a major issue financially, what is your first question you ask him?

"Is it possible...you don't fly him back into Glasgow - which we believe he was here - you don't do that if it's impossible."

Host Paul Cooney clarified that it was "under the radar" before Grant continued: "As soon as you answer that question you are done talking.

"See within two days, you are done. Then the fans are not as disappointed. Whoever comes in second knows that, and they have got to start there."

Kevin Muscat has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the hot seat - with Record Sport revealing the Shanghai Port boss has entered contract talks with the Ibrox decision-makers.

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is on stand-by to come into the hot seat with plans already in place for his backroom staff.

But former Celtic man Craig Burley has called out the Rangers' hierarchy as he claimed that Gerrard was scared off the "shambles" at Ibrox after looking at the Hoops and the state of the Light Blues' squad.

The pundit told ESPN FC: “He (Gerrard) has had a look at the shambles of recruitment that they have had.

“He has had a look at Celtic, who, even their fans are moaning about, they didn’t strengthen. But they are still better. They have a better manager.

“If we are being honest, Gerrard won a title when Celtic were a little bit weak, but fair play to him, he did. Apart from that, what else has he done to return to this job?

“Villa? No. Saudi Arabia? No. It’s not like he is ripping up the trees here. Rangers are desperate. Who wants to manage that club, at the moment? They are a shadow of their former self.”

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