Rangers suffer fresh blow in manager search while Celtic agree deal

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 17: A man dressed in a bowler hat carrying a briefcase walks past the Ibrox Stadium gates on February 17, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. Rangers face Kilmarnock on Saturday following a week where the club went officially into administration, incurring a 10 point penalty from the Scottish Premier League. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 17: A man dressed in a bowler hat carrying a briefcase walks past the Ibrox Stadium gates on February 17, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. Rangers face Kilmarnock on Saturday following a week where the club went officially into administration, incurring a 10 point penalty from the Scottish Premier League. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Rangers find themselves in search of a new manager. The club ended up showing Giovanni van Bronckhorst the exit door after they fell nine points behind Celtic in the league under his management and also endured the worst group stage campaign in Champions League history. Last season, the Dutchman had guided them to the Scottish Cup and a place in the Europa League final.

Thus, the Rangers are looking to bring in a new manager during the World Cup break, and if the appointment is made swiftly, it will give him some time to adjust to his new surroundings and team.

One of the names being linked with the Ibrox job since before Van Bronckhorst was shown the exit door is Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was sacked by Southampton not too long ago.

But as reported by the Daily Record, Hasenhuttl is not in the running to become the next Rangers manager. He wants to take a break and recharge his batteries before deciding on his future.

Rangers have suffered a fresh blow in search of their next manager while Celtic agree another deal

While Rangers might have suffered a blow as they search for their next manager, Celtic continue on relentlessly in their pursuit to get better.

The club have already announced the signing of Yuki Kobayashi on a five-year deal. The Japanese star will be able to join up with his new teammates at the start of December and will be eligible to play for the Hoops when the January transfer window opens next year.

This is some incredible swiftness and efficiency shown by Celtic to say the least, getting a January deal done in November.

On the other hand, it remains to be seen how long the Ibrox club take before appointing their next manager, who will have a mountain to climb if he is to turn this nine-point deficit around.