MICHAEL BEALE looks to be the clear target for Rangers after two managerial candidates ruled themselves out of the running for the position.

The Ibrox club are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Giovanni van Bronckhorst earlier this week. The Dutchman was axed after a string of poor results both domestically and in Europe.

Beale is currently the bookies' favourite for the role and the Daily Record now reports that two further candidates have been "ruled out".

A story has explained how Ralph Hassenhuttl and Kevin Muscat will not be heading to Glasgow for talks over the position.

It remains to be seen whether Beale will accept a Rangers offer after he recently turned down the opportunity to manage Wolves in the Premier League.

The Englishman is currently boss at QPR and is understood to be happy in his role, despite recent poor form.

Sean Dyche is another name in the running as he continues his search for management after being relieved of his duties at Burnley.

Meanwhile, Livingston manager David Martindale believes Beale would be “a great fit” for the Rangers vacancy.

Beale left his role as assistant at Aston Villa to go out on his own at Loftus Road in the summer and his team currently sit seventh in the English Championship.

Martindale, who dismissed himself as a contender for the role, believes the Englishman would be a logical appointment.

“I don’t want to speak out of turn because it’s not my place to talk about other clubs and other managers but I think Michael would be a great fit for Rangers,” said Martindale after he was named Glen’s Premiership manager of the month for November.

“That’s up to Michael Beale and Rangers Football Club, not David Martindale.

“Would that be a good fit? Probably but I don’t know more than you do.

“I’m a big advocate for British managers. I think someone with a knowledge of British football (is preferable).

“It’s easy to be a bit more clever and go down the foreign route, and I think Ange Postecoglou has been a fantastic signing for Celtic, but I think there’s a correlation between Australian and British football culture.

“Sometimes I think you can bring a foreign coach in and it can be difficult. There’s a lot of talent in the UK market, though I am slightly biased being a Scottish manager.

“Would I like to see Michael get the job over a foreign manager? Yes, I would, but that’s just my personal preference. I think there’s a lot of talent in Scotland. I see Sean Dyche has been linked and he’s another fantastic talent.

“I like to see progression within the British game and I think there’s a lot to be said for hiring someone with knowledge of the players and knowledge of Scottish football.”

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