Rangers remain in discussions with Philippe Clement and Kevin Muscat as the Ibrox board close in on the appointment of their new manager.

The Light Blues have been on the hunt for a boss since sacking Michael Beale almost two weeks ago and chairman John Bennett and James Bisgrove, the chief executive officer, held extensive interviews with candidates in London this week.

And it is understood that those talks are now set to continue into the weekend before a final decision is made and Beale’s successor is able to sign on the dotted line at Ibrox in the coming days.

The Rangers Review revealed last week that Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard had been ruled out of the running after holding initial discussions with Rangers and Ibrox legend Graeme Souness.

The likes of Scott Parker and Pascal Jansen, the AZ Alkmaar manager, were also touted as potential candidates, while former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner was overlooked despite making it clear he would be interested in a switch to Scotland.

Clement, the former Monaco manager, and Yokohama F. Marinos boss Muscat are the two candidates to reach the final stages of proceedings and it is likely that an agreement will be reached in time for them to make their dugout debut against Hibernian next Saturday.

Clement has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab and Rangers have yet to sign off on an approach for any candidate as the board take their time to consider all their options in an attempt to minimise the risks after the premature exits of Beale and predecessor Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Rangers will return to action seven points adrift of Celtic in the Premiership title race after recovering from their shock defeat to Aris Limassol with victory over St Mirren.

The interim management team of Steven Davis and Alex Rae – assisted by Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour and Colin Stewart – took charge of the Europa League clash and 3-0 league win in the days after Beale was sacked.

Davis admitted  that he did not know what the future held for him over the international break and he will now consider his options as he deliberates on whether to return to playing after a knee injury or move into coaching on a permanent basis.

Speaking after a James Tavernier double and strike from Abdallah Sima saw off the Saints, Davis said: “I have always thought that down the line I would go into management. This opportunity came out of the blue and it has been a steep learning curve. 

“I think I have learned a lot over the two games I have done this job. I have had a lot of support behind me in terms of the staff behind me and in the building.  That has been massive for me and for the players as well. 

“I just wanted to give them the tools to get a performance to get a performance and result over the two games. We didn’t do it on Thursday but I am delighted for them – and for everybody at the club – that we have managed to get a result today.”