Rangers are closing in on appointing Danny Rohl as their new head coach - less than a week after the German ruled himself out of the running. The development comes hours after a deal to bring Kevin Muscat to Ibrox collapsed during advanced discussions.

Rohl, whose last managerial position was with Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship, was favoured by some at Ibrox before attention turned to Muscat.

Rangers say negotiations have continued with several candidates and that they are looking to appoint a successor to the sacked Russell Martin in the coming days. Martin was dismissed after 17 games on 5 October with Rangers eighth in the league, nine points behind champions Celtic and two more adrift of leaders Heart of Midlothian.

Rangers also failed to qualify for the Champions League under Martin and lost both of their Europa League games. They now sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership - 13 points behind Derek McInnes' side - with just one win from eight games, and face Brann (17:45 BST) in the Europa League on Thursday.

Muscat is in charge of Chinese side Shanghai Port, who are still in contention for the Super League title in a race which could run into November or December. The two parties had been in advanced discussions to bring the former Ibrox player to Glasgow, but the potential delayed start to his tenure made the deal unworkable for both parties.

Analysis by BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton "He did a fantastic job at Sheffield Wednesday. What he did to keep them up in that first year was nothing short of a miracle.

"In year two without any major investment he drove them towards pushing for the top six and the play-offs, despite the very difficult situation at Hillsborough which we can all see exposed now.

"It always felt like he was destined for the top while he was at Wednesday and I'd say this is a coup for Rangers if he is indeed the next manager.

"He is someone who works long hours and is incredibly dedicated to his craft - if I was a Rangers fan I wouldn't be worried about comparisons to Russell Martin, I'd be excited about this appointment.

"Danny Rohl is a very different manager to Russell Martin in his approach, in the style his teams play. Everyone who has worked in the Championship isn't an exact replica.

"Rohl has worked at Bayern Munich and with the German national team, his teams are so aggressive but he is so willing to change and adapt to the players that he's got or the in-game situation."