Kevin Muscat shows Rangers his 'great intensity' as Yokohama rally cry comes loaded with fighting talk hint

The Australian is gearing up for a big game in Asia but his name is being linked with the Ibrox job.

Kevin Muscat has sent a rallying cry to his Yokohama F. Marinos stars ahead of a cup date with destiny - and it comes with a potential Rangers clue.

The former Ibrox star is in a two-way shootout with Belgian Phillippe Clement as the Premiership club's board look to replace Michael Beale. CEO James Bisgrove and co have been leading interviews in London this week and it's down to Yokohama's boss and Clement, who was last with Monaco after winning titles in Belgium with Club Brugge and Genk.

Despite talks, Muscat is still very much at the Marinos helm, leading his team to a 1-0 win against Urawa Red Diamonds midweek in a J-League Cup semi-final first leg. The second is on Sunday and in a hint over what he may demand of the Ibrox dressing room if he returns to Glasgow, Muscat says fight and high intensity will be expected of his squad.

He told the Yokohama Express ahead of the second leg: "We were well prepared leading up to the first leg. The players understood what they needed to do and expressed it well on the pitch, which led to the result.

"We had a different opponent, so we knew it wouldn't be an easy match. What we wanted was to play with great intensity at all times.

"As a result of continuing to fight hard, we were able to play worthy of a win. Urawa is a good team, so we had to create a lot of chances. It's difficult. But as we played the games, I think our chances started to increase. We want to be well prepared for the second game."