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Frank Lampard is out of the running to become Rangers boss as the club prepare to begin final-stage interviews next week.
The ex-Chelsea, Everton and Derby manager was open to the possibility of moving to Ibrox and is understood to have held preliminary talks.
However, Lampard will not figure in the next round of discussions as Rangers seek to close in on Michael Beale’s successor.
It was their third league loss, while they also missed out on qualifying for the Champions League after a 7-3 hammering on aggregate by PSV in the play-off round.
Frank Lampard won’t become the new Rangers manager despite holding talks with the club
The Gers need a new boss after sacking Michael Beale following a poor start to the season
Beale was only appointed last November after he had impressed at QPR in what was his first managerial role.
Reports in Belgium claim ex-Monaco boss Philippe Clement — who won Belgian titles with Club Brugge and Genk — held discussions with the Ibrox club earlier this week.
Yokohama F. Marinos coach Kevin Muscat is another leading contender, while Mail Sport revealed ex-Bournemouth and Fulham boss Scott Parker would be interested in the role.
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There is a continuing determination by Rangers not to rush an appointment.
Kevin Muscat (left) and Philippe Clement (right) have emerged as the front-runners for the role
Rangers have lost three of their first seven league games and are seven points behind Celtic
Meanwhile, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that Derek McInnes, the Kilmarnock boss and ex-Rangers midfielder, should be considered for the vacant post at Ibrox.
Rodgers, whose side host Killie in the Premiership today, said: ‘He is someone who I am sure would be in contention. He has history there at the club.’
Rangers favourite Steven Davis is currently interim boss but saw the Scottish giants lose 2-1 to Cypriot champions Aris Limassol in the Europa League in his first game in charge on Thursday.
The Gers – who currently lie third in the league – travel to second place St Mirren on Sunday, with the game kicking off at 12PM.
