The belief that the Great Wall of China is visible from space is one of those enduring myths that has captured imaginations around the globe. But for Kevin Muscat, contemplating a move from Shanghai to take the helm as Rangers’ manager, the task ahead required no such cosmic perspective to discern the challenges.

While considering the opportunity to succeed Russell Martin, Muscat needed nothing more than a laptop and his own keen observation skills to recognize the shortcomings of the team he might inherit. The prospect of a late November start was a factor in the decision not to move forward, but it’s likely Muscat had deeper reservations about the sheer magnitude of the task and the latitude he would be granted to revamp the squad.

It’s hardly surprising that Muscat hesitated before committing to what could be a monumental undertaking. The daunting prospect might have seemed as intimidating as traversing the Great Wall itself, barefoot amidst a snowstorm.

Looking back, Muscat was once a part of the illustrious Rangers team that clinched a historic Treble 23 years ago, alongside talents such as Mikel Arteta and Shota Arveladze. In contrast, today’s team operates in an entirely different realm.

Twenty-three years ago, he was a peripheral figure in a Treble winning Rangers team containing players of the ilk of Mikel Arteta and Shota Arveladze. The current outfit belongs to a different stratosphere.

Nico Raskin and his Rangers team-mates look dumbfounded after another win escapes them

Kevin Muscat has removed himself from contention to become the next Rangers manager

Goals from Craig Sibbald and Kristijan Trapanovski changed the course of the game at Ibrox

For the longest time, the responsibility for an atrocious situation rested at the door of Russell Martin. He’s gone now, but the players he signed and their inherent issues remain for the next incumbent.

With Public Enemy No1 now out of sight, the blame game has moved on too. Ibrox remains fractured and filled with acrimony.

‘No more buses to hide on,’ read a banner aimed at the misfiring players in the section populated by the Union Bears. ‘No more managers to hide behind. Face your failures like men.’

In the Sandy Jardine Stand, there was a stark message for those who facilitated Martin’s appointment in the first place.

‘Stewart, Thelwell, pack your bags and go before we pack them for you.’

This was before the Muscat deal fell through. Heaven knows what sort of welcome will be in store next time.

You had to feel for Steven Smith here. The interim manager spoke on Friday about the need to ‘simplify things’. He revealed that he’d reminded the players that they were a talented bunch. And for 45 minutes, those messages looked like they’d flicked a switch.

Caretaker boss Steven Smith was left feeling the same frustration as Russell Martin before him

Playing as if the weight of the world had been lifted off their shoulders, Rangers delivered what was by far their most impressive half of football this season.

They fashioned 24 efforts on goal — five of which were on target. The only criticism you could make was that they ought to have had more than Thelo Aasgaard’s magnificent strike to show for their efforts.

What happened thereafter was a reminder of the side’s fragility. An improvement of sorts from Dundee United was inevitable. Yet again, Rangers wilted when the heat was on.

The visitors turned the game on its head with outstanding goals from Kristijan Trapanovski and Craig Sibbald. Jim Goodwin’s side are a match for anyone on their day provided they perform for the duration.

As welcome as James Tavernier’s late equaliser was among the light blue legions, few were celebrating the salvation of a late point even if it took them up into the top six.

If the first half had reminded them that there’s some talent in this side — Aasgaard was superb — the second period underscored the reasons why the campaign to date has been so abject.

Things looked promising for Rangers after Thelo Aasgaard’s opener in a bright first half

Too many players in light blue jerseys vanished from view. They stopped showing for the ball, they ceased running and they didn’t tackle. It seemed that they just didn’t fancy the renewed aggression of their opponents.

Jayden Meghoma and Bojan Miovski seemed especially culpable in this regard. The introduction of Youssef Chermiti came as the tide was turning in the hope that he somehow might change things.

Yet again, the £8million signing from Everton was all heavy touches and woeful link-up play. It’s not hard to see why a string of English Championship sides rejected the chance to take him on loan prior to Rangers digging out their cheque book.

The full-time whistle saw a familiar scene play out; Rangers players sheepishly applauding those among their support who’d remained to the end. Cue raised voices and pointed fingers among the rank and file.

With just five wins in 18 competitive matches and Hearts now 13 points in front at the top of the Premiership, you can hardly blame them. It already feels like a long hard season.

Nothing that’s happened since Martin was jettisoned a fortnight ago has restored faith in those who are supposed to be running the show for the Americans.

Trapanovski’s fine strike from distance turned things in the visitors’ favour in the second half

It was evident many weeks ago that his appointment was flawed and that he was fast heading for the buffers. There was no excuse for Rangers not having his replacement waiting in the wings.

The fruitless talks with Steven Gerrard in London could have taken place privately long before they did. It’s football. That’s how it works. The same applies to the dalliance with Danny Rohl.

The Muscat episode just applies the tin lid. The minute Rangers realised that he might not be available to start work in Glasgow until November 22 — potentially missing eight matches — they should have looked elsewhere.

Getting Neil McCann to hold the fort for his former team-mate would have been a bewildering and unsatisfactory situation.

It was clear the night in late August when Martin’s side shipped six goals in Brugge that Rangers needed a new face at the helm.

It took a late strike from Rangers captain James Tavernier to salvage a hard-earned point

Yet, there they were, desperately trying to convince Muscat to commit to a deal that wouldn’t kick-in until a further four league matches, two European games and a League Cup semi-final with Celtic have been played.

It’s like seeing your house ablaze and writing to the fire brigade. Goodness knows what will be left of the campaign by the time Martin’s successor finally arrives on the scene.

The fact that Smith looked genuinely clueless when asked if he’d be taking charge of the side for the trip to Bergen this week just added to the sense of confusion. Muscat’s withdrawal at least clears that one up.

It’s an embarrassing state of affairs which doesn’t say much for the club’s new American owners or those who they’ve employed. That much is clear from a great distance.