Pedro Caixinha has been cleared to take over as Rangers manager by his current club. Qatari side Al-Gharafa announced on Twitter that they had given the Portuguese coach permission to join the Scottish Premiership side, who currently lie third in the table.

The 46-year-old now looks set to quickly agree a deal but he is unlikely to be in the dugout for Sunday’s clash at Celtic Park.

Al-Gharafa, who play in the Qatar Stars League, stated that the deal was in their financial interests, especially with Caixinha’s contract due to expire in 45 days. The club’s statement also added that Caixinha’s desire to join Rangers was instrumental in their decision.

Caixinha emerged as Rangers’ first choice to replace Mark Warburton last week but the Ibrox club were unable to finalise a deal to take him to Scotland at the start of this week, in time to prepare for Sunday’s derby.

However, the agreement with Al-Gharafa will allow him to watch on at Parkhead.

Caixinha moved to Qatar in 2015 after a successful spell with Santos Laguna, a Mexican club with close links to Celtic. He previously managed Uniao de Leiria and Nacional in his homeland after spells on the coaching staff at Sporting Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest and Saudi Arabia.