Rangers

Watch highlights as Rangers lose 2-0 against in-form Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-0 defeat against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Alex: We lost mainly because of Jack Butland's errors and Cyriel Dessers' misfiring up front. Imagine if Dessers had taken his chances and Butland stopped his errors, then a big part of the problem is resolved. Dessers gets chance after chance, there needs to be changes.

Billy: In a season where the only certainty has been uncertainty, the Rangers performance summed up the attitude of a number of poor performers. Another poor season peters out in disappointment. Hopefully next season can bring positive change all round.

Gerry: Same old same old, that's the Barry Ferguson effect over. Not scared to make changes he says, I hope he's got enough in reserve to do that because they all need changing. None of our players ever make the team of the week on a regular basis, only once in a blue moon, sad demise of a once giant.

William: What is the solution? It is clear Rangers cannot play with any sort of confidence in front of their own supporters. Are the fans too toxic, as you can see the players hiding in their shells? Only league we have won recently was in front of empty stadiums because of Covid, so maybe that is an indication of the issue at Ibrox?

Ronnie: I said last week give Barry the job, I'm gutted for him after yet another shambles. He is blameless both in his team selection and tactics. These players still do not get it, they think beating Bilbao on Thursday wipes away results like these, it doesn't. We are Rangers, we have lost five home games on the spin, that is totally unacceptable. So many failures in this team over the entire season. Whoever gets the job has a massive task. Will it be Barry? These results do not help the case. Hopefully the fans do not turn on him. He is one of us. Totally gutted.

David: How many managers will we go through before the board realise it's the same players making the same mistakes week in week out, we could have the best manager in the world and still come second.

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• Hibernian are undefeated in their last 16 games in the Premiership, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2013-14).

• Cyriel Dessers attempted four shots in this game, more than any other player.

• Martin Boyle has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership.

• Vaclav Cerny attempted nine crosses in this game, more than any other player.

Sirius forward Robbie Ure, 21, harbours the ambition to return to Rangers one day. (Herald - subscription required), external

Former Rangers defender used to refer to current Ibrox interim head coach Barry Ferguson as manager Walter Smith's right-hand man when all were at the club in season 2007-08. (Record), external

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 21, sees no rivalry between himself and Rangers counterpart Nico Raskin, 24, in the Belgium squad as he regards them as different types of players. (Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Rangers fans, were you at Ibrox to see your side's 2-0 defeat by Hibernian or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game.

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson tells BBC Scotland: "Angry, really angry in fact - that's the most simple way I can put it. There's no way I'm accepting that.

"I thought we started on the front foot before Hibs got the first goal. Another mistake from us. I said at half-time I need to see more, I want to see more aggression in our play and I never saw it. That's the thing I'm raging with.

"I'm not going to kid anybody on. Hibs deserved it. They tackled harder, ran harder and wanted it more. It's sore for me to say that.

"I'll take the responsibility. I pick the team and I need to go away with the players and have a long hard look in the mirror.

"This [season] is in real danger of just petering out. It's about pride. I know we're in the Europa League, but those are easy games to get up for.

"I will make changes, I'm not scared to make changes. I need a team that's willing to put their bodies on the line."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Not for the first time, Rangers were left to rue missed chances, with Cyriel Dessers again the main culprit.

He could easily have had four goals. He emerged instead with none.

It's also far from the first time Rangers have been exposed at the back. Jack Butland made another mistake and there were too many open spaces for Hibs' front men to expose, Martin Boyle in particular relishing the freedom for the second, decisive goal.

The Jekyll and Hyde season continues for Rangers.

Excellent away from Ibrox lately, unconvincing in front of their own fans, and now with the unwanted distinction of being the first team in the history of the club to lose five in a row at Ibrox.

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Rangers defender Robin Propper, 31, is linked with a return to his native Netherlands this summer. (Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny is unlikely to be risked as he looks to recover from a hamstring problem. The Ibrox side are still without Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee).

Hibs could have Nicky Cadden back but captain Joe Newell (pelvis) has suffered a setback.

Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

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The last time Rangers and Hibernian met, they drew 3-3. Since then, both have been involved in goal-laden games, which whets the appetite for this encounter.

Hibs are front-runners to finish third - quite the turnaround since November when they were bottom.

Only Celtic - in the league and Scottish Cup - have beaten them in the interim as David Gray's side have amassed 10 league wins and five draws.

They are also scoring goals for fun - 48 in the Premiership.

Rangers, on the other hand, are leaking goals. They've conceded 12 under interim head coach Barry Ferguson, who bemoaned "old habits" after the win at Dundee.

The former Ibrox captain is yet to enjoy an Ibrox victory since replacing Philippe Clement, but did celebrate a penalty shootout triumph over Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

The table is set, the ingredients are in place, it's over to Rangers and Hibs to serve up another football feast.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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John Souttar says his Rangers future is "on the back-burner" as a summer of change looms at Ibrox.

Scotland defender Souttar, who joined Rangers from Hearts in 2022, is out of contract at the end of next season.

Rangers are in the midst of a takeover involving US-based 49ers Enterprises, the investment wing of the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise, and there is also managerial uncertainty with Barry Ferguson in interim charge until the end of the season.

Ibrox CEO Patrick Stewart has stated his intention to prevent the loss of key players for free after Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent ran down their contracts in recent years.

Souttar, speaking in the build-up to Saturday's visit of Hibs to Ibrox, said of his contract situation: "To be honest, I've not spoken about that for a while.

"There has been loads of changes at the club so that situation has gone on the back-burner.

"I've not spoken to anyone about it for a while. I'm just concentrating on my football and let others deal with what they have to deal with. Hopefully it then gets resolved.

"There is so much going on at the club just now. I'm sure that when there is some stability that'll get sorted."

Despite Rangers following up their derby win at Celtic with a 4-3 away victory over Dundee, Souttar admits they need to tighten up after falling 2-0 behind in five of their past seven matches, including four of six under Ferguson.

"A lot needs to improve from how we started the game against Dundee, conceding the goals we did," the 28-year-old added.

"Obviously it's good that we came back and scored the goals. But we shouldn't need to score four goals to win a game.

"It's something we've been looking at and something we need to improve. That's something we simply cannot allow to happen, whether we're at home or away. A lot of the mistakes were basic errors."

Rangers have warned fans that they may scrap the singing section at Ibrox, mostly frequented by the Union Bears ultras group, over "issues of concern" after the club were fined by European governing body Uefa and threatened with a partial stadium closure. (The Herald), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers assistant Neil McCann is in favour of expanding the Scottish Premiership, saying it would remove the "fear factor" and allow more opportunities for young players.

Talks have taken place at senior levels and an SPFL working group will explore options to alter the structure of the Premiership to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

"'I've always liked the idea of a bigger league," said McCann.

"How that's configured is everybody's guess, but I think we've got teams that would enhance the top league.

"A lot of people say there's dead rubbers, but I believe you can always get something from that, whether it's introduction of young boys, whether it's more places up for grabs, a couple of relegation places and a play-off position.

"There's ways of trying to find the middle ground, but the most important thing, if it was bigger, I see it being more opportunity for young boys to be cut in because maybe it would take away a lot of the fear factor that exists right now."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers assistant Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before the Scottish Premiership home match against Hibernian this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• McCann stressed that while many people perhaps looked at Barry Ferguson's CV and thought he might not be ready for the Rangers job, he has "proved that wrong".

• The coaching team wanted to change the mindset among the squad and McCann believes they have achieved that.

• He adds: "There needs to be a real willingness to win. Sometimes you need to dig deep. Sometimes you have to go right to the end."

• McCann says they have changed how Rangers attack but are still conceding goals and it is something they have to "eradicate", but the players are "showing a wee bit of guts and determination".

• "A draw is not a good result at Rangers, domestically," he continued. "The whole DNA of this club has not been lost on the four of us (the new coaching team). The players have embraced it."

• He sensed the group towards the end of Philippe Clement's time "lacked a bit of spark, energy, tempo and aggression in their play" and that was something they looked to address quickly.

• McCann praised the squad being "accepting of changes made within a game and showing an ability to be adaptable," adding that Ferguson has shown he is prepared to adapt if things aren't working.

• Vaclav Cerny is "making good progress" after missing the win at Dundee but the winger won't be risked before the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao.

• McCann says Hibs, on a 15-game Premiership unbeaten run, have "got something going" and it is a "huge" game for Rangers.

• On potential league reconstruction, the Ibrox assistant "likes the idea" of a bigger Premiership which "may bring opportunity for young boys to break through".

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• Rangers are unbeaten in their last 24 league meetings with Hibs (W17 D7) since a 2-1 defeat in February 2018 under Graeme Murty.

• Hibs have lost their past 11 league visits to Rangers by an aggregate score of 27-7 since a 1-1 draw in December 2018 under Neil Lennon.

• Rangers have lost their past four home games in all competitions – the longest losing run at home in the club's history.

• Hibs are unbeaten in their past 15 league games (W10 D5), the longest unbeaten run within a single season in the Scottish top fight in the 21st century by any side other than the Old Firm clubs. Hibs started the day of the first game in this run (14 Dec) bottom of the table, but now find themselves third.

• Rangers have conceded 2+ goals in each of their past five league games (11 conceded in total); in their entire history, only from December 1893 to April 1894 have they ever conceded twice or more in six successive league fixtures.

Numerous clubs in the UK, including Wrexham, and abroad are keeping a check on Tom Lawrence's situation as the 31-year-old Wales midfielder approaches the end of his Rangers contract but with the Ibrox club having the option to extend his stay by a year. (Daily Mail), external

No plans have been put in place ahead of expected celebrations at the end of this year's football season despite a "productive discussion" last week after MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic, Rangers, the Scottish Professional Football League, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the 'disruption' seen in previous years. (The Herald), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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After the weekend win over Dundee, Rangers fans on this page voiced discontent with goalkeeper Jack Butland following his latest blunder.

"Butland has to go as he makes far too many errors" and "Butland proves yet again why he was never good enough" reflect the sentiment after he gifted Dundee their second goal in Rangers' chaotic 4-3 win.

Just over a year ago the 32-year-old was in contention for an England recall in recognition of his stellar club displays.

However, Butland's consistency has faltered in his second season at Ibrox and he has developed a propensity for a clanger.

Against Manchester United in January, he inexplicably punched the ball into his own net. In early March, he fumbled it into the path of Motherwell forward Luke Armstrong, then repeated the error against Dundee at the weekend to allow Joe Shaughnessy to profit.

His mistakes, though, cannot be highlighted without context. Rangers have struggled domestically this season and even though Barry Ferguson has taken interim charge they have fallen two goals behind in five of their past seven games, amplifying glaring defensive frailties.

That does not make Butland immune from criticism. Opta stats show that he has made the joint most errors (four) leading to a goal in the Premiership this season.

He ranks just fifth in save percentage (67.9) and while he is second for clean sheets (10), Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel has almost double that tally with 19.

Butland concedes a top-flight goal every 86.5 minutes this campaign, while Schmeichel only lets one in every 135.

Might Rangers, who are set for new ownership and new management this summer, be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper too?

Or perhaps should Scotland cap Liam Kelly, who is waiting for a chance to impress, be handed the chance to prove he can step up from understudy?

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' 4-3 victory at Dens Park last weekend was as thrilling a game as you'll see in a long time and Barry Ferguson and his players do deserve credit for a comeback that appeared massively unlikely with 15 minutes to play.

But as sweet as it was for the travelling Rangers fans in the end, they were made to suffer for large parts of the game and Ferguson acknowledged afterwards his team had allowed "old bad habits" to creep back in to their play.

With a massive European tie against Athletic Bilbao on the horizon, Ferguson and his coaching staff have glaring defensive issues to address. The startling statistic of having gone 2-0 down in five of their past seven games underlines that.

Indeed, the goals they shipped to Dundee meant that for the first time since April 1986 – the bad old days of the pre-Graeme Souness era – Rangers conceded two or more in the league for a fifth straight game.

Unlike Souness, Ferguson cannot open a cheque book to sign a couple of England internationals to shore up a leaky backline, so the solution must come from within.

Different formations and personnel have been tried with varying degrees of success, while Jack Butland has gifted a couple of goals to the opposition in recent weeks.

Another unwanted record attained recently was a fourth successive home defeat for the first time. With a buoyant Hibs visiting on Saturday, Rangers will have to have sharpened up defensively if that record is not to be extended.

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."