Rangers

Image source, Getty Images

Emmanuel Fernandez admits he "was shocked" that a club as "huge" as Rangers were interested in his services before signing a four-year contract and exiting Peterborough United.

The 23-year-old centre-half was in a side that finished 18th in League One last season but now has the prospect of playing in the Champions League.

"I am honoured," he told Rangers' website. "It is a huge club with a great fanbase and I think I can kickstart my career and have a good journey here.

"I was shocked when I heard about Rangers, because it is such a big club, but it was the place I wanted to be.

"I haven't played at this level, there will be a lot of life changes for me, but it is something I want to be part of and I can't wait to get started."

Starting as a youth with Brentford, Fernandez signed senior terms with Gillingham but was released after loan spells with Sheppey United and Margate.

He then spent a year with Ramsgate before joining Peterborough in 2021, but it was not until after further loans to Spalding United and Barnet that he became a first-team regular, making 42 appearances last season.

Rangers head coach Russell Martin believes Fernandez has "a huge amount of potential".

He said: "He has a strong physical presence, is a commanding defender and I believe, in this environment, we can help him develop and provide him with the opportunities to take his game to the next level."

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added that Rangers "have been impressed with his development and journey from non-league football to League One".

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Rothwell says the size of Rangers, coupled with reuniting with his former manager Russell Martin, made the decision to choose Ibrox as his next destination an "immediate yes".

The 30-year-old midfielder spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Southampton, where he helped Martin gain promotion to the Premier League.

Rothwell then spent last term on loan at Leeds United, where he also achieved promotion to England's top tier.

He has signed for Rangers from Bournemouth on a three-year contract.

"The size of the club speaks for itself," Rothwell said. "As soon as the interest was there it was an immediate yes from me.

"With Russell coming in too, it made that decision a little bit easier because of working with him in the past and I know what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things.

"That was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself."

Rangers fans, what do you make of the signing of Rothwell? Send us your thoughts.

Image source, SNS

We asked for your views on how Rangers should address Hamza Igamane's future.

The Moroccan striker continues to be linked with a potential big-money move away from Ibrox.

Here's what some of you said:

Josh: If Rangers want to survive financially they need to not be afraid to sell players when they are offered sizeable fees for them. It can be done as Celtic are able to sell players for record highs in Scottish football and win leagues. Rangers need long-term financial stability and this only comes with selling players strategically. Rangers need to invest in their youth academy, as if done well then potential profits far exceed the extra funding needed.

Brian: Would not be overly disappointed to see Igamane leave providing the club get a sizeable fee for him. He displayed flashes of a great talent but didn't do it often enough throughout the season and seemed to switch off and not put in the hard graft when the team needed him.

Sean: There's talk of £15m. Absolutely sell him for that kind of money. That's crazy money for our back-up striker.

Billy: Hamza has been a great find. Truth is he's a rough diamond and one I would like to see develop at Rangers. Brutal fact is we are now a selling club, but he shouldn't go for less than £20 million.

Sally: Igamane is young with so much potential. If Rangers retain Cyriel Dessers he will need competition. Igamane's value will increase with age. If Rangers cannot attract new, talented players, retain what we have.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers have agreed a deal with Bournemouth to sign 30-year-old midfielder Joe Rothwell, who spent last season on loan at Leeds United. (Sky Sports), external

And Rangers are in talks with Chelsea over a potential loan deal for 19-year-old defender Ishe Samuels-Smith, but face competition from Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Stoke City. (football.london), external

Meanwhile, Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, 22, has landed in France as he prepares to undergo his Lille medical before a big money move to Ligue 1. (Africa Foot & Soccer 212 via Record, external)

Basel are determined to beat Rangers to the signature of midfielder Metinho, 22, after the Brazilian was on loan at the Swiss club from France's Troyes last term. (Glasgow Times), external

Vicente Pizarro, a reported target of Rangers, is holding talks over his future with Chilean club Colo Colo. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Another day, another transfer rumour linking Hamza Igamane with a move away from Rangers.

Recent reports suggest the Moroccan striker is closing in on a move to France to join Ligue 1 side Lille.

The 22-year-old impressed in spells last season, scoring 16 goals in 46 games across all competitions.

An incredible hat-trick at Hibernian and a stunning Old Firm winner at Celtic were among his highlights, but Cyriel Dessers was often the preferred option at centre forward.

The rumour mill suggests Rangers' new hierarchy are open to selling the forward if the price is right, but would you be content with him leaving?

Given Igamane joined just last summer for a reported fee of about £2m, there is a potential opportunity to make a large profit.

So if he was to exit Ibrox, how much should he be departing for? Send us your thoughts.

Lille have agreed a deal with Rangers to sign Morocco forward Hamza Igamane, with AS FAR, from whom the Ibrox club signed the 22-year-old, receiving nearly 30% of the transfer fee. (Kora Maroc), external

Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is closing in on an agreement to join Ligue 1 outfit Lille after Everton and West Ham United decided against pursuing the 22-year-old because they do not think he is ready for the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Issame Charai, who left Rangers' coaching team to become Westerlo team boss this summer, says leaving Ibrox had not crossed Hamza Igamane's mind when they last spoke, but it believed Lille have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old and his fellow Moroccan is now keen on the move to France. (Scottish Sun), external

Besiktas have submitted an initial offer ranging from £8.5m to £10.3m for 23-year-old Rangers and Ivory Coast midfielder Mohamed Diomande. (Fussball Europa), external

Rangers have set their sights on agreeing a deal to sign Jamie Vardy on a free transfer following the 38-year-old England striker's departure from Leicester City. (Football Insider), external

Conor Coady has returned to Leicester City for pre-season training despite ongoing talks over a move to Rangers for the 32-year-old England centre-half being at an advanced stage. (Daily Record), external

FC Zurich want to bring back 24-year-old winger Samuel Ballet from Como for a second loan spell, but Rangers, Norwich City and Trabzonspor are much further ahead in the race to secure the former Swiss youth international and are holding concrete talks. (Blick Sport), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono

Rangers hope to beat Basel to the signature of Brazilian midfielder Metinho after the Swiss club had an offer for the 22-year-old rejected following his loan spell from Troyes. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe says Leicester City centre-half Conor Coady's "eyes lit up" over the prospect of signing for the Ibrox club and the 32-year-old is eager to complete the transfer. (Daily Record), external

Ecuador midfielder Jose Cifuentes has confirmed he has returned to Rangers after Aris Thessaloniki could not raise the money needed to make the 26-year-old a permanent signing despite the Ibrox club extending the deadline and reducing the £3m fee following his loan spell in Greece. (The National), external

With no transfer agreed for Rangers 30-year-old Cyriel Dessers, AEK Athens head coach Marko Nikolic has insisted he is not worried about signing delays, telling Gazzetta, external that he still has plenty of forward options and that his priority is a left-back. (Gazzetta via The Scottish Sun), external

While AEK Athens are very keen on Cyriel Dessers - with the Nigeria striker having shook hands on a £30,000-per-week contract - a transfer fee has yet to be agreed, with Rangers hoping to make a profit on the £4.5m they paid for the 30-year-old in 2023. (Daily Record), external

Queens Park Rangers aimed a cheeky dig at Rangers following the Championship club's capture of 23-year-old Ghana midfielder Kwame Poku from Peterborough United for around £300,000 in compensation, the London club's X account announcing that: "Kwame Poku signs for THE Rangers", followed by a winking face emoji. (Glasgow Times), external

Romania legend Ilie Dumitrescu has revealed that Ianis Hagi told him he had turned down an offer with Legia Warsaw but is in advanced discussions with clubs in the top five European leagues following the 26-year-old midfielder's exit from Rangers. (Spotmedia), external

Newcastle United beat several Premier League rivals to the signature of 16-year-old Rangers striker Alfie Hutchison. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Brighton & Hove Albion forward Zebedee Lawson's agent has taken to Instagram to hint that the 16-year-old's transfer to Rangers is imminent. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire appeared on the BBC's Reporting Scotland programme to discuss Rangers' new ownership.

Here's the best of what he had to say:

On how far £20m of investment will go for Rangers:

"It will certainly help. Rangers have sizeable debts. Its wage bill is parallel to that of Celtic.

"The amount invested in players in terms of the total cost of the squad is the same, but the revenue generated by Rangers is around about £35 million less than that of Celtic, and that means that Rangers have been losing money.

" I think the previous board, they felt that they had reached the point where they couldn't continue to inject that money.

"So, now we've got Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Investments coming in, taking control, and that could potentially give the club greater direction. And of course, putting money in, which from the pronouncements that we've seen, is certainly going to help the playing budget."

On how Rangers go about bridging financial gap between themselves and Celtic:

"Celtic are in a very strong position financially. They've got over £70 million in the bank compared to Rangers having less than two, and this was before the announcement.

"So they do have a very strong position, Celtic, there's no doubt about it.

"I would say that they've been relatively cautious in terms of their investment in the squad over the past few years, and this has allowed Rangers to certainly catch up in terms of the amount of money being invested.

"I think what we really need to see at Rangers is money being spent smartly rather than large signings coming in.

"We've seen that be successful elsewhere, and we've also seen those clubs that have just spent the cash because they've got a new owner, they've got a new injection - that doesn't necessarily translate to ultimately what Rangers fans want, where being second in Glasgow is being nowhere."

On what re-registering as a private limited company, instead of being publicly listed, means for Rangers:

"Yeah, it won't affect fans at all.

"Instead of having the additional compliance costs of being a public listed company, and the shares weren't being traded on a standard market, it simply means that Rangers will revert to individual transactions between shareholders going through on a private basis. So it's nothing for fans to get worked up about."

Rangers hope to this week finalise a deal to sign Leicester City defender Conor Coady, 32. (Daily Record), external

Talks continue between Lille and Rangers over the potential transfer of Ibrox forward Hamza Igamane, 22. (Sun), external

Newcastle United have tied up a double raid on Rangers to sign youth players Alfie Hutchinson and Oliver Goodbrand, both 16. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers chairman Sir David Murray reveals he urged the club's board not to sack manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2022. (Sun), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Lille are ready to switch their sights to fresh targets, despite the French club having held talks with the agent of Hamza Igamane and agreed terms on a lucrative three-year contract with the 22-year-old forward, after getting cold feet over Rangers' £15m valuation. (Daily Record), external

Having had an opening bid of £14.5m for Hamza Igamane rejected by Rangers, Lille are poised to make a second offer for the 22-year-old and £15-£16m, plus potential add-ons, will be enough to seal a deal. (TeamTalk), external

Hamza Igamane is very excited about the prospect of playing in Ligue 1 after a verbal agreement was reached with Lille, although Strasbourg and Rennes are also in the running for a transfer that could cost more than £12m. (Foot Mercato, external - in French)

Rangers remain in advanced talks to sign Leicester City centre-half Conor Coady and all parties are hopeful of concluding the 32-year-old's Ibrox switch early next week. (Football Insider), external

Dundee are still in the dark as to the compensation they will receive for Lyall Cameron, who has joined Rangers, and fellow midfielder Josh Mulligan, who has signed for Hibernian. (Daily Record), external

Legia Warsaw head coach Edi Iordanescu has revealed he has held talks with Romania midfielder Ianis Hagi but conceded the 26-year-old released by Rangers is out of his club's price range. (The Herald), external

Rangers have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated forward Zebedee Lawson, 16, from Brighton. (Football Insider), external

Rangers are set to retain three 17-year-olds within their academy under new ownership and structure to develop academy players, with midfielder Calum Adamson, centre-half Jack Wyllie and winger Max Cameron have all agreed two year contracts at the club. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, BBC Sport

Out of contract at Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven striker Luuk de Jong, 34, would be "open" to joining Rangers. (De Telegraaf via Daily Record, external)

Rangers are waiting for Lille to bid for Hamza Igamane - but the Morocco striker is keen on a move to France. (Daily Record), external

Dor Turgeman has told Maccabi Tel Aviv he wants a move to Rangers amid rising interest in the Israel striker. (One, external - in Hebrew)

Rangers are keen to land Liverpool left-back Owen Beck but any move could depend on Ridvan Yilmaz being sold. (Daily Record), external

Czech winger Vaclav Cerny, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, has been told he is up for sale by Wolfsburg after talks with their new manager Paul Simonis. (The Herald, external - subscription required)

Read Friday's transfer gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the signing of right-back Max Aarons and what his arrival could mean for Rangers captain James Tavernier.

Here's what some of you said:

Elaine: It's a start. Russell Martin clearly has knowledge of good players down south who can come in and do a job. Personally, I don't care if it's only a loan. You never know what'll happen by the end of the season.

James: Can see him playing right-back and Tavernier playing further forward or centre.

Matt: Fresh energy and different qualities. Hoping Tavernier will be used as a back-up only. Would like to see Aarons start at right-back and Ridvan Yilmaz, if he stays, at left-back. Optimistic of more fresh energy and quality coming in while ridding ourselves of the deadwood, like Robin Propper, Danilo etc.

Gavin: If Tavernier gets any game time this season it should be only if Aarons can't manage for some reason. Time to move along, he's served his time but his time is served.

Steve: While Tavernier is probably a better player going forward, he was found wanting so many times last season, especially at the back post. I hope Aarons is a more solid option at the back. Given this is our first signing under Martin and he has been brought in as a right-back, Tavernier surely can't remain as captain.

Peter: On his day Tavernier was a good servant and defender for us, but age has caught up with him and maybe he didn't have his best season last time, but he can produce something when needed. Aarons is only a loanee, who knows what can come of it if it's a really good season. Fingers crossed he doesn't have injury woes like some others. Things are now moving a bit better, let's hope the rest go through okay.

John: Tavernier is on his last legs, but he will be a record-breaker for a long time. Aarons sounds like he is quality. Good stuff.

Sally: If Aarons adapts quickly to Scottish football, his speed and strength undoubtedly pose a threat to Tavernier. Admittedly he has not scored many goals, but he can defend and gets forward quickly. It is up to Tavernier to produce his past form to keep his place. Nicolas Raskin has the potential to become a great team captain.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, PA Media

In 2020, Max Aarons' manager at Norwich City, Daniel Farke, said he wouldn't sell him - even for £100m.

Not so long ago, Russell Martin's first signing as Rangers boss was one of English football's hot prospects. There was even talk of Barcelona interest in the Englishman.

Three years later, the full-back was sold to Bournemouth for £7m.

Now he's out on loan from the English Premier League side for a second time, having spent the latter part of last season at Valencia.

But why did he fall out of favour at Bournemouth?

BBC Solent's Bournemouth commentator Jordan Clark says it's a bit of a mystery.

"When Bournemouth signed him from Norwich there were indications he was being brought in as successor to long-serving right-back Adam Smith," said Clark.

"He was handed a spot in the starting line-up and performed well. Andoni Iraola picked him ahead of Smith until he suffered a hamstring injury. He then struggled to regain his place from Smith who was playing really well.

"Martin's Southampton then made an offer for Aarons in the summer of 2024, which was rejected by the Cherries. Clearly something happened then because we barely saw him play for Bournemouth since.

"They signed Julian Araujo that same summer and Aarons slipped down the pecking order with central midfielder Lewis Cook preferred at right-back to cover when Smith and Araujo were injured last season.'

"To the best of my knowledge, neither Iraola or Aarons have revealed many details as to why he slipped down the order so quickly.

"He was called upon a few times last season due to injury problems before his move to Valencia and always performed really well.

"He was praised for agreeing to play 45 minutes in the FA Cup to help the Cherries on the same day he flew out to Spain to join Valencia, which shows a lot about his character and mentality.

"We only saw him in a back four at Bournemouth, but given the amount of running that was demanded of him I'm sure he'd be more than capable of playing in a wing-back role at Rangers.

"He's clearly a very talented player, but he just wasn't given enough of a chance to show it at the Vitality Stadium.''

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers have opened talks to sign Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez, 23. (Football Insider), external

Lille want Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, 22, to replace Jonathan David. (Sacha Tavolieri on X), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Having played just 338 minutes with Bournemouth and Valencia last term, Max Aarons will be hoping for more game time on loan at Rangers.

The 25-year-old has primarily played as a right-back throughout his career but has also filled in on the left of defence at times.

After moving from Norwich to Bournemouth for a reported £7m two summers ago, Aarons went on play 20 times in the 2023-24 Premier League, starting 13 times.

His minutes were limited by injury, but the defender still ranked well across a number of categories when compared to fellow full-backs in England's top flight on a per-90 basis.

In the 2023-24 season, according to FotMob, external, Aarons ranked high for successful dribbles and fouls won, while his recoveries, tackle success and duel success were also positive.

However, the Englishman was at the lower end for aerial duel success, touches and pass accuracy.

How does that compare with James Tavernier, the man Aarons is likely to be competing with for the right-back spot?

Of course, the differences between playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership and playing for Bournemouth in the Premier League have to be taken into consideration.

And that will play a part in Tavernier vastly outperforming Aarons' 2023-24 numbers when it comes to on-the-ball work, including chance creation.

On the defensive side, Aarons comes out on top for successful tackles and possession won in the final third, but the Rangers captain ranks higher for blocks, clearances and interceptions.

Rangers fans, how do you feel about the signing of Aarons? And what do you think this could mean for Tavernier's future? Send us your thoughts.

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Max Aarons was "on the radar of many clubs" and has "plenty of room for development" at Rangers, says sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

The 25-year-old right-back has joined Russell Martin's side on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth.

Thelwell says Rangers believe Aarons will be an "important asset for the team" next season.

"He is a player who has been on the radar of many clubs in recent years," the former Everton director of football added.

"At only 25, he has experienced a lot in the game while also having plenty of room for development."

Head coach Martin described Aarons as a "wonderfully talented player who is hungry to develop, improve and help deliver success" for Rangers.

Image source, SNS

Rangers' Old Firm win at Celtic Park in March was "one of the best football experiences of my life", says new chairman Andrew Cavenagh.

Hamza Igamane's thumping finish secured a first victory at Parkhead since 2020 for the Ibrox side, who were led by interim boss Barry Ferguson on the day.

Cavenagh said he "was lucky" to be able to attend the 3-2 win, which had about 2,500 Rangers fans in attendance after a period of no away allocations in the fixture.

"The past few months have been an incredible experience," Cavenagh added.

"I was lucky to go to the match at Parkhead and it was incredible. I learned a couple of new phrases and gestures when I was there, but it was a fantastic experience.

"It was the first match where our fans were allowed back in and we had 2,500 fans there, but they were incredibly loud and vocal in showing their support.

"It was one of the best football experiences of my life."

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons is in Glasgow finalising his loan move to Rangers after completing his medical, but there is no obligation for the Scottish Premiership club to buy the 25-year-old Englishman. (Sky Sports), external

Rangers are preparing to make an offer for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck and, while the English champions have held preliminary talks with the Wales 22-year-old former Dundee loanee over a new contract, the Ibrox club would prefer a permanent transfer. (Dave Ockop), external

Leicester City centre-half Conor Coady is eager to join Rangers and the 32-year-old is preparing to travel to Glasgow to finalise a transfer and, with a cut-price fee expected to cover the value of the one year remaining on his contract. (TeamTalk), external

Kwame Poku is poised to have a medical with Queens Park Rangers after the Championship club agreed a compensation fee with Peterborough United for the 23-year-old Ghana winger, who Rangers hoped to sign for free when his contract expires at the end of June. (Football Insider), external

Peterborough have agreed deals with QPR, Swansea City and one other unnamed club for winger Poku, with his present club due compensation despite his contract ending next week, and it is now the 23-year-old's decision as to who he signs for this summer. (Sky Sports), external

AEK Athens are finalising a fresh move for Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers after having a £4.5m offer rejected on Monday for the 30-year-old Nigeria international. (Record), external

Rangers have initiated contract renewal discussions with midfielder Nico Raskin as they look to prevent him from joining Aston Villa, but the Premier League club are open to paying the Ibrox club's valuation of the 24-year-old, which has risen from £25m to £30m following his Belgium appearances. (TeamTalk), external

Rangers have given the green light to the transfer of 24-year-old Wales winger Rabbi Matondo to Super Lig club Gaziantep, according to reports in Turkey. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip