Rangers

Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny has deleted his Instagram account in the wake of his open-goal miss in Thursday's 4-1 Europea League defeat by Lyon on Thursday. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Eccentric FCSB owner Gigi Becali says his side can beat Rangers in the Europa League at Ibrox later this month while he issues instructions from his bed. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence picked up a hamstring injury against Lyon on Thursday and is likely to miss out.

Left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is training again after recovering from a muscle injury and attacker Ianis Hagi is available after a contract issue was resolved. Danilo, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo remain on the sidelines.

Saints forwards Benjamin Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh return after suspension but Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) are still absent.

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• Rangers have won each of their last six meetings with St Johnstone in all competitions, their longest winning run over the Perth side since a run of seven from August 1993 to November 1997.

• St Johnstone have lost each of their last six away league games against Rangers without scoring a single goal in the process.

• Rangers have won back-to-back league games without conceding; only once since the start of last season have they won three in a row while keeping a clean sheet each time, doing so in January/February last term.

• St Johnstone have lost four of their last five league games (D1), while their 6-0 defeat at home to Celtic last time out was their heaviest in the Scottish Premiership since losing 7-0 to the same opponent in April 2022.

• Tom Lawrence has scored in each of his last three league starts for Rangers (3 goals), surpassing his goal tally in the Scottish Premiership for the whole of last season (2). The last Welsh player to score in four successive starts in the competition was Christian Doidge for Hibernian in November/December 2019 (run of 5).

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Gheorghe Hagi says, "I can sleep peacefully now" that his son, Ianis, is set to return to playing for "a huge club", the Romania great having had heated conversations with the Rangers hierarchy while the 25-year-old midfielder was frozen out of the first team. (Herald - subscription), external

Adama Sidibeh, back from suspension, can hurt Rangers on Sunday evening, believes St Johnstone strike partner Nicky Clark. (Courier - subscription), external

After fireworks and flares before the match against Lyon, Rangers could face the closure of part of their stadium for their next home Europa League game on top of a heavy fine if Uefa follows the precedent set when Servette supporters did likewise against Chelsea. (Glasgow Times), external

Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness believes the heavy midweek European defeats for Celtic and Rangers indicates where the money is in football. (Record), external

Celtic have the 23rd most valuable squad in the UK with a market value of £104.43m, with Rangers ranking 28th at £67.02m. (Transfermarkt), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

In: Nedim Bajrami, midfielder (Sassuolo); Robin Propper, defender (Twente, undisclosed); Jefte, defender (Fluminese, undisclosed); Hamza Igamane, forward (FAR Rabat, undisclosed); Connor Barron, midfielder (Aberdeen, undisclosed); Mohamed Diomande, midfielder (Nordsjaelland, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Liam Kelly, goalkeeper (Motherwell); Clinton Nsiala, defender (AC Milan).

Loan in: Neraysho Kasanwirjo, defender (Feyenoord); Vaclav Cerny, forward (Wolfsburg); Oscar Cortes, forward (Lens).

Out: Connor Goldson, defender (Aris Limassol, undisclosed); Sam Lammers, forward (Twente, undisclosed); John Lundstram, midfielder (Trabzonspor); Borna Barisic, defender (Trabzonspor); Robby McCrorie, goalkeeper (Kilmarnock, undisclosed); Todd Cantwell, midfielder (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed); Ryan Jack, midfielder (Esenler Erokspor); Scott Wright, forward (Birmingham City, undisclosed); Jon McLaughlin, goalkeeper (Swansea City); Arron Lyall, forward (Greenock Morton); Kemar Roofe, forward.

Loan ended: Abdallah Sima, forward (Brighton & Hove Albion); Fabio Silva, forward (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Loan out: Jose Cifuentes, midfielder (Aris Thessaloniki); Ben Davies, defender (Birmingham City); Johnly Yfeko, defender (Exeter City); Kieran Wright, goalkeeper (Airdrieonians); Jay Hogarth, goalkeeper (Queen of the South); Connor Allan, defender (Kelty Hearts); Greig Allen, defender (Bonnyrigg Rose); Jacob Pazikas, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Jack Harkness, defender (Stirling Albion).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

John Souttar admits Rangers had an "off night" in their 4-1 loss to Lyon at Ibrox, but insists they cannot dwell on the performance as he feels the overall start to the Europa League has been positive.

Reflecting on a bruising evening against the Ligue 1 side, Scotland defender Souttar said: "They've got quality players who punished us. It's small margins at both ends of the park. We could have done better for their goals.

"Last week [2-0 win in Malmo] we performed really well away from home in the same competition. Tonight was difficult. It's a sore one but we need to dust ourselves down and see if we can do better."

Souttar believes there is cause for optimism for the remaining Europa League games, with a home game against Steaua Bucharest up next later this month.

"It's not too bad, we've got three points out of six," he said. "There are a lot of players playing in the Europa League for Rangers for the first time, so it's one to learn from.

"I think it was an off night in parts. We did well in spells in the game but in other spells we were poor.

"It's one night when we weren't at our best but we can't let that affect us going forward. We need to bounce back and we need to do that on Sunday [against St Johnstone[.

"We draw a line under tonight, learn from where we went wrong and get back to business on Sunday. It's all about how you respond.

"The clean sheet run we were on was good and we need to get back to that at the weekend."

Former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan says non-Old Firm fans will have enjoyed Celtic and Rangers being given a "taste of their own medicine" by "taking a pasting" in Europe against teams with a bigger budget.

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Beating teams like Lyon is "a step too far" for Rangers currently, according to former midfielder Kevin Thomson.

Philippe Clement's side were blown away by the French side at Ibrox, losing 4-1, and although the Belgian manager bemoaned missed chances after the game, Rangers had no answers for Lyon's attacking talent.

"Individual performances unfortunately," Thomson said when asked to pinpoint where things went wrong. "When you do come up against a good opposition and you have to eat a wee bit of humble pie it can be difficult.

"It's a battle that's probably a step too far for Rangers at this moment in time. If you don't perform and everybody's not at 110% then unfortunately [that's what happens] when you play against top opposition."

It has been a hectic week for the Ibrox side with Europa League matches against Malmo and Lyon either side of a league game against Hibs, and Thomson says the trip to Sweden will have taken a toll.

"They played in Malmo on the Thursday night so the travelling, it's difficult," he said. "People think motivation levels will always be there but you're human too. You've travelled, you're tired, you can be eating food at like 11 or 12 o'clock at night.

"It's amazing how these wee things can knock a wee bit of energy out of you."

Thomson says Rangers must now respond with a positive performance and result when they take on St Johnstone on Sunday.

"I think when they reflect, they have played against a good team," he said. "The thing that I do know for any Rangers player is if you don't bounce back quickly and if you feel sorry for yourself, you're going to be in trouble.

"So I'm sure the manager and the staff will get around the players. The players will have had disappointments before, it's now how do they react off the back of that."

Listen to the full episode of today's Scottish Football Podcast.

We asked for your views on Rangers' 4-1 home defeat by Lyon in the Europa League.

Here's what some of you said:

Raymond: Completely exposed by a team currently 11th in their league. Philippe Clement chose most of these players and they are not good enough, same problem with himself. Not even convincing against SPL teams at the moment. Results of signing mediocre players now coming home to roost, time for a shake out.

Ken: As we have seen so many times in recent years the fatal combination of poor finishing and bad defending was our undoing in an important fixture. It's maybe unfair to criticise individuals – but Cyriel Dessers offered next to nothing and our captain was again caught napping for a couple of the goals we conceded. Optimistic signs? Nedim Bajrami is superb.

Ian: Rangers need to start to play with two strikers or at least prepare the team to be following up Dessers, he gets in some great positions but is so slow.

Robert: We were dreadful in defence and our forwards were awful and have been all season, with our centre forward being especially terrible. We are very weak in midfield as well as - our recruiting this year has been dreadful.

Willie: James Tavernier must either move to right midfield or go on the bench, he is caught out of position time after time and is not fast or fit enough to get back. His taking corners on the left hand side of the park leaves the right hand side bare, why not play Dujon Sterling in that position?

Anon: I do not see things really improving. The manager is good, but he only has access to good Scottish players (who aren't actually that good). We can only afford third-rate foreigners. Look at the difference in the Lyon forwards.

Gordon: Manager keeps picking wrong team. Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande are never good enough for Rangers. Shameful decision to sub Tav. Celement should never have been given an extended contract. Excuse after excuse not what we want to hear.

Jim: Rangers still need a striker or two, they lose the big games for lack of goals, this problem has been there since Clement arrived.

Tom: When are we going to stop playing Tavernier as a defender, he is hopeless. I am concerned about Clement because he keeps playing Tavernier and Dessers. Going to be a long and disappointing season at Ibrox.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers forward Nedim Bajrami says the side need more "killer instinct" if they are to live with the likes of Lyon.

The Albania international was one of the few plus points on Thursday night, when the Ibrox side created a couple of clear-cut early chances before conceding four goals inside the first hour.

"In the first half we know we had good chances," he said. "We have to have more of a killer instinct there. In European football, if you don’t score you get punished.

"Even in the second half we had a few chances. But this is European football, it’s different.”

Despite the damaging nature of the defeat on their own patch, Bajrami is upbeat about Rangers' Europa League prospects, given they have three points from their opening two games.

"We have a tough draw but we are a good team. We just have to have more of a killer instinct and even now on Sunday (against St Johnstone), we have to show them we're ready and kill the game in the first half."

After his deadline-day transfer from Italian side Sassuolo, it's been a bit of a baptism of fire for Bajrami, who has played in every game except the derby defeat at Celtic. He feels he’s adapted well to his new surroundings, having scored his first goal in the win in Malmo.

"It's been really good," he said. "Even the first days when I arrived here they made me feel very welcome and it's a good dressing room."

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• Rangers have shipped four goals at home in the Europa League/UEFA Cup for the first time ever and for only the third time overall (0-5 away to FC Cologne in 1982 and 3-4 away to Spartak Moscow in 2018).

• Malick Martin Fofana scored after nine minutes and three seconds, the fastest goal for Lyon in the Europa League this season.

• Tom Lawrence has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Rangers in all competitions this season, already one more than his tally in the whole of last term (three in 32 appearances).

• Lyon netted four goals on the road in the Europa League/UEFA Cup for the sixth time, and the first since a 4-3 win at Sparta Prague in October 2021.

• Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki has been involved in six goals in just five starts in the Europa League (three goals, three assists), setting up both Malick Fofana goals against Rangers.

• Rangers' James Tavernier made his 49th appearance in the Europa League, now the outright most of any English player, one more than Chris Smalling.

Manager Philippe Clement played down his decision to replace Rangers captain James Tavernier, 32, during the 4-1 Europa League defeat by Lyon. (Herald - subscription), external

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to watch Rangers' loss to Lyon at Ibrox rather than another of his former clubs, Manchester United, in action in their 3-3 draw with hosts Porto. (Mail), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Rangers failed to back up their impressive Europa League opening win against Malmo as they were undone by a lethal Lyon at Ibrox.

Spearheaded by the fantastic Malick Fofana, the French side were a level above their Scottish hosts and the teenager quickly had them ahead as he placed a peach of a strike right in the corner.

The home support, enthused by the fine win in Sweden last week, had set off a sea of flares and fireworks before kick-off and did have something to celebrate as Tom Lawrence levelled.

Corentin Tolisso had tried to tamely head back to Lucas Perri in goal, but Cyriel Dessers was alert to nip in, nick and nudge it in the way of Lawrence, who finished.

Connor Barron’s slack backpass was pounced on by Fofana and the 19-year-old unselfishly served up Alexandre Lacazette to calmly slot in.

The former Arsenal striker's second was a rocket and left Jack Butland grasping at air.

Lyon's threat on the flanks was constant, with young wingers Rayan Cherki and Fofana running Rangers ragged.

The former bamboozled Barron in the box before putting the ball on a plate for Forfana to tap in his second.

Whether you were at Ibrox or watching the game elsewhere, give us your thoughts on the match here., external

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement: "I think we started the game with good intentions, good intensity, good quality. To put fire in the stands, to have an amazing European evening and you have 200% chances the first two chances of the game so you need to kill them off to get a special European night.

"It's like that against teams with this quality. You don't get so many chances so that's disappointing and it's also disappointing the way we conceded with losing balls in areas that we cannot lose the ball and with a few times, not good defending in our aggression and in the one-v-ones.

"Against top players, what they've shown today, but 1-4 is really harsh result. If you see in the end, it's the same amount of chances that both teams have, and we had more in the first half, but it was 1-3 with half-time.

"That's the difference in quality, that they're more killing those moments and don't need many chances to score goals. So it's a big working point for us."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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The Malmo result altered the mood at Rangers and had some sections of the support dreaming of another epic run in the Europa League.

While those dreams are far from over, this was a crashing return to reality against a rampant Lyon side.

There was much talk pre-match of the financial gulf between the two, and while that was abundantly evident in the French side’s attack, Rangers lacked the potency to puncture their soft defence.

Before they were behind, Clement’s side could have had a two-goal cushion.

On the night James Tavernier made his 49th appearance in the competition – the most of any English player – his sliced shot was superbly saved from an acute angle, while Vaclav Cerny inexplicably skied over with the goal gaping.

In total, Rangers had more shots than their visitors – 16 to 15. But in moments like that, matches like this, they have to be more clinical.

While Lyon were classy and composed, the truth is Rangers may well face sterner tests in this competition.

Malick Fofana was absolutely fantastic.

The 19-year-old tore through the Rangers defence and taught them a lesson.

With Rayan Cherki, the wingers caused chaos and left Phillipe Clement's side merely watching on.

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Former Rangers defender Gregory Vignal says Lyon "are not strong defensively" which could allow Rangers to play on the front foot in their Europa League clash.

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Rangers are relishing the challenge of being the underdogs as they prepare to host Lyon on Thursday night, says goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Philippe Clement's side aim to make it two Europa League wins from two after opening with a 2-0 victory at Malmo last week.

"They're games and teams with huge stars, huge budgets and huge European credentials and for us it's an opportunity to test ourselves," the goalkeeper said.

"That's something we've never shied away from.

"It's an exciting night for the club, the players are looking forward to it.

"I didn't get the chance to compete in Europe before so to be able to play in these games and be a part of them is something special.

"The challenge, the underdog story, the people that don't think you can - that's something that always keeps this club coming back.

"If you want to write us off, go for it. We'll relish the challenge, that's something we've done in the European games and is something we'll continue to do."

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland says centre-backs John Souttar and Robin Propper "have both been brilliant" during the club's recent run of clean sheets. (Sun), external

Butland is relishing Rangers being the underdog as they prepare to host Lyon in the Europa League. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip