Rangers

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Rangers defender John Souttar tells TNT Sports: "Frustrating night.

"I thought we started the game pretty well. The sending off makes it difficult, in the second half we tried to play high and we had a few chances but yeah it's frustrating.

"They had chances but so did we and then when the red card comes it's difficult. We tried to gamble a bit and let a few in over the top.

"If I knew what was going wrong I'd try my best to help. It's difficult to analyse it right after the game.

"I understand the fans' frustrations, we're the exact same. We can only turn it round by performances and winning games and we need to do that quickly."

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Former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, who is currently assistant at Belgian side Lommel, believes Rangers can flourish against Genk if they "get the crowd behind them".

Rangers open their Europa League campaign tonight with a home tie against the Belgian club, having reached last season's quarter-finals.

"Genk, I think they have a 25,000-26,000 stadium, so they're not used to playing in that huge intensity," Neilson said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If Rangers can get a good start and get the crowd behind them, it'll give them a chance to potentially go and win it.

"Both teams have struggled this season. Genk are 14th in the league, which for them is very poor. Rangers, obviously sitting 11th.

"Rangers, I would think they would be favourites but Genk are a good team."

Daily Record and Sunday Mail journalist Scott McDermott commented: "It's a winnable game. Undoubtedly, It's a real chance for Russell Martin to get another victory on the board because he needs it.

"Genk will probably be a tougher test than people maybe expect. People are looking at their start to the season, it's been a bit sticky. I think they've only got eight points from eight games but looking at their fixtures, they've played most of the top teams in Belgium and the games have been tight.

"They've got some really good players. They've already been to Lech Poznan this season and scored five."

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Derek Cornelius insists it is a "privilege" to try to turn around the "chaos" he has stepped into at Rangers.

The Canada defender joined on loan from Marseille earlier this month and found himself at a club in crisis, with fans calling for head coach Russell Martin's sacking following a dismal start to the season.

Cornelius came off the bench for his debut the 2-0 defeat by Hearts then made his first start in last weekend's 2-0 League Cup win over Hibs, where there were protests inside and outside the stadium against Martin and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

Prior to the Europa League opener against Genk at Ibrox on Thursday night, Cornelius said: "At clubs like Rangers, there's an expectation to win.

"And that extra pressure that we're getting from outside and maybe the chaos that I'm stepping into, I view it as a privilege and as a challenge to come here and try to help the situation.

"I don't think it impacted me negatively and I tried to look at the positives in the situation.

"Individually, I don't think it was so hard to block out the noise. When you sign up to be a professional footballer, it's kind of the stuff that can come with the job when things are not going well, you'll hear about it, you're going to feel some sort of pressure from outside.

"But at the end of the day it comes down to what's happening on the pitch.

"So for me, it hasn't really affected me that much. I had my job to do, my role to play, to just try and win games for Rangers."

Cornelius, 27, believes he is well equipped to cope with life at Rangers after spending a year with French giants Marseille.

He said: "Clubs like Marseille and Rangers, it's clubs with fan bases that live and die for the club and when you wear that badge and you represent clubs like that, you have a responsibility to really show on the pitch for them.

"So playing at Marseille last season gave me a little bit of experience of just what I'm getting into coming to Rangers."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Many jumped at the chance to criticise and have a joke at Russell Martin's expense after he took Rangers on a team bonding trip to Loch Lomond last week.

However, following their 2-0 win over Hibs in the League Cup, the under-pressure Ibrox head coach says he started to see a change in his squad following their cold water swim and jaunt up Conic Hill.

Martin now hopes this can be a point to build on as Rangers prepare for their Europa League opener against Genk on Thursday.

"I really felt a difference last week after we went and just had a day out of this place and just spent a bit of time together away from it all," he said.

"So it set up the week nicely. Last week was a really good week and then finished with a performance which I'm really proud of still, in a difficult situation, difficult circumstances for the players.

"They were amazing last week, the fact that they were really together, trained really hard and then put on a performance on a pitch that they enjoyed and we looked like how we want to be. There's still loads to improve on, but it looked way more like it should.

"Obviously a win helps everyone else, so there's been a lightness in the last 10-12 days that I've really enjoyed with the players, and now we need to keep them there because they're capable of so much."

Midfielder Joe Rothwell is available to face Genk after missing the weekend win over Hibs through injury. And Martin defended the summer arrival from Bournemouth amid an underwhelming start to the 30-year-old's Ibrox career.

"I think we haven't seen the best of a lot of players yet," the former Southampton boss added.

"They're coming into an environment that's unique and different for them. We have so many young guys, but I think even someone so experienced like Joe, there's so much into it.

"He has young children, they have to find new schools, he has a partner that has to move again. Then he comes in with a coach and stuff that he knows and there's a lot of trust between us and him, which is why he's here but then a really unique environment, so many games so quickly and probably been more intense than he ever thought it would be."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers head coach Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before the Europa League opener against Genk on Thursday.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

• Martin felt a difference in the squad before the League Cup win over Hibs on Saturday, saying he noticed the change after they "had a day out of the place and spent time together away from it all" on a team bonding trip to Loch Lomond.

• He felt a "sense of relief" after the win, "rather than joy", and also had "pride" in the performance.

• "The challenge" is to follow up on that against Genk and make sure it is "the start of something" for the club.

• Martin insists he has not been surprised by the level of scrutiny at Rangers - "in a perverse way I've enjoyed it" - but that it is like "nothing else in football" for many players.

• "To progress, first and foremost" is the club's goal for the Europa League, but he wouldn't be drawn on specific targets as he doesn't want to be held to them by the media, and emphasises every game is important and that he's not looking "too far ahead".

• The Ibrox boss adds that he is "not saying we are going to win this competition", but stresses "we are going to attack it and enjoy it".

• On criticism of Joe Rothwell's form, the head coach says he has still "not seen the best of a lot of the players yet", particularly those coming into an environment that is "unique and different" to them.

• Building momentum and energy between the players and fans, as well as consistency on the park, is key for Martin as he feels Rangers can be "really powerful" when they have that.

• When asked if he thinks the players have enjoyed the challenge as much as he claims to have himself, he jokingly replies "not so much" but says it's their job as coaches is to help the players "as much as possible", adding that it has been an "interesting process".

• On "ex-pros" criticising his team bonding trip to Loch Lomond, he says it is not as simple as taking the squad "golfing or drinking" as they have to embrace the challenge and not "escape it".

• On talks with chairman Andrew Cavenagh over the weekend, Martin says he has "nothing but praise for the ownership group" and that the players feel "comfortable" around the American, who attended training and meetings at the club.

• Midfielder Rothwell will be back in the squad, Lyall Cameron will "probably" return next week after a "little setback. Dujon Sterling and Rabbi Matondo are "both back on the grass regularly now" but won't be involved "any time soon".

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' victory, at long last, over Hibernian at the weekend has bought Russell Martin a bit of much-needed breathing space.

Having to deal with thousands of fans calling for his dismissal in an orchestrated pre-match protest and then a further display of public discontent during the League Cup quarter-final must be enormously difficult.

Martin brushes it off when asked about its effect on him but either he has the thickest skin in football or he's downplaying the real impact the negativity is having.

Either way, he'll know the Hibs result has to be the launchpad for a run of victories if he's to have any chance of winning over those who are vehemently against him remaining in charge.

The opening Europa League match at home to Genk is the latest in a succession of must-win games facing Rangers and though they will require further improvement, that should not be beyond them.

Their remaining two league games before the international break are away to the two promoted sides, Livingston and then Falkirk, and they simply must take six points from those games as well or the heat will be turned up on Martin once again.

The return of Nico Raskin to the team clearly had a positive effect and Martin must nurture such moments to his and the team's continuing advantage.

The chances of him turning a seemingly doomed managerial stint into a success still feel remote at best, but if they can put back-to-back victories together for the first time this season, perhaps there would be cause for a little more optimism.

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• This will be the first-ever meeting between Rangers and Genk. The Ibrox side have already faced Belgian opposition this season, losing 3-1 at home and 6-0 away to Club Brugge in Champions League qualifying.

• This will be Genk's first-ever game against a Scottish opponent in European competition. The Belgian club are unbeaten in the past three games when meeting a team for the first time in major European competition (W2 D1) but lost 3-0 to West Ham in their most recent such match that came in the Europa League in October 2021.

• Rangers have won their opening game in four of the past five Europa League campaigns, with the exception a 2-0 home defeat to Lyon in September 2021.

• This will be Genk's first appearance in the Europa League since the 2021-22 campaign, the only season in which they failed to get out of the group stage in the competition. Genk have won their first game to nil in four of their five prior appearances in this competition (L1).

• James Tavernier could make his 58th appearance in the Europa League for Rangers, levelling Matheus (58 for Braga) for the second-most games played for a single club in the competition, behind only Salzburg's Andreas Ulmer (61).

Matches against Genk, Sturm Graz, Livingston and Falkirk will decide whether Russell Martin has a future as Rangers head coach, with the club hierarchy already having begun assessing alternatives in case they do need to sack him. (Football Insider), external

A supercomputer has predicted that Rangers will finish 16th in the Europa League, with Celtic back in 21st. (AceOdds via Scottish Sun, external)

Several Celtic support groups have rejected an invitation by the club to discuss the policing of the match against Rangers in March, when police were granted special powers that allowed them to stop any supporters they believed to be under "reasonable suspicion" of committing a crime. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Jamie Currie
Fan writer

I'm not sure what was most surprising at the weekend. The fact we won a game of football or the fact Russell Martin remains in post after the Hearts defeat.

I still think it's wrong that we haven't heard from Andrew Cavenagh since he arrived in Glasgow last week.

I was hoping he would speak and try to give his side of things regarding the team and the unacceptable league position. We shall see if the chairman breaks his silence.

As for the game itself, who knew playing your best player in his favoured position would help gain favourable results? Hardly rocket science, is it?

Nico Raskin was the best player on the pitch against Hibs and fully deserved his man-of-the-match award. Interestingly, he was in the six position which he has always felt was his best role.

It was also nice to see Bojan Miovski score - the guy has been starved of chances since arriving and he showed what he was all about with his typical striker's finish.

The win was much needed, of course, but I don't feel like it eases any of the pressure on the manager.

I don't know if he can turn things around and get the fans back onside. At this point it seems almost impossible.

It's not just about one game or two, it's months of nonsense that has us sitting 11th in the league. The long and short of it is: win. That's all anyone asks for or cares about.

Rangers now need to go and win both games this week, particularly on Sunday at Livingston. If not, well, we know what will or should happen.

Jefte says he has had to adapt to a new playing style following his £6.5m summer transfer from Rangers to Palmeiras, for whom the 21-year-old left-back made his first start in Saturday's 4-1 win over Fortaleza, grabbing an assist. (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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The only way for Russell Martin to win over the Rangers fanbase is with a sustained run of victories, according to the club's former goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Fans have continuously called for Martin to be replaced as head coach after an underwhelming start to the season.

They are 11th in the Scottish Premiership and dropped to the Europa League after a brutal 9-1 aggregate defeat by Club Brugge in their Champions League play-off.

However, they progressed to the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a convincing 2-0 win against Hibs on Saturday and Bell believes that result buys Martin a little bit of time.

"It was a more front-footed performance and they were more in control," the former Scotland goalkeeper told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It was all about the result for Rangers to dampen down the noise. The pressure isn't off Russell Martin, but this allows him to breathe and reset."

Rangers go to Livingston in league action on Sunday before European matches against Genk and Sturm Graz.

"He's got huge fixtures coming up and he needs to go on a really good run to turn this around," Bell added.

"He's got to win games. He's got to go on a tremendous run. The problem is the league - they are 11th in the table, which is unthinkable for Rangers.

"It's going to take a period of consistent winning - he can't even afford a draw. It's a big ask, but the club have made a stand that they are backing him."

Rangers' £8m striker Youssef Chermiti is at the centre of an international tug of war between Portugal and Tunisia after the north African country confirmed they want him in their squad. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic and Rangers fans' protests are "tedious, ugly and classless". (Scottish Sun)

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is "drifting on to dangerous ground while wearing the emperor's new clothes". (Daily Record)

Ex-Heart of Midlothian midfielder Ryan Stevenson says Rangers missed a trick with Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland - and he can't wipe the grin off his face as a result. (Daily Record)

Ex-Rangers defender Borna Barisic is searching for a new club after being released by Trabzonspor. (Scottish Sun)

Former Rangers loan winger Amad Diallo wiped his Instagram account clean following a fierce backlash over a photograph with ex-Manchester United team-mate Alejandro Garnacho. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Former Rangers and Scotland winger Neil McCann on BBC Sportsound

It's a difficult game for Russell Martin and the team - demonstrations before the game, apprehension in the stadium.

When they got the second, they were comfortable. Hibs looked a bit lethargic and Rangers adjusted how they defended at times.

It's a big relief for Martin and his players.

I don't think there was ever a doubt from people who know Nico Raskin that you'd get the right reaction.

He's gone from sitting in the stands to the starting line-up and you can see why. He bossed the game today in terms of the energy required.

It took Nico's header to take the nerves away from the team.

What's happened within the bowels of Rangers, we're not privy to the details, but what fallout there might have been, you have to find a way as a manager to resolve it and do the best thing for the team.

Nico showed today that he's a big player for Rangers.

Former Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan on BBC Sportsound

The way Rangers started the second half, they looked to really pin Hibs in at times.

The only way Hibs were getting out would be a ball turned down a channel, hoping Kieron Bowie could spring from there.

They looked more hopeful than definitive in terms of how they were going to create chances. They had chances from set pieces, but the delivery wasn't on the money when you know the quality they possess.

Rangers defended well the second half but it all comes from how they played. They dominated the ball and moved the ball well.

Hibs ran out of ideas and didn't look the same as they have done since the start of the season.

There's no question David Gray will be disappointed in the goals that they lost, especially after the disallowed one.

It's the poorest I've seen Hibs this season, I can't lie.

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Striker Bojan Miovski hopes his goal that helped Rangers to a 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final will be the "first of many" for his new club.

The 26-year-old was goalless after his first two games for the Ibrox side following his arrival from Girona, but he knocked in a second at the end of the first half after a deflection off Mikey Moore.

Miovski also had a strike ruled out for offside, and an effort cleared off the line by Hibs defender Grant Hanley, in Rangers' first win in six games.

"I'm happy, first of many. I will keep going," said the former Aberdeen striker. "We dominated the game, we pressed really well and we didn't rush this final pass.

"We were a little but more calm, and of course, we scored the first important goal and after the second we just stayed together.

"We had a couple of chances in the second half to kill the game, but overall, we are happy with the performance.

"As a striker, you always need to be focused and patient because the teams are defending really deep. So I need to stay focused all the time."

Rangers begin their Europa League campaign with a home game against Belgian outfit Genk on Thursday night and Miovski is hoping the win over Hibs is a turning point in the season.

"We had a good performance and it gives us confidence for the future," the North Macedonia international added.

"We have a lot of new players in the team. I was away with the national team, some of the other players as well. So we had a full-week training and we showed that we can play good football.

"We know that a lot of things are happening outside of the dressing room, but we need to stick together and focus on football and winning football games.

"Of course, we feel positive. It's always nice when you play in Europe so we are really looking forward to Thursday."

We asked for your views on Rangers 2-0 victory over Hibernian that saw them earn their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.

Here's what some of you said:

Alex: It goes to show that Nico Raskin needs to be in this team. We look like a much better team with him in it than without him, but one win isn't enough for me. Russell Martin, Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell all need to go. This one win doesn't justify our league position.

David: Regardless who is at the helm at Rangers, the team must be built around Raskin. It's a no-brainer.

John: The result underlines Raskin's importance to the team and proves Martin is a liability. The board should continue to search for a suitable replacement.

Steven: This team and manager need a run of wins and performances if fans are to be convinced, starting in Europe on Thursday. A much-improved performance today, but worth remembering we were starting from zero. I'll save the congratulations and excitement until we've strung five or six wins together. Let's hope this is the start of something though.

David: A good performance and recognisable as a Rangers team at last. Show us it wasn't a one-off with more of the same on Thursday.

Alex: It was a much needed victory, however, a lone swallow doesn't make a summer. There were some passages of play that are unacceptable. This result changes nothing for Martin, it proves his decisions around Raskin were wrong.

He isn't the manager for Rangers and the board need to realise it sooner rather than later. We will take the win and hope for more in the next few games, but in all honesty, if losing those games means Martin getting sacked, we would gladly accept that too.

Rab: Can never be disappointed at a Rangers win, but the only disappointment at the result is that Russell Martin is still in a job.

Graeme: Great to get the win and no doubt Raskin made a difference. However, still too laboured on the ball and if Hibs had scored the first goal, which they came close to doing, then it could have been a whole different story.

Jim: Martin was under pressure, he played the midfield that he should have been playing all season as they were the best midfield in Scotland last year and - surprise, surprise - Rangers got a victory. Hopefully he is not receiving plaudits as a football genius, as this is what the fans have been saying all season.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie thinks his loan switch to Danish second tier side Esbjerg can be the launchpad to properly realising his potential and harbours ambitions of a return to Rangers one day. (Daily Record), external

Rangers earned their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals with the returning Nico Raskin and Bojan Miovski scoring to see off Hibernian.

Read the match report

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