Rangers

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement had made five changes to face Hearts from the side that lost to Queen's Park while insisting they were the result of squad rotation rather than a response to that damaging Scottish Cup exit.

The Glasgow side had been nine unbeaten domestically before then but were five away from home without a win before beating Dundee United in their previous trip outside Ibrox.

Which Rangers would turn up after heading along the M8?

It was certainly a more familiar line-up than the one that started against their Glasgow rivals and they looked to have returned to their previous form early on.

However, the fragility and inconsistency that has marred their domestic season returned and they can count themselves fortunate to have extended their unbeaten run against Hearts to 18 meetings.

That goalkeeper Jack Butland was man of the match tells its own story.

In the end, captain James Tavernier was able to celebrate his 300th Premiership appearance, making him the first non-Scottish player to reach that total in the competition since its 2013 rebrand, with a victory.

More importantly, Clement and the club's board will be able to breathe a sigh of relief as the pressure eases on the Belgian and he and his players took a small step towards mending their relationship with their disgruntled fans ahead of St Mirren's visit next weekend.

Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, 22, admits he needs to improve and believes he is "far from my potential". (Record), external

Manager Philippe Clement reveals Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, 18, was withdrawn at half-time of last weekend's Scottish Cup loss to Queen's Park for not "passing forward to break lines" but Clement insists Rice is "a player I really believe in". (Sun), external

Clement will not walk away from the toughest period in his managerial career. (Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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After a bruising few days in which Philippe Clement has battled media and fan criticism, the Rangers manager admitted this has been the toughest period of his managerial career.

The Belgian has been dealing with the fall-out from Rangers' loss to Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup, while in the league they trail Celtic by 16 points before Sunday's game against Hearts.

"Yes, it is," said Clement, when asked if this was the hardest spell of his 13 years in management. "And for sure because of the last game, it's the most freaky one also, to lose that game.

"Because of that, with all the reactions, yes that's the toughest moment until now. But I'm not running away from it.

"I think it's the same as in Club Brugge where you need to win every game.

"But I didn't have freaky results like we had and I understand all the anger around that result."

A poor result against Hearts, who are yet to lose in 2025, would only add to the pressure but Clement is certain he can lift his players.

"[I plan] to speak with them, to see who needs what, to see what we need as a team, to learn from this last game where mistakes were made and things they did well," said the 50-year-old.

"And to focus on Hearts because it's a different game, it's a different opponent.

"And we need to show again what the team has shown the last weeks, this last period, where they played good games. That's what we need to show on Sunday."

The manager also defended his decision to replace 18-year-old Bailey Rice at half-time against Queen's Park, on the youngster's first professional start for Rangers.

"I know there is concern from people about Bailey being taken off and the effect it will be on him. I can say there's no reason to have any doubts about that.

"We had a meeting with Bailey like we do with other players, and it's always collectively and individually with players.

"Bailey was the first one who was not happy with his first half. It's normal, he's 18, the first start at Ibrox, he's a lifelong fan. There is a certain tension around that.

"He's a player really I believe in. I don't give easy chances to 18-year-olds in a big European game or to start games like that."

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is currently undergoing protocols for concussion but could still feature, while Lewis Neilson has recovered after coming off early on against St Mirren last Monday.

Craig Halkett (hamstring), Frankie Kent (quad) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) are out.

Rangers have no fresh injury problems. Danilo, Leon Balogun, Connor Barron, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo have been sidelined in recent games.

Former Chelsea director of football operations Mike Forde is heading up Rangers' review of their football operations. (Sun), external

Ex-Rangers centre-half Carlos Cuellar, who has completed his Uefa Pro Licence and is currently the manager of Real Murcia's B team, would like to return to Ibrox one day as team boss. (Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Ianis Hagi says Rangers is "not a happy place" after the humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park consigned the club to a trophyless domestic season.

The defeat has also ramped up the pressure on manager Philippe Clement, whose side trail Premiership leaders Celtic by 13 points although are through to the Europa League last 16.

"Look, we're all in this together," said Romania midfielder Hagi.

"From the board to the kit manager, we're all in this together and we're not going to let anyone feel alone.

"It's not a happy place right now and we can't just hide behind curtains.

"It is that way and as a man and as a professional football player, if you want to perform at this club, you need to accept that and show it as soon as possible that you've learned what you've done wrong and then move forward and try to build in terms of going and have success in the near future."

Hagi conceded that the defeat by Queen's Park was "probably one of the worst days" of his career.

He said: "The disappointment was huge and unfortunately, as a football player, even though you don't want to, you sometimes have to go through these types of scenarios.

"It comes into my mind also the game against Iceland with Romania in 2020 when we had to win at home and we drew and we just missed out on the play-offs for the World Cup.

"There are those types of nights where you just go home and you just can't sleep for a couple of days."

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Manager Philippe Clement has stated his desire to stay and fight at Rangers as he comes under increasing pressure following the Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park.

The manager was asked about his decision to stay at Ibrox last summer after expressing frustration at the lack of transfer funds.

"No [regrets], otherwise I would not be here." Clement said.

"I know why I made that decision. It's because of the synergy with the fans and because I know how great this place can be if you have success, if you win trophies.

"There is my hunger, my desire for all of that. That's a choice I made before I came compared with other teams who were interested at that moment and it's still the case here."

The Belgian is under intense scrutiny, with a video of fans' vitriolic reaction to the cup defeat going viral following Sunday's defeat.

"It was a really down moment, a hard moment, a moment that I understand all the reactions - but I know all these other reactions from the past and how great a place this can be," Clement said.

"My determination is day and night to make that story better, to get this consistency, what we had during our longer periods - but not long enough. That's what we need to build with this squad, to get this consistency every three days. That's what fans expect."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media before Rangers' Premiership trip to Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the key points from the under-pressure Ibrox boss:

• Clement says it has been "a long week" and one "full of frustrations" after the Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park.

• He spoke to CEO Patrick Stewart after the match, but says he does this "after every game" so it was "nothing special" and adds "not one manager in the world has guarantees".

• Clement says the cup result did not reflect the game and he "didn't have any other signal of no backing" amid intense speculation about his future.

• The Rangers boss knows the cup defeat was "unacceptable" and left everyone at the club "devastated and sick" but now "we need to react".

• Speaking on the abuse he received as he left Ibrox last Sunday, he said "it hurts" and, while he did not say a line had been crossed, he referred to Stuart Kettlewell's exit from Motherwell a few weeks ago.

• Clement has no regrets about staying on when he could have walked last year and says his "determination is day and night to make that story better".

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Philippe Clement remaining as manager in the wake of the Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park "speaks to where Rangers are at as a club", says former striker Rory Loy.

"No manager in Rangers history would ever have survived that result. They would have been gone by the Monday morning," Loy told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"And it just speaks to where Rangers are at. Poor mismanagement in the club means financially they can't afford to let them go.

"And it's a result that will live forever in the memory of the Rangers fans because you still talk about Berwick, Dumbarton, these types of fixtures.

"These are decades and decades ago. And this one supersedes it because it was at Ibrox. And I think it's a sign of the rise and fall of Rangers that they're not in a position where they're able to relieve them of their duties."

Chris Bertram
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Philippe Clement will perhaps be surprised he is still in charge at Ibrox after the embarrassing Scottish Cup exit against Queen's Park.

With Rangers failing to mount a title challenge, the defeat against the Spiders has turned up the heat significantly on the Belgian.

Rangers' hierarchy have been tight-lipped all week, which is a backing of sorts. But Clement will surely know a poor result at Tynecastle on Sunday will nudge him closer to an exit.

Six weeks ago he might have fancied his side's chances of earning a morale-boosting victory, but Neil Critchley has steadily improved Hearts once he had time to assess the squad.

They have won four of their five league games in 2025 - with one draw - and Cammy Devlin has been pivotal to the resurgence. He tops the table for the number of tackles (23) as well as being joint-top for interceptions in the Premiership in 2025.

The loan signing of Belgian striker Elton Kabangu seems to have liberated Lawrence Shankland too, and the Jambos showed the sort of resilience that was sorely lacking earlier in the season when they edged past St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.

Yet, despite the cloud hanging over Clement, Rangers have won their past four league games - and all by a margin of at least two goals.

History is in Clement's favour too, with Hearts winless in their past 17 meetings with Rangers in all competitions, a run that includes 13 defeats.

So, Rangers and their fans have become used to success against Hearts, and therefore anything other than another victory in Gorgie could spell the end for Clement.

Read all this weekend's Premiership picks

Ibrox CEO Patrick Stewart has insisted Rangers' decision to stick by Philippe Clement is not driven by the £1.2m it would reportedly cost to sack him. (The Herald)., external

Belgian coaching legend Georges Leekens says the Ibrox board would be mad not to let Clement finish the job he has started at Rangers. (Scottish Sun), external

Ex-Rangers striker Martyn Waghorn, who arrived at Ibrox alongside former Wigan Athletic team-mate James Tavernier, has announced his retirement. (Daily Record), external

Former England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says the only player who scared him in his career was ex-Rangers midfielder Kevin Muscat. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.

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Besides a few reposts, Rangers have gone radio silent on their social media platforms since Sunday's Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park.

Philippe Clement's post-match press conference was the last output from the club, and it appears increasingly likely his pre-match chat before Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts on Friday will be their next.

What Clement will say then, will be of great intrigue. The Belgian has seemingly been backed by the club, despite overseeing one of the biggest cup shocks in the club's history.

But, no one really knows, since the club haven't confirmed anything. The silence has only intensified the scrutiny.

What is for sure, though, is Rangers must get back on track on their trip to Tynecastle.

When the Ibrox club were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Hamilton Accies in 1987, they followed it up with a 5-2 win in Gorgie.

In 1967 when Berwick booted Rangers out the same competition, Hearts were again their next opponents, and yes, they were hit for five then too.

Continuing that trend on Sunday wouldn't be the worst way to winning round a support scunnered by what they saw against the Spiders last week.

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• Should Rangers captain James Tavernier play at Tynecastle it will be his 300th appearance in the Premiership, making him the first non-Scottish player to reach that total in the competition since its 2013 rebrand. The only other players to make 300+ are Callum McGregor (336), Andy Considine (319), Marcus Fraser (312), and Stephen O'Donnell (305).

• Midfielder Jorge Grant made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Hearts in Monday night's Scottish Cup win at St Mirren.

• Hearts are winless in their past 17 meetings with Rangers in all competitions (D4 L13) since a 1-0 win in the Scottish Cup in February 2020.

• Rangers have only lost one of their past 26 league games against Hearts (W19 D6), going down 2-1 in January 2020 under Steven Gerrard.

• Hearts have won four of their five league games in 2025 (D1), as many as their final 22 such matches of 2024 (W4 D7 L11).

• Rangers have won each of their past four league games, all by a margin of 2+ goals. That's the club's longest run of league wins by more than one goal since April 2023 under Michael Beale (5 in a row).

Philippe Clement's tenure at Rangers is mirroring his spell at Monaco - which ended with poor man-management leading to him losing the support of his players. (Scottish Sun), external

Representatives on Rangers' Fan Advisory Board met with CEO Patrick Stewart last week - but the group has already been back in touch with the club to "convey the strength of fan sentiment following that unacceptable result" against Queen's Park. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Rangers and Heart of Midlothian defender David Weir is in line to return to another of his former clubs, Everton, in a director of football role. (The Herald), external

Former Scotland defender Danny Wilson lived in Disney World for three weeks after leaving Rangers as he began his career at Colorado Rapids. (Open Goal), external

Former France striker Loic Remy, who won the Premier League with Chelsea, says missing out on playing in the Old Firm match is his biggest regret in football. (Plejmo.com via Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' defeat by Queen's Park without question represents the nadir of Philippe Clement's troubled time in charge, but with three days having passed since their worst result in almost 60 years, it appears there is no boardroom appetite to dismiss the manager immediately.

That is in stark contrast to the feeling among supporters, whose hopes of domestic silverware have been extinguished so early in the season and for whom the solace of a place in the last 16 of the Europa League is simply inadequate.

While Clement will shoulder the blame for another abject performance and result, the players have let him down massively, outfought and at times outplayed by a team, with the greatest of respect, who should have been swatted aside.

Where Rangers go from here, while the independent review into the running of the club is ongoing, is unclear. But unless Clement can somehow guide this squad deep into the Europa League, there appears to be little chance he will continue in his role beyond the end of the season.

There is an argument it would be better to install a new manager now, allowing him to get his feet under the table while seeing out the season rather than having to hit the ground running at the start of the next campaign, but Clement is adamant he should be trusted to continue the project he began.

His powers of persuasion with Patrick Stewart and the rest of the Rangers board will have to be strong and failure to get beyond the next round of the Europa League would surely signal the end of what has been a tumultuous reign.

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Rangers youngster Bailey Rice was "hung out to dry" by manager Philippe Clement in the shock defeat by Queen's Park, according to former defender Craig Moore. (Daily Record, external)

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday says the Ibrox side's lack of urgency in their Scottish Cup loss highlighted the "massive gulf" between them and Celtic. (Daily Record, external)

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Going to Ibrox right now is the "least enjoyable" it has been in a long time and "95% of fans" want Philippe Clement to leave, believes Scottish coach and analyst John Walker.

The Scottish Cup exit at home to second-tier Queen's Park has ramped up the pressure once again on beleaguered manager Clement.

"The Queen's Park result was just the icing on the cake - about 95% of fans are [Clement] out," Walker, a Rangers fan, told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"The entertainment factor is not there at all.

"It's the least enjoyable I've ever felt going to Rangers games regularly. It's every time you turn up you don't really know what you're getting.

"You might get goals, but I would expect Rangers to score whether they were a creative team playing well or whatever."

While Clement has led Rangers to the Europa League last 16 and the League Cup final this season, his side are lagging 13 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic, and Walker says the Belgian doesn't have enough credit with the fans to smooth over the rough patches.

"I think the only time it's ever been this way for such a prolonged period was Alex McLeish after the fourth season and we know how Alex McLeish was having to run Rangers," he added.

"He was not given a single penny after the first two seasons, but McLeish had five trophies in the bank and went on and actually dragged another title and League Cup out of Rangers.

"Clement doesn't have that in the bank, so fans are turning up not enjoying it."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Embarrassing. Shambolic. Miles away from being good enough. The general attitude of the players from the first minute on Sunday was a complete disgrace.

Too many thought they could coast it, do the bare minimum and get away with it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and they got what they deserved on the day.

That was our last attempt at a domestic trophy this season and it looked like we couldn't be bothered with the game.

As for the manager, we will continue this way under him; one step forward, three steps back. It's much like when Erik ten Hag was manager at Manchester United. For every good result, you just knew a crazy shambles was around the corner.

And as much as you want to back a manager and will them to do well, no Rangers boss should survive a defeat at home to Queen's Park.

There should be no way back for Clement after this, but I don't think the board have it in them or have any plan to follow through and remove him from the job.

They are also part of the problem. They seem happy to lower the standards required of being a Ranger. Instead of trophies in the last decade, we have New Edmiston House.

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It will cost Rangers £1.2m in compensation if the club's board want to sack manager Philippe Clement in the wake of Sunday's embarrassing Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park (Scottish Sun)., external

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd says Clement should be removed from his job after the loss (Scottish Sun), external.

Rangers boss Clement will be dismissed if his side get knocked out of the Europa League in the last 16 (Football Insider)., external