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.
Image source, SNSThe 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.
Image source, SNSFormer 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.
Image source, SNSStriker 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.
Image source, SNSRussell Martin was asked about Nicolas Raskin's man of the match return after being sidelined previously.
"All you ask for as a player or a coach is a relationship based on honesty and sometimes it's not always going to be liked, but I think we have a good, respectful working relationship," Rangers' head coach tells BBC Scotland.
"I think I gave him a role today that really suits him and freed him up a little bit and I think he was fantastic."
Asked if he regretted leaving him out in the previous two games, Martin adds: "You have to make a decision as a coach that you think is best for the team at the time.
"Circumstances and situations very often happen within clubs that can't come out.
"It might be a necessary part of Nico's growth or our growth as a team and today was part of a team that was so together, so committed and so brave to take the ball and I thought he was outstanding.
"So he needs to kick on from here."
Russell Martin is asked about Rangers' poor form before tonight's victory and again mentions the amount of new signings he is trying to build a team around.
"It was never going to be easy," he says when asked about turning things round amid fan calls for him to be sacked. "We should have been better than we are and have been, but hopefully today they would have enjoyed the way we did it.
"I enjoyed the performance. It looked way more like the way I hope we are going to be.
"I thought the fans were brilliant and I hope that, in time, they feel differently about me than they do now."
"He should be concentrating on his club first and foremost because there are some issues there," says Barry Ferguson as he bites back at Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers' comments on criticism of Rangers head coach Russell Martin from the former interim Ibrox boss and some of his staff from last season. (Go Radio via Scottish Sun, external)
Hibs summer signing Josh Mulligan reveals the Edinburgh club made him an offer in January and the former Dundee midfielder admits to being flattered by interest from then interim Rangers boss Barry Ferguson. (The Herald - subscription required), external
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSRangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly "loved" the team bonding trip to Loch Lomond and says the players are "fully behind" under-pressure head coach Russell Martin.
Martin took the squad wild swimming and a walk up Conic Hill on Monday in the wake of the troubled start to the season,
"I loved it, honestly," said Kelly. "It's a bit of fresh air, it's better than spending your day off stuck in your house or going back to the training ground and having to look over what was a really difficult performance on Saturday.
"It was nice just to clear the head, spend some time together. It was needed.
"Ultimately we've been training hard every single day. Trying something different on a supposed recovery day and there was no real harm in it."
Martin also defended the trip at his Friday media conference, saying: "It has just been timing to do it. This city's so intense, the club's so intense. I think to step away from it sometimes is a good thing.
"The lads can take a breath, actually spend some time together where they're not just playing football and being worked and so it was good.
"I really enjoyed it. I think if we did it when we were winning, no one says a word and you can be perceived either way.
"I've done it every club we've been at, various things, not always the sea or loch because you're not close enough. But as I say it's good for the lads."
Kelly also revealed Martin is "raging" with recent performances as Rangers seek a much-needed win in Saturday's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at home to Hibs.
The 29-year-old, whose solitary appearance so far under Martin came in the second-round win over Alloa, said: "We'll try our utmost to get it right.
"It's not as if he's happy watching us either. It's nowhere near the level that he expects.
"So if that wasn't the case and the manager wasn't as desperate to get it right, then obviously you'd be more concerned. But for as long as he's desperate to get it right, then we'll be with him."
Image source, SNSNicolas Raskin "is in a good place", says Rangers head coach Russell Martin as the Belgium international returns to the squad for Saturday's Premier Sports Cup tie with Hibs.
Raskin had been left out against Hearts and Celtic, with Martin saying a week ago the midfielder's situation was "resolved" but he had to win back "trust".
"I'm looking forward to having him back in," Martin says of the 24-year-old. "He's trained really well. He's in a good place.
"Maybe it's a necessary thing for this group to improve, to understand what is really important.
"I think it'll be a really important period for Nico in his growth as a human being and a player and I think it'll be good for me in the long term to really learn from it."
Image source, SNSRangers' tie with Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening has been described as "a horrific fixture" for the struggling Ibrox club.
Russell Martin is under huge pressure with Rangers languishing 10th after no wins in his first five Premiership games, while Hibs sit third and are seeking to edge closer to a first major trophy since 2016.
"For Rangers, it's a horrific fixture for them to be going into," football journalist Moira Gordon told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"Hibs are a decent side. They have proven they're not intimidated by either of the Old Firm when they play them.
"It doesn't always mean they win it, but they're not intimidated. They'll go and give it a go.
"When Rangers are teetering the way they are at the moment, it's not a game they would fancy and Hibs are one of the last teams they would want to be coming to Ibrox for this game.
"Hibs have a huge chance of silverware this season."
Former goalkeeper Cammy Bell believes Hibs are well capable of beating Rangers as the hosts have been "so poor defensively".
"When you look at last weekend's defeat to Hearts, the high press, making the players uncomfortable, when Russell Martin has his players playing up from the back, you can clearly see Rangers are not comfortable doing that," he said.
"So I think that's the way Hibs will approach it. They've got the players to do it as well and the players have a lot of energy and quality about them.
"With everything that's been going on, Hibs is probably one of the teams you wouldn't want to face because they're an improving side and have added quality to their squad.
"They're young and hungry, with a manager who's nailed it for me on and off the pitch.
"It's a real difficult fixture for Rangers and there's not been enough showing me this season that Rangers can beat Hibs."
Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSRussell Martin has defended Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart and the club's hierarchy as supporters plan a protest before Saturday's Premier Sports Cup tie with Hibes.
Fans' group The Union Bears intend to hold a demonstration against Martin and Stewart before the 17:45 BST kick-off.
Martin was recruited during the summer following the club's takeover by an American consortium and the squad underwent a significant turnover before an underwhelming start to the season, with only three wins out of 12 games so far.
"In Patrick, in the ownership, in [sporting director] Kevin [Thelwell] you've got people that really care about making this club sustainable and successful again and to do it in a way that the club continues to have some success," said head coach Martin.
"We know it's going to take some work to get back to that.
"[Patrick Stewart] genuinely really cares about the people here. He genuinely really cares about trying to give the club something to build from. And, also, he didn't inherit a place that was really flying. It takes time.
"My impression of Patrick, the owners, Kevin, the people in leadership, are good people, honest people that are not here to be attached to the fame and the level of importance or status you have this with job.
"They're here to actually come, make a big difference and to try and help this club not have the problems it's had in the past."
Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSRangers head coach Russell Martin has addressed the media before Saturday evening's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final with Hibernian.
Here are the key lines:
On Rangers' teaming bonding "dip" in Loch Lomond earlier this week, which was accompanied by a walk, Martin says: "I think it was good, I enjoyed it. I think the lads really enjoyed it."
He adds: "To step away from the city and for the lads to take a breath is good. It's always been the plan, I've done it at every club I have been at. It set us up for a really good week of training."
Midfielder Nicolas Raskin, who had been left out against Hearts and Celtic, is in the squad to face Hibs. "I'm looking forward to having him back in," Martin says of the Belgium international.
On the planned protest before Saturday's game: "It's a really difficult balance because it hurts professionally because we're working so hard to try and give the supporters what they want - a team that wins and wins a lot and does it in a certain way. I'm more frustrated than anyone. Listening to someone tell me the team doesn't look like its coached is difficult."
Martin was aware of American chairman Andrew Cavenagh's visit this weekend "a couple of weeks ago", adding: "He's been great. He'll watch training today as he does when he comes in."
Chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell were backed by Martin, saying "you've got people that really care about making this club sustainable and successful again".
The head coach repeated his view that "there are so many young men feeling their way into their Rangers career in difficult circumstances", adding the players had been "brilliant" this week.
Martin disclosed he had recently had a chest infection, including around the time of last week's loss to Hearts, and a close family member had been unwell in hospital this week.
Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell has liked a social media post that suggested he was being played out of position, the view of his former Blackburn Rovers team-mate Barry Douglas. (Record), external
A leaked document reveals Leeds United, who have the same owners as Rangers, aim to increase the Yorkshire club's value to £1bn by 2030. (Football Insider), external
Image source, SNSAlan Hutton says losing to Hibs is not an option for Russell Martin
Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton says defeat by Hibernian in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup would likely signal the end of Russell Martin's time as head coach.
Rangers sit 10th in the Scottish Premiership after failing to win any of their first five league games, with home defeat by Hearts ending in fans calling for Martin to be sacked.
The former Southampton boss has only won three of his first 12 games in charge, one of them against League 1 Alloa in the last-16 of the League Cup.
"I'm always one that said that the kind of rinse and repeat thing needs to stop at some stage, the constant changing of managers, changing of players, it needs to change," Hutton said.
"But when you're not winning and performances aren't there, then it becomes really difficult.
"So if he goes into the game on Saturday and it doesn't go the way that he wants and you're now out of the cup as well, that's a problem.
"If the result doesn't go their way, I personally don't see any way back. I don't want to see anybody losing their job, but when the fans turn it's very difficult to get it back."
Some reports suggest Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is making an unscheduled visit to the home tie with Hibs on Saturday amid the turbulent start to the new owners' regime.
Hutton says if those reports are true, it should concern Martin.
"It would worry me, in the back of my mind," the former right-back said.
"I can only put myself in Russell Martin's shoes, if that was me and that's the way it was going.
"They said it's unscheduled [Cavenagh's visit], he wasn't planning to be at this game.
"So if that was me and I'm the manager, I'm saying right, well, we need a performance, we need a real good showing, goals, everything to just click.
"Because if not, it's looking very dangerous."
