Rangers

Image source, SNS

Russell Martin believes Rangers will "take some stopping" if they can create synergy between players and supporters.

On the eve of his first game in charge as head coach - against Panathinaikos in the second round of Champions League qualifying - Martin stressed the need to make fans "excited" in the first game of the season.

"Every day I wake up and I'm honoured to be in this position," the former Ibrox defender said. "I feel extremely grateful for it. I'm excited by it and I will give it absolutely everything I've got. We all will.

"That's what this club, the people, the supporters demand - those who will outstay all of us. I just want to put a team on the pitch that they are proud of.

"It has to start (on Tuesday). They have to see something to be excited about and we do too. The players have to feel something it and it's an amazing opportunity and game to do that.

"What we've seen in training has been amazing. They've come with fresh energy, willingness and openness to new ideas, demands - to maybe different rules to what they've had before - and they've been great the way they've embraced it.

"Now the biggest challenge is for them to do it in front of 50,000 people with a game that means so much to so many people. For any football player, that's the biggest test.

"One thing that has to come out is that the supporters leave feeling positively about their team, their new-look team, the way it's going to start to shape up.

"I hope that the fans will leave feeling excited about what's to come and there will start being a real connection, because I think if we can be connected - the whole club, Ibrox, the supporters - if this club has that, with that energy, I think it's going to take some stopping. I think it's really powerful.

"We have to all believe in something and that will be how much the players are willing to win, the hunger, the character, the desire to show and I'm confident that we'll see that."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Head coach Russell Martin had been talking to the media before the first leg of Rangers' Champions League second round qualifying tie with Panathinaikos.

Here are some of the key things he said:

• Martin is looking forward to a night of "learning" at Ibrox as he sees his side in a competitive match for the first time.

• He stressed it's not a season-defining game and Rangers "will be defined by what we do between now and May".

• He did concede, though, that "it's a big game" and "a huge part in setting the tone" for the season.

• The head coach is expecting a "tough challenge" from the Greek side. "They have some real strengths, but so do we."

• In looking for a positive result, Martin says the fans "have to leave feeling positive about their team, their new look and the way it is going to start to shape up".

• The head coach confirmed Dessers, Igamane and Gassama are not fit enough to play 90 minutes, but will feature. Aasgaard is not fit.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers face seasoned European campaigners if they are to reach the play-off stage of either the Champions League or Europa League following Monday's latest draws.

Russell Martin's side will face Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic or Servette of Switzerland in the Champions League third qualifying round should they defeat Panathinaikos.

Like Rangers, both Plzen and Servette finished distant runners-up in their domestic leagues last season - Plzen to Slavia Prague and Servette to Basel.

Plzen finished 16th in the Europa League last season - eight places behind Rangers - before losing to Lazio in the last 16.

However, they defeated Hearts to reach the new league stage, winning both legs of their play-off round tie 1-0.

The previous season, Viktoria reached the Conference League quarter finals, losing to Fiorentina.

They last reached the Champions League three seasons ago, losing all their games in a group containing, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Rangers defeated Servette at the same third qualifying round stage of the Europa League in 2023, 3-2 on aggregate.

They were beaten by Braga in Europa League qualifying last season before losing narrowly to eventual winners Chelsea in the Conference League play-off round.

The third round fixtures take place on 5/6 August and 12 August.

Image source, Getty Images

If Martin's side lose to the Greeks, they face an equally difficult tie in the Europa League third qualifying round after they were drawn against either Beskitas of Turkey or Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas were fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season and finished a disappointing 28th in the Europa League.

Shakhtar, who have suffered by being homeless in recent seasons due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, were 27th in the Champions League last season and have already had to come through one round of Europa League qualifying - beating Ilves of Finland 6-0 on aggregate.

The Europa League third qualifying round games take place on August 7 and August 14.

Rangers fans, how do you feel about the draw? Give us your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers and Hibernian could both face Basiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk in European qualifying after Uefa tweaked the groupings for Monday's third qualifying round draws in its three competitions.

The draws come before Rangers, Hibs and Dundee United play the first legs of their second qualifying round ties this week.

There is no change to Rangers' potential opponents in the Champions League should they defeat Panathinaikos - Fenerbahce of Turkey, Nice of France, the winners of Brann (Norway) against Salzburg (Austria), or the winners of Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic) against Servette (Switzerland).

Should Rangers lose to the Greeks, they will be unseeded in the Europa League draw and will face the winners of Beşiktas (Turkey) against Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Anderlecht (Belgium) against Häcken (Sweden), or Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) against Utrecht (Netherlands).

Aris Limassol, who already have former Ibrox teammates Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun on their books, are keen on Rangers winger Ross McCausland, but the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international also has interest from two Major League Soccer clubs and England. (Scott Burns on X), external

Rangers have been told by Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Zarko Lazetic it would take a "fairytale offer" of more than £4m to sign 21-year-old forward Dor Turgeman this summer. (Sport1), external

Twente technical director Jan Streuer says 31-year-old former captain Robin Propper wanted to wait to see if he plays more under new Rangers head coach Russell Martin before committing to a return to the Dutch club, who have to decide whether they can afford to wait or look at other central defence targets. (Volkskrant), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Can Rangers strikers Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane play together?

Russell Martin believes so, with the Ibrox head coach aiming to work out how the duo can feature in the same team.

Dessers and Igamane, who have both been linked with moves away this summer, have had disrupted pre-seasons.

Nigeria forward Dessers has had an injury problem, while there have been visa issues for Moroccan Igamane.

Martin is now delighted to have the pair included in training with Tuesday's Champions League second-round qualifier first leg against Panathinaikos fast approaching.

The duo are included in Martin's squad for that game, but it remains to be seen whether either of them will be fit to start the match at Ibrox.

"They are both a little bit behind in terms of fitness," the Rangers boss said.

"But both are working incredibly hard to get there. I've been enjoying having them on the training pitch properly for a week now."

Speaking to Rangers TV, Martin added: "They are both going to be ready to help us, which is really important. We need talent at the top end and goals in the team and both definitely bring that.

"We're going to try and work out ways for them to play together at times. It might be one, it might be both, and it's up to us to work out what they can do and what they're comfortable doing."

With Lille struggling in their negotiations with Rangers, Feyenoord have entered the race to sign forward Hamza Igamane, while Everton and Udinese have also made enquiries. (Sacha Tavolieri on X), external

Aris Limassol and two Major League Soccer teams in the US are keen on Rangers and Northern Ireland winger Ross McCausland. (Daily Record), external

Three Belgian clubs including Anderlecht, are interested in Rangers defender Clinton Nsiala. (The Herald, external - subscription required)

Rumoured Rangers target Conor Coady, 32, started the first game of Leicester City's pre-season training camp in Austria. (Daily Record), external

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Summer signing Thelo Aasgaard is "touch and go" to feature in the first leg of Rangers' Champions League qualifier with Panathinaikos, says head coach Russell Martin.

The Ibrox boss says the Norway midfielder, who joined from Luton this summer, "has been incredible" since making the move to Govan.

However, the 23-year-old has "picked up a little something" during Rangers' pre-season preparations and is now a major doubt for Tuesday's match at Ibrox.

"It's disappointing for him and for us," Martin told Rangers TV.

"He has been everything we thought we were getting and more. Since he has been in he has been incredible.

"His understanding, his athleticism, the power he has, the technical capability, he really is an exciting player for us.

"Unfortunately, it is a different level of intensity and it has been high demands in pre-season.

"He has picked up a little something so he is going to be touch and go.

"We hope he can be involved, but if not then we are really hopeful he will be ready and raring to go for the second one."

Martin also revealed fellow summer recruit Djeidi Gassama is "a little bit behind in terms of fitness" and the winger will not be ready to start on Tuesday.

"Not too much, too soon," the Rangers boss added. "He is not ready to start the game, but he is totally different to anything we have got.

"He is unpredictable, he is a fantastic one-v-one specialist. He has real individual talent and I think, well we are convinced, within our framework and team structure, he can really stand out and create moments for us that will really be brilliant.

"He will be in the squad, he will definitely be ready for the second game, but the first game we might have to manage his minutes and expectations."

Rangers have rejected Besiktas' initial offer of £6.5m for midfielder Mohamed Diomande, with negotiations "ongoing". (Aspor, external - in Turkish)

Free agent Luuk de Jong, the 34-year-old forward who has been linked with Rangers, is no longer listed as PSV Eindhoven's number nine. (Daily Record), external

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Ridvan Yilmaz is among the players omitted from Rangers' squad for their Champions League second-round qualifier with Panathinaikos.

Russell Martin's side host the Greek outfit next Tuesday before travelling to Athens on 30 July for the second leg, which will be shown live by BBC Scotland.

Left-back Yilmaz, 24, will not feature amid reports the Turkey international is open to a return to his homeland.

Fellow defender Robin Propper - who Martin confirmed the club have accepted an offer from Twente for - is also not included, nor is Ben Davies, who spent last season on loan at Birmingham City, and long-term injury casualty Dujon Sterling.

Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland also miss out, but strikers Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane are named amid uncertainty over their Ibrox futures.

All seven summer signings are included in the 25-man squad, including Thelo Aasgaard who could be a fitness doubt after suffering a knock in a closed-door friendly against Dunfermline this week.

Youngsters Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis, who have impressed in pre-season, feature on the B-list.

The club can make two changes to the squad up to 22:00 BST on Monday.

Rangers squad for Panathinaikos tie

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Liam Kelly, Kieran Wright.

Defenders: Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Emmanuel Fernandez, Leon King, John Souttar, James Tavernier, Jefte.

Midfielders: Thelo Aasgaard, Nedim Bajrami, Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron, Oscar Cortes, Mohamed Diomande, Kieran Dowell, Robbie Fraser, Djiedi Gassama, Nico Raskin, Joe Rothwell.

Forwards: Cyriel Dessers, Josh Gentles, Hamza Igamane, Danilo.

Rangers' Nicolas Raskin is one of several players Real Betis have on their radar as they prepare for the midfield departures of Cardoso and William Carvalho. (Mucho Deporte, external - in Spanish)

Romania legend Gheorghe Hagi has categorically ruled out any chance of his son, Ianis, making a shock return to Rangers, despite a report saying there was a possibility of the 26-year-old being re-signed following his summer release and being targeted by Legia Warsaw and clubs in the Gulf. (The Herald), external

Rangers are leading the race to sign 19-year-old Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who is keen to leave Sheffield Wednesday. (Ed Johnson on X), external

Rangers are well-placed to sign former Ibrox forward Josh Windass after the 31-year-old won the right to leave Sheffield Wednesday as a free agent over the non-payment of wages by the financially hit Championship club. (Football Insider), external

Image source, SNS

Besiktas have made contact with Rangers for Mohamed Diomande but the Ibrox club are in no rush to sell and have set a price of between £13m-£17m for the midfielder. (Ekrem Konur on X), external

Conor Coady has not yet been given permission to conclude a much anticipated move to Rangers, with the 32-year-old defender in Austria for Leicester City's pre-season training camp. (Daily Record), external

Thelo Aasgaard is a major doubt for the first leg of Rangers' Champions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos after he picked up an injury during a friendly against Dunfermline. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers' bid to sign Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is off. (TalkSport via Daily Record, external)

Image source, SNS

Image source, Getty Images

Despite playing just one minute of senior football at Paris St-Germain, Djeidi Gassama learnt a lot from his superstar team-mates at the Ligue 1 club.

The new Rangers signing impressed at youth level for PSG before spending time on loan in Belgium and going on to sign for Sheffield Wednesday.

Ibrox is the winger's latest destination, and he says his road to Govan has been shaped by valuable lessons from the world's best.

"It was crazy to be in a team with players like Messi, Mbappe, Neymar," the 21-year-old told Rangers TV.

"I started playing when I was young and then I played for the Under-19s at PSG and made my [first-team] debut.

"It was a good experience for me to train with them, I learnt a lot of things about the gym and what they do on and off the pitch.

"They give 100% and when you see them you have to do the same, and even training with them is like a game.

"The past two years moving to Sheffield, they gave me good progression and good experience in English football. I took my chance and now I'm here, and I think I can continue to improve here."

Xavier Mbuyamba is on the radar of Rangers, Gent and English clubs after Volendam opened the door to a sale of the former Chelsea centre-half for £433,000 after the 23-year-old Dutchman refused to extend his current contract. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Twente Enschede sports director Jan Streuer says "a solution will have to be found quickly" after the £1.5m transfer of Robin Propper from Rangers stalled with the 31-year-old centre-half waiting to reach an agreement over the remainder of his Ibrox contract. (Record), external

Danilo scored and provided three assists as Rangers beat Dunfermline Athletic 4-1 in a closed doors friendly. (Sun), external

Zulte Waregem and Westerlo are both interested in taking 21-year-old Rangers centre-half Clinton Nsiala on loan. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Head coach Russell Martin says new Rangers signing Djeidi Gassama "is certainly an exciting player" who will get fans "on the edge of their seats".

The Ibrox boss also believes the winger will "add an extra dimension to our attack" - so what can supporters look forward to?

The 21-year-old scored 12 goals in 84 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, eight of which came last term.

A Paris St-Germain academy product, Gassama impressed at youth level for the Ligue 1 club and won two caps for France Under-20s in 2022.

Digging a bit deeper, what do his underlying numbers tell us?

When compared to fellow attacking midfielders/wingers in the Championship last season on a per-90-minutes basis, he has promising goalscoring stats for someone his age who was playing in a mid-table side.

Gassama's data also shows up well in successful dribbles, touches in the opposition box, and winning fouls, duels and possession, particularly in the final third.

Martin will want more from the winger in terms of chance creation, though, with just one assist provided in 47 appearances across all competitions last campaign.

However, at the age of just 21, the potential is there for Gassama to be a success.

On Rangers' latest signing, sporting director Kevin Thelwell said: "His attributes are well-suited to the challenges we'll face both domestically and on the European stage.

"He arrives with considerable experience under his belt at only 21. He is on an upward trajectory in his young career and we look forward to seeing him in action."

We asked for your views on the potential signing of Djeidi Gassama, who is expected to become a Rangers player soon, according to head coach Russell Martin.

Here's what some of you said:

Ross: Although it sounds like a good investment to get this kid, I would say Martin should be looking for established players more so than potential. There has been a theme so far that definitely leans towards the latter. However, he might be brilliant. We never know do we?

Josh: Seems like a good project, he could work with the way Martin wants to play! I just hope this now gives Rangers the urge to get rid of players who are just increasing the wage bill.

Brian: Gassama is a very exciting talent who will certainly excite Rangers fans and create panic with opposition defenders with his blistering pace and his desire to run at them. I just hope his end product is measured and his team-mates can anticipate his movement and final pass to create goalscoring opportunities. From what I've seen of him I look forward to seeing him in action in a Rangers shirt.

Allan: Why is he not through the door at Ibrox yet? That is my main thought. I believe if Martin thinks he would work at Rangers, then I am happy that he deserves a chance. There is no point in making criticisms of him or the manager until we see him on the pitch

Dave: You know what, I really do not know what to expect from this new footballing regime or new incoming players at our club, however from a business point of view I think the people that now have the majority of the say are possibly top notch. The concern is I'm not sure they, including Martin, are collectively getting it right. All of the new signings don't really give me the confidence we are going to win the league, in fact at this point in time our squad may have regressed in overall quality. I hope I'm wrong and Gassama and co can deliver the goods, because if not the supporting Bears will be down on the entire new regime like a ton of bricks, again! I suppose I'm feeling a little bit unsure about these signings and the head coach.

Jim: One assist in 47 appearances for a winger just about says it all for me. Doesn't sound like there's much of a final ball. Rangers haven't signed a name player for years now and it's looking like much the same.

Lille have offered Rangers £13m for Hamza Igamane, but the Scottish Premiership club are demanding £17m for the 22-year-old Morocco forward who would be a costly departure should he be sold before next week's Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos. (La Voix Des Sports), external

Trabzonspor have offered just £1.5m to Rangers for 28-year-old Scotland centre-back John Souttar, according to Turkish outlet YS TV. (YS TV via Daily Record), external

Discussions are intensifying behind the scenes as Rangers work on agreeing a loan deal this week for 24-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. (Football Insider), external

Rangers have agreed a £2.5m deal for winger Djeidi Gassama despite financially stricken Sheffield Wednesday trying to drive up the fee, with only minor issues to be concluded before the 21-year-old heads to Glasgow to sign a four-year contract. (Daily Record), external

Sheffield Wednesday winger Djeidi Gassama is set to be handed a four-year contract, including an option to extend by a further year, by Rangers, while up to five players could be leaving Ibrox. (TeamTalk), external

Robin Propper's return to Twente from Rangers is being held up as the 31-year-old centre-half wants paid for the remainder of his contract with the Scottish Premiership club. (Tubantia), external

Beşiktaş have submitted a loan offer to Rangers for Rıdvan Yılmaz and the 24-year-old left-back has told his former club that he is open to a return to Turkey if an agreement can be reached. (Fanatik), external

Rangers beat an Italian club just promoted to Serie A to the signing of 23-year-old centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez, claims Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Trabzonspor are seriously interested in 28-year-old Rangers and Scotland centre-back John Souttar. (Ajansspor), external

Rangers head coach Russell Martin is happy with goalkeepers Jack Butland and Liam Kelly but has not ruled out making a move to add in that department as he assesses his options. (Chris Jack on X), external

If Rangers are to sign Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, for whom head coach Russell Martin has bid while with two previous clubs, it is likely to be a loan given the Premier League club's £8-10m valuation of the 22-year-old who is also interesting Southampton. (Football Insider), external

Como winger Samuel Ballet, who was on loan to Zurich in his homeland last season, has revealed he has held talks with other clubs after the 24-year-old was quizzed about Rangers' interest in him. (The Herald), external

Amid reported interest from Rangers in Luuk de Jong, PSV Eindhoven head coach Peter Bosz admits the 34-year-old striker has still not made a decision on his future. (Daily Record), external

Panathinaikos head coach Rui Vitoria told his "tired" players their pre-season defeat by Braga was a warning to raise their game for next week's Champions League second qualifying round meeting with Rangers. (The National), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS