Rangers

As Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline edges closer, where do Rangers still need to strengthen and what deals would you like completed before the window closes?

Have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

You have to go back to October 2020 to find the last time Rangers were victorious over their rivals at Celtic Park.

Although there won't be any Rangers fans inside the ground this Sunday, there wasn't a single supporter inside Parkhead on 17 October 2020 because of Covid restrictions.

Connor Goldson opened the scoring after just nine minutes and followed that up with a second nine minutes into the second half to secure a 2-0 win.

Of course, that season, Steven Gerrard's side went on to lift the league title for the first time in 10 years.

As Rangers prepare for another trip to the east end this weekend, they have won just six of 20 Old Firm derbies since that Parkhead triumph.

The most recent league meeting was in May when Celtic were 2-1 winners.

While Celtic will potentially start this weekend's clash with largely the same XI (bar Matt O'Riley and Joe Hart), it'll be a very different looking Rangers side.

Borna Barisic, Ben Davies, John Lundstram and Fabio Silva were in the starting line-up three months ago but have all moved on.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic have lost just one of the last 12 Old Firm derbies in all competitions (W8 D3), going down 3-0 in May 2023. The Hoops had lost seven of their previous 10 meetings with Rangers before this (W2 D1).

• Since the start of 2022-23, Rangers have lost all four of their away league games against Celtic. The Gers last lost five league games in a row against the Hoops at Celtic Park in April 1980.

• Celtic have won the first league Old Firm derby in six of the eight seasons since Rangers’ promotion in 2016 (L2), including the last two in a row (4-0 in 2022-23, 1-0 in 2023-24).

• Celtic have won all three of their Scottish Premiership matches this season by an aggregate score of 9-0. The last side to win and keep a clean sheet in each of their first four matches of a top-flight campaign was Celtic in 2010-11.

• Rangers have only won one of their last six away league games (D3 L2), and are winless in their last three (D2 L1) – their longest such run on the road since February 2022 (run of 4).

• In all competitions, Brendan Rodgers has lost just one of his 18 Old Firm derbies as Celtic boss (W14 D3), a 1-0 defeat to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in December 2018. His 78% win rate in this fixture is the highest of any manager for either club in major competitions.

• Philippe Clement is yet to win an Old Firm derby in four attempts in all competitions (D1 L3); only two Rangers managers have ever failed to win their first five against Celtic – Graeme Murty (5) and William Wilton (8).

• Each of the last 11 Scottish Premiership Old Firm derbies have seen at least one first-half goal, with six of these seeing a goal in the opening 10 minutes. Of those last 11 league meetings between Celtic and Rangers, the Hoops have opened the scoring in nine of them.

Rangers are close to signing Sassuolo midfielder Nedim Bajrami, 25, on a season-long loan. (Sun), external

Italian media report Sassuolo will fight to keep Bajrami. (Record), external

Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton urges manager Philippe Clement to rest captain James Tavernier and play Dujon Sterling at right-back at Celtic Park on Sunday. (Herald - subscription), external

Midfielder Todd Cantwell, 26, has agreed to join Blackburn Rovers from Rangers and is waiting for Rovers to give the final go ahead. (Record), external

Norwich City inserted a sell-on clause in their deal when they sold Cantwell to Rangers in 2023. (Football Scotland), external

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness does not believe Rangers are capable of "blockbuster" signings and will instead try to unearth "gems". (Football Insider), external

Midfielder Connor Barron, 21, told Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill he was intending to move elsewhere in Europe before he joined Rangers as a free agent. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

These next few days promise to be fascinating ones for Rangers on a variety of fronts, though it remains unclear whether they will be fascinatingly positive or negative.

Supporters are avidly watching social media and sports news outlets for breaking transfer reports, with Rangers keen to move players on and bring others in before Friday's deadline.

The recruitment team, led by Nils Koppen, has acquitted itself pretty well so far, with Connor Barron, Jefte and Vaclav Cerny impressing, but Philippe Clement has acknowledged the squad is still very much a work in progress and definitely needs strengthened if the club is to challenge for honours this season.

Also on Friday, Rangers will learn their eight Europa League opponents for the revamped competition.

Although everyone associated with the club had ambitions of being part of the new Champions League, Clement's side will feel - with the right additions - they can make a decent fist of reaching the knockout phase.

But as so often is the case, Rangers’ sense of self-worth will be determined by how they are performing in relation to Celtic and the latest test of that comes on Sunday.

Rangers produced their best performance of the season and best in several months against an admittedly poor Ross County on Saturday.

Celtic, it need hardly be said, are a different matter, having started the season in terrific style and will welcome the opportunity to remind their rivals of their continuing superiority.

If Rangers can emerge from the derby with something to show for their efforts, irrespective of what has happened earlier in the week, there will be an air of increased positivity around the club.

Image source, SNS

Kevin Thomson says Rangers have a "game-changer" in Ianis Hagi, but the former midfielder feels the Romania forward is in a "strange situation".

The 25-year-old said this week he is "willing to help, work and fight" for the Ibrox side, despite being told he is not part of manager Philippe Clement's plans.

Hagi, who spent last season on loan with Alaves in Spain, has been training with the club's B team.

If the Romanian remains in Govan, Thomson says Clement will be retaining a "talented player" with "bravery" who can provide "big moments".

However, Thomson believes the situation must be resolved on way or another as soon as possible with the transfer window closing on Friday.

"I used to speak to Steven Gerrard and Michael Beale about him," he revealed on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They used to always talk about his courage, being able to take the ball in tight areas and risking it, obviously giving it away at times, which can be a disgruntlement to the fans.

"They might get frustrated with them, but they're match-winners and game-changers - and I think Ianis is that. I've only bumped into him a few times personally when I've obviously worked in there, a really humble, good lad.

"But I find that a strange situation now... it's also is a difficult position for the fans, they want to see the best players on the pitch.

"I think Rangers need all the good players they've possibly got. Ianis, Todd Cantwell, these players' futures need to either be sorted or everybody needs to be transparent with what's going on, because they are picking up big wages."

Blackburn Rovers have opened talks with Rangers over midfielder Todd Cantwell, with a loan option and a permanent switch on the table. (Daily Record), external

Birmingham City want to sign Rangers winger Scott Wright after taking defender Ben Davies on loan from the Ibrox club. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers' major shareholders have been left bemused by a report saying a group of American investors are considering ploughing millions into the club. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers chairman Dave King, who is the club's largest single shareholder, says there is "no truth whatsoever" in reports investors are keen to buy a stake in Rangers. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

Image source, SNS

Ianis Hagi insists he is "willing to help, work and fight" for Rangers, despite being told he is not part of manager Philippe Clement's plans.

The Romania midfielder, 25, has been training with the B team after spending last season on loan with Alaves in Spain.

Writing on Instagram, he said: "I've been aware of the noise and speculation regarding my situation, my role and my contract in the club.

"I have loved playing for Rangers and the Ibrox fans since the moment I got here. I want to make it clear, I have never once asked to leave this football club.

"I will always make myself available, and there's always a way to navigate around any situation if there's a will on both sides and that was communicated officially weeks ago by me and my team.

"I'm here, willing, and Rangers Ready to help, work and fight for the club, team and manager."

Image source, SNS

John Beaton has been appointed referee for the opening Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park on Sunday.

He will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Jonathan Bell, while Andrew Dallas is the VAR official, assisted by Graeme Stewart.

Beaton last took charge of an Old Firm game in April when the sides drew 3-3 in a an epic contest at Ibrox in which both teams were awarded penalties after VAR intervention.

Rabbi Matondo then scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser, but the draw kept Celtic a point clear and they went on to secure their 12th title in 13 seasons.

Image source, SNS

Rangers defender John Souttar has been recalled to the Scotland squad for the opening Nations League double-header against Poland and Portugal.

Souttar missed out on Euro 2024 this summer after being omitted when Clarke trimmed two players from his initial 28-man selection.

The 27-year-old is now back for next month's two Nations League A fixtures, but there is no place for goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who was part of the squad at Euro 2024 before moving to Ibrox following his Motherwell exit.

Kelly is replaced by Robby McCrorie, who left Rangers to join Kilmarnock this summer.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

It was by far the most complete performance of the season - something we had been needing, in all honesty - as we followed up the good cup win over St Johnstone with a resounding 6-0 victory over Ross County.

Hopefully that will hopefully be the last non semi-final/final we play at Hampden.

The team looked like the full week on the training pitch helped. Following on from the St Johnstone match, we clearly saw what kind of football the manager wished to play.

It was very much James Tavernier inverted and Vaclav Cerny high on the right; Jefte wide and Rabbi Matondo tucked in a little on the left and we saw what Philippe Clement expects from the 10 – to get beyond the striker and chip in with numbers.

As for the role of the nine, it is pretty much to hold the ball up and play it off to the wingers and get in between the posts - allowing quick transitions.

It was a good day overall, with six goals, a clean sheet and the team showing signs of small improvements. Two standout performers were Matondo and Cyriel Dessers. Both showed what they are capable of: Matondo with two assists and two goals and Dessers with a brace as well. Both were good goals, especially his first as he got his shot off early. Hopefully that is something he will continue.

We all know the Old Firm match is coming on Sunday and we have to go into it hoping to win, but at this stage a draw would not be disastrous.

More importantly, before then, the manager said after the match against County he is expecting more incomings than outgoings this week. Hopefully that transpires and we are able to add some quality to the squad.

In terms of positions, I think a number six and 10 are important as well as a wide forward and after Ben Davies' departure, you would think a centre-back will be high on the agenda.

Either way, come Sunday at 3pm it will give you a good indication of where this Rangers team currently are domestically.

It won't be a season killer or anything drastic like that, but it will give us a good idea if the manager has learned from previous Old Firm matches and how certain players will handle the occasion.

Image source, SNS

Ready to start thinking about Scotland again?

If not, tough. If so, lucky you - Tuesday is the day Steve Clarke announces his squad for next month's Nations League double-header with Portugal and Poland.

After a disappointing summer in Germany, many feel there is a need to freshen things up - so where could we perhaps see changes in the set-up?

Celtic captain Callum McGregor's international retirement means there's a gap to fill in midfield, might Rangers new boy Connor Barron be the man to replace him?

Clarke suffered intense criticism in the aftermath of Scotland's Euros exit, mainly for a lack of verve in attack.

How can he address that? Will Liverpool's Ben Doak come back into the fold? As reports suggest, will there finally be a call-up for Ryan Gauld?

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the Daily Record's Daniel Caw said: "If the Euros taught us anything, it's that we're crying out for a little bit of creativity and some more firepower options.

"I would love to see Gauld in the squad. The fact he's got zero caps at the age of 28 is unfathomable to me.

"The other guy I'd love to see in would be Simon Murray. I know he's 32 and it might feel like the ship's sailed a little, but 23 goals last season. He's got six this season. What else does he need to do to get a look in?"

Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell, who gained a cap for Scotland in 2010, added: "I would like to see Barron get a call-up. I think he's a young, talented player and he's started his Rangers career really, really well."

And on the goalkeeping situation, Bell feels "it will be hard" now for Liam Kelly to retain his place in the squad after signing for Rangers as a back-up option.

Pyramids have reportedly turned down a bid from Rangers for Egypt winger Ibrahim Adel, 23. (Record, external)

Carlisle United have made an enquiry about Rangers midfielder Alex Lowry, 21. (Football Insider, external)

Rangers' out-of-favour Romanian international Ianis Hagi has turned down the chance to join Rapid Bucharest. (Sky Sports, external)

Transfermarkt figures show Celtic have received around £197m in transfer fees since season 2015-16, compared with £60m at Rangers, £20m at Aberdeen and £14m at Hibernian. (Euan Booth Robertson on X, external)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Rabbi Matondo is "one of, if not the most frustrating player in the league," according to Marvin Bartley.

The Wales international delivered a superb individual performance in Rangers' rampant showing against Ross County - scoring twice and adding two assists - but Bartley doesn't think he puts in such impactful displays often enough.

"Matondo is probably one of the most frustrating players, if not the most frustrating player in the league because on his day, he can do what he did at the weekend, and then far too often we see him not perform anyway near that level," Bartley said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's a player with potential, but he needs to somehow find a way to take games by the scruff of the neck like he did against County."

Matondo wasn't the only one who starred in the thrashing of County, with many top performances from Philippe Clement's side. Bartley believes it came at the "perfect time" before next weekend's Old Firm derby.

"It was a perfect time and for Rangers going into obviously the massive game coming up on Sunday," he added.

"They'll be delighted with that, the fans will be delighted and they'll be in a buoyant mood now.

"Training this week I'm sure will be a much higher level than it has been when they have been scraping through games, but they're going have to be at that level again, if not better, to try and get anything against a rampant Celtic."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Rangers comprehensively beat Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday, and have two players in my Team of the Week as a result.

Rabbi Matondo was superb on Saturday. He demonstrated what a difference maker he can be on his day. Can he do it consistently though? And will he even still be at Rangers beyond this weekend with so much speculation about his future?

Cyriel Dessers is an example to everyone of the importance of believing in yourself, and he's getting the rewards for his superb attitude. Despite the criticisms the goals keep flowing, and it was an overall accomplished display from the Nigeria international. He seemed to take fewer touches in key areas against County - to great effect.

Rangers are in talks with John Souttar about a new contract and an agreement is close over a long-term deal beyond the 27-year-old Scotland centre-back's current summer 2026 as manager Philippe Clement looks to avoid a repeat of this year's freedom-of-contract exits by John Lundstram and Borna Barasic. (Daily Record), external

Rapid Bucharest will offer to make Ianis Hagi their top earner, which could rise to £423,400 per year, to persuade the Rangers midfielder to return to Romania, but it would mean a wage cut from the £1.1m the 25-year-old earns at Ibrox. (Spotmedia), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, SNS

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers put six past Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Elaine: So much better. Really pleased for big Cyriel Dessers. He works so hard and if he stays, will be the top goal scorer in the league. Does Connor Barron have an identical twin on the park? What an engine this boy has and covers every blade of grass. He's definitely the steal of the season.

Josh: Lots to be positive about. Vaclav Cerny will be huge for us this season. Mohamed Diomande changed the game and immediately contributed to a goal within 10 seconds of coming on. Barron bossed the midfield without breaking a sweat. Jefte is a huge improvement on Borna Barisic. Tom Lawrence, Dessers and Rabbi Matondo also showed their quality. Just need to add strength in depth.

Paul: Really strong performance albeit against a really poor County side. You can see relationships building throughout the team and it's nice to see wingers driving to the byline and cutting the ball back rather than hopeful crosses coming into the opposition box being easily cleared by their tall centre-backs. Lots to build on.

Stu: Big result to give them a confidence boost just in time for the Old Firm game. It's early days, players are still getting the fitness and sharpness back. Hopefully Celtic write us off and we can take advantage of that.

Alexander: A much-needed confidence boost but still much more required. Rangers still lacking quality and other teams will not be quite so easily beaten. It's good that goals are coming from other players as Dessers cannot lead the line on his own. Next week will be a much harder test and give us a better guide as to where we are.

Callum: A much-improved performance and Dessers has show recently that he can maybe become the permanent striker we've been looking for. Yet again Barron is a revelation in midfield and could turn out to be one of our best signings in a long time.

Watch highlights as Rangers put six past Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.