Rangers

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers face what is pretty much a season-defining game when they take on Athletic Bilbao in the footballing cathedral of San Mames on Thursday night.

Only a fool would write off their chances of pulling off another European upset - and if they were to do so, reaching another Europa League semi-final would be a phenomenal achievement.

It would also give the club's power-brokers a real quandary over the next managerial appointment.

I suspect that when Barry Ferguson was asked to take the reins, it was very much an interim appointment, buying the board time to weigh up their options for next season while negotiating a takeover.

But while results and performances have been far from perfect since Ferguson came in, getting to the last four of a major European tournament would be a massive feather in his cap and an incredible addition to a managerial CV that was previously less than impressive.

On the flip side, I imagine failure to get beyond Athletic will make the board's decision a little more straight-forward, despite impressive victories over Fenerbahce and Celtic.

Either way, as was clear in the second-half performance at Pittodrie and indeed the first leg against Athletic, Ferguson has instilled a greater resilience in the squad and would no doubt back himself to make a decent fist of the job on a permanent basis with the support of new owners.

Interesting times, certainly, and a semi-final place against Manchester United or Lyon would make them all the more so.

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• Athletic Club have only hosted Rangers once before, beating them 2-0 in the Fairs Cup in April 1969. The only other time Athletic have hosted a Scottish club was in two games against Dunfermline in 1965, also in the Fairs Cup, winning 1-0 and then 2-1 in a deciding game.

• Rangers won 3-2 away at Real Betis in their last European game in Spain, having gone 13 away games without winning there beforehand between 1962 and 2018 (D3 L10).

• On the last five occasions Athletic Club have drawn the first leg of a major European tie, they have been eliminated each time. The last time a draw in the first leg was followed up with Athletic getting through to the next round was in the 1976-77 Uefa Cup semi-final against RWD Molenbeek.

• Rangers scored in each of their first nine Europa League matches this season, netting 19 goals. However, they have failed to score in their last two, having 27 shots without finding the net.

• Athletic Club are the only team with a 100% win ratio on home soil in the Europa League this season, winning all five games. They have never won six home games in a major European season before, winning five in 1976-77 under Koldo Aguirre and five in 2011-12 under Marcelo Bielsa.

• Only Lyon (13) have scored more away Europa League goals than Rangers (11) this season, while only Lazio (four) have won more games than the Gers (three). Rangers have never previously won four away matches in a major European campaign.

• Rangers captain James Tavernier has played 62 major European matches for the Gers, level with John Greig, with only Allan McGregor playing more times (78). He has also made the most appearances of any Englishman in the Europa League (58) and only Andreas Ulmer for RB Salzburg (61) and Matheus for Braga (58) have more for a single club than his 56 for Rangers.

• Oscar De Marcos could make a record breaking 58th major European appearance for Athletic Club in this match, overtaking former team-mate Markel Susaeta who is level with him on 57 games currently.

Borussia Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim are interested in signing Ianis Hagi on a free transfer this summer, according to former Romania striker Adrian Ilie, but discussions over fresh terms with Rangers for the 26-year-old midfielder are still also ongoing. (The National), external

Celtic and Rangers have joined the race to sign 17-year-old England youth winger Jesse Derry, who is out-of-contract this summer after rejecting a professional deal with Crystal Palace and could leave for a compensation fee. (Scottish Sun), external

Sir Alex Ferguson once sounded out Alex McLeish about the possibility of signing Barry Ferguson to replace Roy Keane at Manchester United after the Scottish manager fell out with the Republic of Ireland midfielder and the former Rangers playmaker had moved to Blackburn Rovers. (Glasgow Times), external

Heart of Midlothian are set to appoint Laurie Ellis, who is lead coach with Rangers' under-15 and under-16 teams, as their new head of academy. (Daily Record), external

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney has initiated discussions on a shared stadium of between 3,000 to 5,000 spectators for Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow City's women's teams in a push to accelerate the growth of the game ahead of Scotland co-hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup. (The Herald), external

Rangers have earned around £13m for their participation and performance in the Europa League this season and that could rise to £60m should they reach the final and win it. (The National), external

Bilbao police have cancelled all leave ahead of this week's Europa League quarter-final between Rangers and Athletic Club as they mount a major security operation and prepare to welcome more than 5,000 fans of the Glasgow club to the Basque city. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Watch as the Sportscene team rate Rangers' chances of progressing in the Europa League.

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Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Another game and another two-goal start given to the opposition. It's alarming. But the positive was the fightback to gain a draw with goals from Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi.

I was pleased with the team Barry Ferguson picked because Thursday's second leg against Athletic Bilbao is the bigger match by some distance. When you don't have the squad depth and a few injuries, you don't risk players in a dead rubber.

Moving on to Thursday, there are a few things for Ferguson to ponder even though he says he knows how he's going to approach the game.

Number one, what does he do in terms of shape? The back three worked in Istanbul and at Parkhead, but last Thursday we looked better in a back four and with Dujon Sterling out, that's the way I'd go.

Second issue is who plays up front. Danilo played himself out of contention, so it's either Cyriel Dessers or Igamane.

Personally, I think a trip to San Mames is tailor made for Igamane.

Either way, it's going to be a tough ask to qualify for the semi-final, but you just never know with this team in Europe.

Hopefully next week I'll be talking about the season still being alive rather than have to talk about five meaningless domestic matches.

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Rangers need to get their tactics "bang on the button" if they are to beat Athletic Bilbao and progress to the Europa League semi-final, says interim manager Barry Ferguson.

The Ibrox side make the trip to Spain on Thursday with everything to play for after Liam Kelly's late penalty heroics kept the tie goalless in Govan.

And after digging in, again, from two goals down to rescue a draw with Aberdeen at the weekend in the league, despite being a man down, attention and excitement returns to facing the La Liga side who are "a step up".

"I can't wait," said Ferguson. "I am excited about going, but I'm also respectful. It's going to be tough for us, but as a footballer, as a manager, I'm excited about it and getting into that sort of atmosphere.

"What an opportunity we've got. The game's wide open. The main thing for me on Thursday night was making sure we were still in the tie, and with the performance, the guys deserved to be.

"We'll go there on Thursday knowing our jobs, what way we're going to play, because we need to get it spot on. We do really need to get it spot on. That's up to me and the coaching staff to make sure we do it over Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I look at the last two games, the last round to get into the quarters, Fenerbahce, and now Athletic Club, they're different. They (Bilbao) are a step up. I know Lyon, when we played them at home, they were very good middle to front, but it's a step up."

Fourth in the Spanish top flight, Ferguson is well aware of the task at hand against Ernesto Valverde's side but praised his players receptiveness to his new approach since arriving in late February.

"We need to be bang on the button with our tactics," the former club captain added.

"There's going to be a bit of work on the training ground, but I have to give the boys a lot of credit.

"They've been brilliant at taking the information on. It's tough because it's a different way that we're playing tactically, with and without the ball as well, so we know there's a lot of work to be done, but we'll get there, and we'll be prepared and ready to go on Thursday night."

Marseille are considering a summer bid below Rangers' valuation of £20m for forward Hamza Igamane, but Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, Nice, Rennes and Tottenham Hotspur are also all keen on the 22-year-old Morocco international. (TeamTalk), external

Of Rangers' four on-loan players, 27-year-old Czech winger Vaclav Cerny is the one prospective new owner 49ers Enterprises would "love" to sign permanently from Wolfsburg. (Football Insider), external

Tom Lawrence looks set to move on from Rangers for free this summer with replacements for the 31-year-old Wales midfielder already being eyed up at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Rangers are open to selling captain James Tavernier this summer as the 33-year-old right-back enters the final year of his contract at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Prospective owner 49ers Enterprises is set to make money available for Rangers to bring in six new signings as the Ibrox club attempt to close the gap on Celtic this summer. (Football Insider), external

Former Rangers and Scotland defender Russell Martin will be in the running for the Ibrox job this summer, with interim head coach Barry Ferguson almost certain to depart at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external

Aberdeen's inconsistency under Jimmy Thelin this season will likely rule him out of the running to become Rangers' next manager as their prospective new owner eyes a big name team boss. (Football Insider), external

Former Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has been fired by Brazilian club Santos just three games into the new season after two defeats and a draw. (The Herald), external

Athletic Bilbao are facing a huge sweat ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg with Rangers after forward Inaki Williams suffered a hamstring strain. (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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"We are really looking forward to it and I'm very confident, I know something great is going to come our way this time."

It's fair to say midfielder Mohamed Diomande is optimistic about Rangers' Europa League quarter-final second leg with Athleitc Bilbao.

The tie is finely poised at 0-0, and Barry Ferguson's side can take heart from their stellar form away from home in Europe this season, with wins at Malmo, Nice and Fenerbahce, as well as a couple of draws against Dynamo Kyiv and Olympiacos.

"Like we all know, we've done really well in our away games in Europe and Thursday is going to be another one," said Diomande.

"You know the chance we have now to play in the semi-final and it's going to start on Thursday. We are really together and we believe we can do it."

Diomande was suspended for the first leg, but the 23-year-old will "give his best" to get a chance of playing his part this week.

"It was difficult for me to sit down, to not try to move for every action last Thursday," he added.

"But I was really glad with what my team did, with their effort, their commitment and the fight they had for each other.

"We still have two training sessions before we go (to Spain), so I'm going to give my best in training and I really hope I get a chance to play on Thursday and help my team."

• St Mirren v Rangers - Saturday, 26 April 2025

• Rangers v Celtic - Sunday, 4 May 2025

• Rangers v Aberdeen - Sunday, 11 May 2025

• Rangers v Dundee Utd - Wednesday, 14 May 2025

• Hibernian v Rangers - Saturday, 17 May 2025

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Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hamza Igamane: Took his chance against Aberdeen superbly well to spark 10-man Rangers' two-goal comeback. Trickery and strength on the ball before finishing excellently.

We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-2 draw against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Frazer: Some Rangers fans might be feeling peeved at the moment, but from what I've seen, I'd give Barry Ferguson a chance next season. Give him a pre-season and move some players in and out of the club. You can't fault his game management. Conceding goals is an issue at the moment, but Pittodrie is not an easy place to come back from 2-0 down, let alone with 10 men. He's got a squad all over the place with form, fighting until the death. We'd be naive to think another manager could have done much better with this team over the last few weeks.

Peter: We knew Barry would make changes, a bit extreme though, then more injuries and the red card. I hope on Thursday we curb the crazy tackles and leave it to them. Good to claw a draw. Ross McCausland doesn't get much game time but has to keep it clean and simple, the whole season seems to be a calamity one way or another. Wholesale changes are needed in every department. I hope Barry comes up with a different tactic on Thursday, like Fenerbahce. Catch them cold and see how it pans out.

Elaine: Good result in the face of adversity. McCausland is very silly and put us in real trouble, but we showed character again to equalise with ten men. Aberdeen fans were only happy giving Connor Barron abuse, so well done to him for having the last laugh.

Andy: Ferguson did the right thing. The league is over, only the Europa League is left for some pride this season. Rangers showed some grit and a never-give-in attitude. It's looking better for Barry, can we deliver?

Kyle: It was like a game of two halves when we were 2-0 down at half time. I thought the game was gone, but the second half was better than the first half. Glad with a draw. The whole team was poor until the 85th minute, and we looked lively then, but overall, we were poor.

James: Understand the changes, but these guys really let the staff down. I wouldn't pay £5 for Danillo, let alone £5 million. I thought Cyreil Dessers was bad, but this guy just took his unwanted title. McCausland is another I wouldn't even play for the reserves, and Robin Propper is awful. They need a complete overhaul of the squad, as they really aren't good enough, and some should never play again.

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• Aberdeen are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 16 March 2024 to 9 November 2024, a run of 20 games.

• Rangers have won 13 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, no team has recovered more.

• Rangers have scored in 28 of their 33 games, only Celtic (30) have scored goals in more matches in the Premiership this season.

• Shayden Morris has assisted six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Aberdeen player has more.

Watch as 10-man Rangers delay Celtic's title party by fighting back to earn a thrilling draw at Aberdeen.

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Rangers want to appoint a high-profile manager this summer as Philippe Clement's permanent successor, but it is unlikely to be the club's former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. (Football Insider), external

The decision to disallow Hamza Igamane's goal in Rangers' 2-2 draw against Aberdeen on Sunday was a guess, according to former Premier League referee Keith Hackett. (Ibrox News), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Europe aside, this has been a season of few positives for Rangers. But this was a good point for Barry Ferguson's side.

Amid incredibly bumpy domestic form, and sandwiched between the two legs of their Europa League quarter-final, many would have been expecting Rangers to falter again at Pittodrie.

They have been inconsistent and defensively brittle lately - and fell two goals down for the seventh time in 10 games.

But a makeshift side dug out an unlikely draw in the latest chapter of the club's Jekyll and Hyde season to remain unbeaten away from home in the league since December.

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson: "After going down to 10 men and 2-0 down, you've got to be pretty happy with coming back into the game and getting a point.

"I want to win games of football, but we're making it hard for ourselves with going down to 10 men. Maybe that's on me with how I want us to approach it, being aggressive.

"I was thinking of changing Ross [McCausland when he was on a yellow]. That's something Ross needs to learn, maybe he was trying to impress too much. I thought because he's had the experience of playing that he would understand you can't fly into tackles after being booked.

"I had to make a few changes at half time. I was a lot happier with the second half. But it would help if we keep 11 men on the pitch.

"[Character] is one thing I've tried to drill into them. They'll dig deep for me. They never give in. They kept going until the end. But we don't help ourselves."

Were you at Pittodrie or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

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Assistant coach Billy Dodds hailed Rangers' "heroic" performance after holding Athletic Bilbao to a goalless draw in the Europa League but insists the focus has to be on Aberdeen on Sunday.

Rangers were reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes of the quarter-final first-leg clash at Ibrox on Thursday when defender Robin Propper was sent off for a challenge on Inaki Williams.

Goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who took over from the dropped Jack Butland, saved a 79th-minute spot-kick from Alex Berenguer before the hosts were reduced to nine men in added time when, with all the substitutes used, defender Dujon Sterling went off with an Achilles injury which requires surgery.

"Heroic, I would say," Dodds said of the performance on Thursday night.

"It was amazing how we kept a clean sheet with nine players, obviously 10 players then down to nine.

"We've been losing a few goals but it shows what can be done with hard work, graft, and a bit of organisation.

"The players were, and I'm not embarrassed to say it, heroic. We put a lot into it, but we were going to have to put a lot into it to try and get a result.

"We'll need to get a look at it, see who we've got and then we'll judge what to do on Sunday."

Barry Ferguson's side travel to Pittodrie on Sunday where, if Rangers lose, Celtic's title win will be confirmed.

"It's a big game, always a tasty fixture so it's one we're looking forward to," Dodds added.

"I swear, all we're concentrating on is Aberdeen, we're not even looking at next Thursday.

"It would be naive, stupid to even look forward to Thursday. We are just looking at Aberdeen now.

"It's a famous fixture, one of the biggest on the calendar and I think if you're an Aberdeen or Rangers player, this is a fixture you look forward to.

"At Pittodrie, probably a full house, it'll be some atmosphere so if you're not looking forward to that, there's something wrong."

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Aberdeen remain without Dimitar Mitov (shoulder), Kristers Tobers (hamstring) and Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) along with long-term absentees Vicente Besuijen (knee), Jamie McGrath and Gavin Molloy (both shoulder).

Rangers have several issues following their draw with Athletic Bilbao with the most serious being Dujon Sterling, who requires surgery on an Achilles injury.

Bailey Rice and Ridvan Yilmaz are among the concerns but Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar return from suspension. Rangers are still without Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee).

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Romania international Ianis Hagi, 26, has reportedly told Rangers he wishes to leave. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers at Pittodrie always has an edge and this time we have the potential added spice of a home win clinching the title for Celtic.

Aberdeen have found their mojo again in the race for third place, with four wins and two draws from their past seven Premiership matches.

Rangers are still waiting for a first home win under Barry Ferguson but have won each of their past five away league games, scoring at least three each time.

There may be a few tired legs after Thursday's defensive heroics against Athletic Bilbao and the interim head coach's team selection could be influenced by the trip to Spain next week, with a place in the last four of the Europa League on the line.

However, fatigue was not a factor when Rangers won at Celtic Park last month just three days after extra-time and penalties against Fenerbahce.

The Dons are unbeaten in three home league games against Rangers (W2 D1) and are looking to win back-to-back for the first time since February 2006 under Jimmy Calderwood.

Meanwhile, the visitors are seeking back-to-back wins at Pittodrie for the first time since December 2022.

Only in September 1899 and November 1957 have Rangers ever scored three-plus goals in six straight away league victories.

In a wildly topsy turvy term, Rangers have also conceded two or more goals in each of their past six league games. Yet, with 10 men, they kept Bilbao out.

Will they show the same focus and resolve against an Aberdeen side that has scored 10 in their past three at home in all competitions?

Early Sunday starts can be soporific affairs. This one should be anything but.

Read all the Scottish Premiership picks

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Dujon Sterling will be out "long term" after picking up an Achilles injury in the last few minutes of Rangers' brave 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

The defender was part of a patchwork rearguard, having been shifted to play centre-back after Robin Propper's red card.

However, the 25-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries since joining Rangers from Chelsea two years ago, will certainly miss the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery.

"He's going to be long term, he's a serious one," confirmed interim manager Barry Ferguson. "I'm devastated for him for a few reasons.

"He's come in and he's been immense for me at the back. He's had his injury issues and now he'll need to suffer another lengthy time on the sidelines, which I'm devastated about.

"But that's football, we need to move on. We'll get around about Dujon because he's a popular member of the dressing room. He's been a big player for me and we just need to make sure we get him back fit as quickly as we can.

"I don't know exactly [how long he will be out for] but I mean long term. I'm no medical expert but I've spoken to the doctor, he'll go for surgery on Monday and we'll just need to wait and see how that surgery goes."

Ferguson also spoke about the extent of Bailey Rice's injury, after the 18-year-old left the field on a stretcher following a collision in midfield.

"There are a few who are struggling to make Sunday," the caretaker boss said. "Bailey, for instance, got a bump on the back of his neck.

"He's OK, he's fine, he was in today. We just need to see if he'll be available for Sunday."