Rangers

An unnamed European club has agreed a loan deal with Rangers for winger Rabbi Matondo, while Serie A clubs and Championship duo Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday have expressed an interest in the 24-year-old Wales international who is expected to leave Ibrox in January with an option to buy of about £2m after being made available for transfer. (Football Insider), external

La Liga club Leganes have enquired about 30-year-old Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers. (Matte Moretto on X), external

Aberdeen, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian and Rangers are eyeing moves for Luton Town midfielder Allan Campbell, with the 26-year-old interested in a return to his homeland after being sent on loan to Charlton Athletic. (Football Insider), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Rangers reduced Celtic's lead in the Scottish Premiership to 13 points as another home victory extended Aberdeen's wretched winless run to 12 matches.

Hamza Igamane, an increasingly talismanic figure, delivered the vital moment once again with a composed finish for the opener and his 13th Rangers goal after a fast start by the hosts.

Substitute Leon Balogun headed in a late back-post second from Clinton Nsiala's deep cross, having earlier hit an upright, and fellow replacement Cyriel Dessers guided in an even later third to seal the win.

Let us know your thoughts on Rangers' performance.

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "We had chances, a few good saves from the goalkeeper and we hit the cross bar and post.

"But we kept pushing, as I demand, to score more and kill the belief of the opponent.

"We played really well. We had domination with and without the ball, with everybody working hard for the team.

"You see more and more people start to understand things and we're collectively better.

"[Hamza Igamane] is doing really well and we need to go on with this. He needs to do this all season, it's hard to get to the top but harder to stay there.

"I'm happy with the way Cyriel [Dessers] came in with a lot of energy and scoring a really good goal. That's a plus and also the players coming back from injury."

On Clinton Nsiala: "I'm really pleased about that, we had to be really creative in the last transfer window to find young talents. The recruitment team did a good job to get him on a free transfer.

"And also the staff worked really well, in the second team to give him experience and games. He's making the right steps. Credit to him he's focussed, concentrated and willing to learn."

Clement says he does not know yet the extent of the injuries to Robin Propper and Danilo.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It was imperative to narrow that gap to Celtic after they dropped points on Tuesday. Anything else would have been intolerable to the Rangers fans.

Their side started fast and got the reward, but that vital second, then third goal, just wouldn't arrive until very late on.

Rangers' home record continues to impress, though. As does Igamane, whose goal return over the past few months as been an almighty positive.

Home form is not the issue, although they must continue to retain that focus and deliver maximum points at Ibrox. Then address the glaring problem or inconsistency on their travels.

There were small, muted displays of protest in the stands again at the position they are in and the general running of the club and that might remain with some convinced change is required.

Fans also await any news on recruitment but, as chief executive Patrick Stewart outlined, that will be limited to just one or two recruits.

The return of the likes of James Tavernier and Balogun will help, with the potential for further injury issues given Propper and Danilo had to be replaced.

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Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly admitted he is looking to 'go under the radar' as he continues to deputise in goals for the injured Jack Butland.

Scotland cap Kelly joined from Motherwell in the summer and has played the past four games for Philippe Clement's side after number one Butland picked up a leg injury.

"I've done alright, I've done okay," Kelly said of his spell between the sticks. "I don't think I've had a massive influence in terms of the scoreline, positive or negatively. I don't think it'd made any difference, who was in the goals.

"The boys in front of me have done really well for large spells, ultimately there's been the odd lapse. But I think I've done fine, I don't think I've caused any drama.

"That's my role - get in, do your job, allow the boys to try and win the games. I'm looking to go under the radar, do whatever I need to do when called upon."

Rangers haven't lost with Kelly in goals but did drop points in the title race with away draws to Hibernian and Dundee.

"The atmosphere amongst the boys is okay, I am not going to say we are delighted we are not pleased with the position we find ourselves in the league.

"We are content with the victory the other day against St Johnstone, a game that we were looking to win and we managed to do so in a comfortable fashion.

"The more difficult the times get, the stronger you should become as a team. That's always been the case since I've been at this club. Ultimately, we're a few points behind top spot, which is not acceptable and something we're really not happy with.

"But as a collective, we're looking forward to trying to close that gap.

"We are together, absolutely. A lot of good guys, a lot of great players in that changing room as well. It's one game at a time and against Aberdeen we want to show up together."

There has been mounting fan pressure on both staff and players at Ibrox, with one section of fans leaving the win over St Johnstone early in protest.

"We are the atmosphere," Kelly said. "How we play on the pitch kind of dictates the atmosphere that's around, so we need to understand that we've got a massive responsibility to hundreds of thousands of people.

"Ultimately how we perform on the pitch will dictate the noise around the place."

Image source, SNS

• Rangers have lost just one of their last 12 home games against Aberdeen in all competitions (W9 D2), a 3-1 reverse in September 2023 under Michael Beale.

• Having won 2-1 in October, Jimmy Thelin could become the first Aberdeen manager to win both of his first two league games against Rangers while in charge of the Dons.

• Aberdeen have been beaten in each of their last three away league outings - after only losing one of their previous 11 on the road prior (W5 D5).

• Rangers have won 16 of their last 18 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home league games (D2) since a 0-1 defeat to Hamilton Academical in March 2020.

• After their 2-1 win in October, Aberdeen could earn back-to-back league victories over Rangers for the first time since September 1993 - and the first time within a single season since November 1987.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The Rangers board's backing of Philippe Clement at the weekend was not unanimously welcomed by supporters and the caveat issued by new chief executive Patrick Stewart that results must improve means there will be pressure on the Belgian every time his side take to the field - and that includes on Wednesday night against Aberdeen.

Rangers' home form - at least in terms of results - has been close to perfect and as good as Celtic's, so that, allied to Aberdeen's long run without a win, suggests he should be able to navigate this fixture without increased calls for his sacking.

Stewart's media briefing may not have produced the headlines every fan wanted to see, but it should at least have reassured them they now have a man running the club who is capable of creating and implementing a strategy to take Rangers forward.

The results of the independent review he has commissioned will be intriguing, although there may be tough decisions required before its outcome is known in two or three months' time.

His stance that only one or two additions to the squad will be sanctioned this month is understandable with the league title an unrealistic goal, although European ambitions may also be stymied as a result.

That would appear to be the arena in which Clement has the best chance of convincing his critics he can turn Rangers' fortunes around.

If he could guide them directly into the last 16, his stock would rise once more and even if the play-off route is required - still the more likely scenario - it would be a tremendous achievement and one for which Clement and the players would deserve great credit.

A Europa League trip to Old Trafford beckons but before that Aberdeen then Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup must be dealt with. Victory in both those games is surely non-negotiable.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers are working on a pre-contract agreement with Dundee playmaker Lyall Cameron. (The Courier)

Celtic and Rangers have held talks with the Women's Super League in England about leaving the Scottish Women's Premier League. (The Times)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Manager Philippe Clement says he will not quit Rangers regardless of how tough his job could get in the coming weeks.

The Ibrox side sit 18 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with some challenging fixtures over the next month to come.

Clement's men welcome Aberdeen on Wednesday and face trips to Manchester United, Dundee United, Hearts and Kilmarnock before the end of February.

"I'm not a quitter," the Rangers boss said before the midweek visit of the Dons. "I'm somebody who knows what he wants and we're going to get it together."

The Belgian dragged his team into a title race following his arrival last term, but his side's poor away form has severely impacted their current campaign.

He has also had to deal with huge upheaval across the club's board and playing staff since he joined the club.

Asked if the challenge has proven to be bigger than he anticipated, he replied: "It's totally different. So now I expect different things. But it's also not a problem.

"Things were clearer in June, but of course there are also other circumstances about selling players and for how much you sell them and how much money you can use in the transfer market.

"So there are a lot of circumstances. That's always the case, it's finding solutions."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media prior to Wednesday's visit of Aberdeen.

Here are the key points:

• Clement insists his belief has never wavered despite sitting 15 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

• Some fans walked out during Sunday's 3-1 win over St Johnstone in protest at results and the board, however the Belgian says "the bigger the challenge the more hungry I am", adding that he is "a winner and I've always been."

• On the crowd, Clement acknowledges that they have to "continue rebuilding to get this synergy back".

• Clement says he is aware that some fans are angry about more than results but stated he is there for "the sporting side" and "I know my part of the story is to get better results".

• He admits he knew before coming to the club that it was a big challenge and that the challenge is "totally different now", but his focus is on "finding solutions".

• He wouldn't comment on how long he expects an internal review of club operations to take.

• Captain James Tavernier and centre-half Leon Balogun returned to training and their fitness will be assessed before Wednesday's match.

At long last, you can catch the highlights of Rangers 3-1 win against St Johnstone on Sunday. Available to UK users.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

After last week's draw at Hibs, it was important to bounce back against St Johnstone and with the board publicly backing the manager, it was even more important for him to get the three points.

The 3-1 victory was routine as it gets. The first 30 minutes were good. Fast, dynamic, attacking football and goals from Igamane, Cerny and Diomande. All three had very good matches and they are becoming three very important players for the team.

The second half was a complete non-event, and we go again and concede a completely avoidable goal. Our home league form is almost perfect this season so far, but it will be a tougher challenge on Wednesday coming up against an Aberdeen side who have already given us a bloody nose once this season.

On the 55th-minute walkout, I believe people should be able to protest or leave or stay or do whatever they wish. I didn't agree with the booing, and agree that the club have fallen asleep since 55 and Seville. We aren't getting value for money on the park and we lack leadership and vision off it too.

It's falls on Patrick Stewart to make sure he can turn both things around as quickly as he can.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty says transfer talk around Rangers-linked midfielder Lyall Cameron, 22, is "purely speculation". (Courier - subscription), external

Docherty is unsurprised by reported Rangers interest in Cameron but remains hopeful the midfielder will stay at Dens Park. (Sun), external

New Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers, 24, was recommended to Celtic and Rangers in 2017. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell says fan discontent shouldn't affect the players on the pitch.

Philippe Clement's side were 3-1 up at home to St Johnstone on Sunday when a section of the support left the stadium in an effort to show their discontent with recent results.

Rangers are 15 points behind Celtic and have just two wins from their last six games.

"I was at Rangers when at a time of real turmoil," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They were in the lower leagues, there was a lot going on up the stairs with discontent with the board at that point as well and I don't think it does affect you as a player.

"Yes, there's a real split in where the club is at the moment. Yes, you've got this group that are really unhappy with the board at the moment and the way things are going. You've got the other fans that are just wanting to back the team and try and get the best of what's on the pitch at the moment

"Does it affect you as a player? It certainly shouldn't.

"You've got to just concentrate on what you can affect and that is the game of football.

"Rangers dropped off in the second half, their performance was completely different from the first and it's frustrating for the fans, frustrating for the manager because when you go 3-0 up after 25 minutes, you've surely got real confidence to go on and try and really batter a team and really put them under the cosh for the full 90 minutes.

"Rangers just stepped off their game and allowed St Johnston back into it. Performance-wise, second half, was disappointing."

Image source, SNS

Rangers players "trust" Philippe Clement and his style, with everyone "trying their best" to deliver it, says Mohamed Diomande.

The Ivory Coast midfielder scored the third goal at Ibrox in the 3-1 win against St Johnstone, where a section of the support staged a walkout after 55 minutes.

Diomande admitted he didn't notice what was going on in the stands "because I was focused" and added he could, "hear a lot of noise, and the noise was like the support they've been giving.

"So I felt they were supporting us, and I didn't really know what was going on."

The 23-year-old was also asked about Clement, who received of the Rangers board over the weekend despite frustration in the stands and mixed results on the pitch.

"He is all of us together," Diomande said. "He brought me in and I trust him, and I'm sure other players do also.

"They trust his tactics and what he wants to bring to the club, and we just need to deliver what he shows us in training and we need to deliver it on the pitch for him also, to get the maximum points we all want and to achieve our goals.

"We are all trying to do our best and we are all learning from each other. We listen to him and we try to improve together as a team.

"I'm just trying to be the best I can be and to learn from him or the assistant, also my team-mates. We got a win and that's what you want to do.

"I've had good games, and also not good games, but I'm happy that I was back on the score sheet, and I want to continue doing that."

Watch Sportscene analysis of Rangers' 3-1 win against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users.