Rangers

Image source, SNS

Rangers defender John Souttar is determined to use his Euro 2024 omission as a source of motivation for the new season.

The 27-year-old was included in the provisional Scotland squad for the tournament in Germany before being cut for the final 26-man selection.

"Obviously it was disappointing not to be involved at the Euros, but then again it was good for my body to get a break," said Souttar.

"I played a lot of football last year and this has been the first time I’ve really had the chance to have that break and let my body recover, so I’m feeling good and looking forward to the start of the season.

"I wouldn’t call what happened a blessing but, looking back, maybe it will be a good thing getting that rest."

Souttar appeared twice as a substitute for Scotland last term, taking his tally of caps to eight.

"I was part of the training camp so I was close, I was as close as you can be," he added.

"But it was a decision, one way or the other, that I wasn’t to be involved.

“That’s football and I’ll handle that and move forward and hopefully continue to get better."

Rangers have put a £30m price tag on Jack Butland as they look to ward off interest in their first-choice goalkeeper. (Football Insider), external

Defender John Souttar insists Rangers don’t have to panic at the prospect of losing captain James Tavernier, who is being linked with a move to Turkey. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your thoughts on whether you would like to see James Tavernier stay at Rangers, as rumours circle surrounding the defender's future at the club.

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

Gordon: If Rangers can get decent money for Tavernier, they should take it. He's 32-years old, and has been a decent servant to Rangers. If he can get a good payday for what might be his last money-making transfer, let him go. Works for both parties.

Donald: A great servant and player for Rangers, who has got terrible abuse from some fans. He has scored vital goals and has been a great captain but criticised for his lack of silverware. I wish him all the very best if he does go.

Elaine: We have to sell. We do not want to be in the same position as before and let anyone run down their contract. Tavernier is 32. He’s served us well but it's time to cash in and move on.

Mike: How many matches has Tavernier won or saved for us? We're not exactly rolling in game-changers; with all the changes Philippe Clement is making, let's not go shipping out the one regular goal-scorer we have!

Ben: Tav can still do a job for the Gers but not at right-back. We need Dujon Sterling behind and further forward getting down the flanks. His crossing and dead-ball passes are unequaled in the SPFL and his goal count can’t be ignored.

Tracy: I am a huge fan of Tavernier. What he fails on, he more than makes up for with winning goals, team spirit and passion. He's a Rangers man and has pride wearing the shirt week in, week out. I would without doubt have him in our team this season.

Billy: Tav won't be easy to replace. Very much depends on the fee. Hopefully we won't give him away for peanuts. I guess that we must hope that the manager knows what he's doing and that his new signings are up to it.

Andy: Rangers should get some money for Tav while they can. It makes sense for him to secure some higher wages for the last few years of his career. He is underappreciated by many who are too critical of his defending. The best form of defence is attack and he's contributed more than his fair share in goals and assists. In big games too, in Europe and domestically. Legend.

Callum: Tav has been a magnificent servant to the club ever since his arrival and I for one will be sad to see him go. But his time is over, be it because of age or loss of form and I wish him nothing but the very best wherever he decides to go to end his great career.

Reports in Turkey suggest Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Besiktas may attempt to beat Trabzonspor to the signature of Rangers captain James Tavernier, 32. (Football Scotland), external

Kenny McLean, 32, wants to remain with Norwich City, despite the Scotland midfielder being linked with Rangers. (Norwich Evening News), external

Rangers forward Sam Lammers has rejected the chance to join NEC Nijmigen. (Football Scotland), external

Borna Barisic, the left-back who has just left Rangers, "felt like part of me had also gone" when Steven Gerrard left the Ibrox manager's role in 2021. (Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Image source, PA

Rangers lost 2-0 to Manchester United in a friendly match at Murrayfield.

Amad Diallo, who spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan at Ibrox, and Joe Hugill scored for Erik ten Hag's side.

Diallo cut in from the right flank to find the opposite corner with a low shot just before half-time.

Hugill then scurried forward to meet a Maxi Oyedele pass before crashing a shot high into the net as United changed all 10 outfield players at the interval.

Rangers, without skipper James Tavernier amid links with a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor, came close when Scott Wright fizzed an effort just wide.

And substitute Danilo was denied late on by a good save from Andre Onana, who captained United.

Kick-off at the home of Scottish rugby was delayed due to large queues for a crowd of 56,574.

Captain James Tavernier was not in the squad Rangers announced to face Manchester United at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The right-back, 32, has been linked with a move to Trabzonspor.

Dujon Sterling started at right-back for Philippe Clement's side, with Leon Balogun and Leon King among the defenders listed on the bench.

Tavernier has scored 125 goals in 460 appearances over nine years at Rangers.

United's starting XI included Mason Mount, Jadon Snacho, new signing Leny Yoro and former Rangers attacker Amad Diallo.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, SNS

Rangers have rejected an opening offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor for James Tavernier but are willing to sell their captain. (Sky Sports), external

Trabzonspor will look to strike an improved deal for the 32-year-old. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

The Turkish club will return with an improved offer for the Rangers skipper. (Mail), external

Meanwhile, Rangers may rekindle their interest in 23-year-old Preston North End winger Morgan Whittaker, a target back in January. (Record), external

With only one year left on his contract, Bristol City's Scotland striker Tommy Conway, 21, is attracting interest from Rangers. (Football Insider), external

The agent of Ianis Hagi, 25, is adamant that Rangers will look to cash in on the Romania midfielder this summer - but has ruled out a switch to the Turkish Super Lig. (Record), external

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, 23, faces weeks on the sidelines after picking up an injury in last weekend's pre-season friendly defeat by Ajax. (Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

According to reports, Turkish side Trabzonspor are in talks with Rangers over a deal for club captain James Tavernier.

The defender divides the Ibrox support at times, with his goal-scoring and creative qualities not always enough to counter perceived defensive flaws.

We want to know where you stand on the Englishman's future. Would you like to see the defender stay at the club? Or is it time for Rangers to move on?

Give us your thoughts here., external

Trabzonspor have reached an agreement with James Tavernier to sign a two-year contract with the option of another year, but the Turkish club and Rangers are £850,000 apart in their valuation of the 32-year-old right-back. (Yağız Sabuncuoğlu on X), external

Besiktas, who now have former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst in charge, could rival Trabzonspor in an attempt to sign Ibrox captain James Tavernier, but there is also interest from English clubs. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers are showing an interest in Tyrese Campbell, the 24-year-old striker who has left Stoke City, with Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End and Cardiff City also among his admirers. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers-linked Ferencvaros winger Adama Traore has told Mali squad selectors he is no longer willing to represent his country's national team after joining the rest of his compatriots in support of Eagles captain Hamari Traore, the Real Sociedad defender who has been suspended by the national association. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Ahead of the friendly meeting on Saturday at Murrayfield with Manchester United, we decided to dig into the archives and recall the previous encounters the two sides have had.

There's been four competitive meetings, all in the Champions League group stage, though Rangers have never got the better of the Reds.

You have to cast your mind back nearly 21 years to October 2003 to remember the first match at Ibrox.

It was Sir Alex Ferguson's first game against a Scottish side as United boss, and he was fortunate to witness a win given Rangers' persistent press. Phil Neville's goal inside the first five minutes was the difference on a day Tim Howard turned up trumps for the visitors.

Three weeks later, the sides met again in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford at it was a much more comfortable win for United. Diego Forlan spectacularly opened the scoring before Ruud van Nistelrooy scored either side of half-time to beat Alex McLeish's side.

The two giants didn't face-off for another seven years, and when they eventually did, they couldn't be separated south of the border. Walter Smith's players stuck to their plan and came back up the road with a point.

Another blank looked on the cards in the reverse until Wayne Rooney's fired United ahead - and into the last 16 of the competition - with an 87th-minute penalty after Steven Naismith's high challenge on Fabio da Silva.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sam Lammers may have priced himself out of a transfer back to Holland this summer after demanding three times more than Utrecht’s highest paid player.

Record Sport understands the Ereveridise outfit were prepared to match Rangers’ asking price of around £2.7m for the 27-year-old, on the back of a highly successful loan move during the second half of last season. (Daily Record), external

Joan Jordan, the Sevilla midfielder linked with Rangers, has now accepted his future does not lie with the Spanish club who could be willing to accept a loan in which they pay less than 50% of his salary. (Que Deportes), external

Philippe Clement admits Rangers need further reinforcements to give themselves the best possible chance to qualify for the Champions League. (Football Scotland), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish football gossip here.

Image source, SNS

It's July 2004 and defender Craig Moore's fallout with manager Alex McLeish ends with him being stripped of the captaincy.

Up steps goalkeeper Stefan Klos to take the armband.

The extra responsibility seemed to suit the German goalkeeper and he put in some outstanding performances in the first half of the campaign before suffering an injury that ruled him out for the final months.

Rangers ended the 2004-05 campaign having reclaimed the league title and won the League Cup.

Klos had joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in 1999 after soon-to-be manager Dick Advocaat identified him as the perfect Andy Goram replacement.

The German became an excellent Ibrox custodian, making almost 300 appearances and winning four league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups with the club before retiring at age 36 in summer 2007.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie says playing Rangers in the league at Hampden rather than Ibrox will be "something fresh" and an "exciting challenge" for his players.

The sides meet at the national stadium on 24 August after Rangers agreed a relocation up to early September due to delayed construction work at their own ground.

"It will be different, it will be an exciting challenge for the group," said Cowie.

"Not many have probably played at Hampden. Even myself, who had a long career, except for playing for Scotland, it was somewhere I never played in a league or cup match so it will be something fresh for them.

"In terms of the circumstances which lead us to Hampden, it is what it is. We just deal with that and get on with it."

Having needed a play-off victory over Raith Rovers to preserve County's Premiership status last season, Cowie hopes to avoid a similar struggle in the new campaign and cited the example of over-achievers Dundee, St Mirren and Kilmarnock, who all finished in the top six.

"We proved three years ago when we get it right you can get into that top six," he added.

"Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee had excellent seasons last year and proved what you can do when you can find that consistency. That is something we need to strive for.

"Always it has to be first and foremost to stay in the league, we realise the challenge of being in the Scottish Premiership and how competitive it is going to be this year.

"But at the same time you have got to be ambitious and it is about starting well and taking it on from there."

Philippe Clement says he wants to bring Abdallah Sima back to Rangers permanently, but a deal is currently "not possible" due to Brighton's asking price for the Senegalese forward. (Daily Record, external)

Rangers appear unlikely to sign Kosovo international Albion Rrahmani with Rapid Bucharest determined to keep hold of the striker. (Daily Record, external)

Sevilla's Joan Jordan has been told to find a new club amid loan interest from Rangers. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip here.

Image source, SNS

Manager Philippe Clement has been discussing pre-season, academy players and transfer strategy with RangersTV, external as their Netherlands-based training camp ends.

Here's the best of what the Ibrox boss said:

On pre-season aims...

"You always want to win, we are all winners but it's pre-season. It's about giving everybody chances and also building up playing minutes.

"Players are not ready to play 90 minutes and do all the training, so the most important thing is that the team is growing and the squad is growing with every game."

On summer exits and arrivals...

"There are several older players who left the club who were not at their peak any more - like Jon McLaughlin, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack - and they're replaced already by young talented people.

"There are some who are more longer term like Clinton Nsiala, he will not be ready from the start. You have others who can step in directly who will grow and become better like Connor Barron and Jefte. "

On academy players' chances...

"We want to give them chances to make the step up from academy to first team, step by step."

On future transfer plans...

"We've been looking at a lot of players, had a lot of talks, some deals we could do, some we could not. Everybody is working hard on that.

"We're not where we want to be at the end of the August but I don't think that's the case for any team in the world.

"We work hard with the players who are in the building to be ready for the first game and then we will see. I know for fans you think everything is possible at the moment but that's not the reality.

"I think the most important thing is that everybody is aligned about the plans, the board, the recruitment staff, me. Not only short term but also long term."

Manager Philippe Clement reckons Rangers should only consider selling Jack Butland if there is an offer of £30m for the goalkeeper. (Daily Record), external

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers reveals there has been "some interest" from other clubs but the 29-year-old hopes to stay at Ibrox. (Ziggo Sport Voetbal via Football Scotland, external)

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Rangers boss Philippe Clement enjoyed an "interesting and difficult test" against Ajax in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly defeat.

Tom Lawrence was on target for the Ibrox side in the Netherlands, while Danilo made a comeback from long-term injury.

However, Nico Raskin was seen leaving the Mulderssingel stadium in Wezep on crutches after being withdrawn late in the first half.

"He twisted his ankle," Clement told RangersTV. "I hope it’s not too bad because we cannot lose players. It was an unlucky duel. We will see."

On Danilo's first appearance since December, the Belgian added: "It’s great to see his smile again after seven horror months for him because he loves so much to play football."

Despite the loss, Clement said he had seen "positive things" against Ajax.

"It was a game on a European level against a good team," he explained.

"We knew also that they were further into their preparation because they have qualification games on 25 July.

"We created really good chances against them with a few really good combinations through the midfield.

"Several midfielders are already reaching a very good level, like Mohamed Diomande, Connor Barron, Tom Lawrence and Scott Wright came in and was dangerous in the second half."

Rangers are increasingly likely to accept an offer for Connor Goldson, with Birmingham City leading the race for the central defender. (Football Insider), external

Manager Philippe Clement reveals Rangers will need to sell players before he can press ahead with his squad rebuild, admitting he had "other expectations" when taking the job last October. (Daily Record), external

Sevilla have rejected a loan approach from Rangers for Joan Jordan and the 30-year-old midfielder hopes to force his way back into the first-team plans at the La Liga club. (El Desmarque via Daily Record, external)

Rangers have made enquires on Cheik Niasse, with the midfielder at Swiss club Young Boys also attracting interest from Serie A side Udinese. (Gianluigi Longari on X), external

Rangers are listening to offers for Romania midfielder Ianis Hagi and will sell him for a seven-figure fee. (Football Insider), external

Rangers will receive a sell-on fee as former midfielder Glen Kamara heads for an £8.6m move from Leeds United to Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Rangers ended their training camp in the Netherlands with a 2-1 defeat to Ajax.

Kian Fitz-Jim opened the scoring for the Dutch side in Wezep, sending in a low shot from a tight angle, but Rangers soon levelled with a fine free-kick from Tom Lawrence.

Ajax regained the lead before the break with a free-kick of their own as Jack Butland failed to keep out Branco van den Boomen's effort.

Despite the loss, Philippe Clement was boosted by the return of striker Danilo, who played his first minutes since suffering a serious knee injury in December.

James Tavernier's future with Rangers is in limbo as the Ibrox club decide whether or not they want to cash in on their captain to strengthen the squad, but any potential bids for the 32-year-old right-back from Saudi Arabian clubs are likely to arrive late in the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Rangers know they will not recoup the £3.5m they paid Atalanta for Sam Lammers and will snap the hands off any club offering £2m for the 27-year-old forward who was on loan to Utrecht. (Football Insider), external

Liam Kelly, the 28-year-old Scotland squad goalkeeper, insists that his return to Rangers is worth sacrificing the Motherwell captaincy, regular action and potentially his international place for as understudy to Jack Butland. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.