Rangers

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The uncertainty around Rangers' stadium situation is a "shambles" from senior club officials, says A View from the Terrace presenter Craig Telfer.

On Thursday, chairman John Bennett said the club are in the final stages of confirming a temporary switch to Hampden Park after a "delay in materials shipment" left Ibrox off the table for the start of the season.

"Rangers would have known this was in the pipeline months before the season finished," Telfer told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The fact we're on the cusp of the new season and there's still dubiety over where they'll be playing, it's a bit of a shambles from senior members at the club."

Telfer was sceptical when asked whether Rangers will be able to recreate the ferocious Ibrox atmosphere at the national stadium.

"No is how I would answer that," he said. "Hampden can be a cauldron. When the national team are playing, in the right circumstances, under the lights, it can be noisy.

"I'm not sure if Rangers fans will be able to recreate that for their European qualifiers. It's something they've done really well in Europe, making advantage of Ibrox.

"The games against Dortmund and Leipzig, it was really difficult for the opposition to get into a rhythm. I'm not sure they'll have the same advantage at Hampden."

Rangers manager Philippe Clement admits new signings Clinton Nsiala and Hamza Igamane are not first-team ready and have been brought in with an eye to the future. (Football Scotland), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on what would be a successful season for Rangers this time around.

Here’s what some of you said:

David: Champions League qualification and winning the league has to be the goal this season, we need the Champions League money to really grow as a club in the right direction and we have to show we won't "bottle" it. Cups would be nice, but the league has to take priority.

Matthew: People will likely say the title, and while that would be great, we're assembling what looks like a much younger team which might take time to gel, so a couple of victories over Celtic, and the new signings proving themselves to show that we can lay a glove again, and to give the fans some excitement in our recruitment, would be a success to me!

Phil: Top priority must be to wrestle the title from Celtic. In order to do that we must put together a team that is capable of beating Celtic. The manager will be judged on the players he recruits this summer.

Mari: Number one priority is winning the league title. We must show mentality and more belief in ourselves especially in Old Firm games. It's a big ask with so many young, new players who will need to hit the ground running! Second best isn't acceptable long-term, let’s get some pride back, we deserve that much.

Billy: The prime objective for me is winning the league. Second to that I would like to see Rangers implement a much more positive and attacking philosophy than what has been the norm for far too long.

Chris: The only way this will be a successful season is winning the league. Nothing else matters in my eyes.

James: They have to be champions at the end of the season. Anything else would be a failure and a total disaster.

Alex: Winning the league as a minimum. A double would be good, and knockout stages in Europe. Anything less than a league win will be another failure.

Drew: Nothing less than winning the title is good enough this, and every season. Rangers seem to have lost that mentality in recent years, but it's what Rangers is built on, a winning mentality. First is everything, second is nowhere.

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Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says speculation surrounding the "outstanding" Lennon Miller is going nowhere as he is "getting better and better every day".

Reports this week suggested Rangers are keeping a close eye on the teenage midfielder, who is already an integral part of the Fir Park side at the age of just 17.

When asked about the Ibrox club's potential interest, Kettlewell said: "I see speculation continuing on someone who is an outstanding footballer.

"Clubs will be linked with him constantly, they have been since he was a young kid. We signed him on a long-term deal for a reason.

"He knows this is a brilliant place for him to play and he's getting better and better every day."

Kettlewell also confirmed there has been interest in striker Theo Bair, whose Canada side were eliminated from the Copa America last four by Argentina this week.

Bair, who scored 15 goals in an impressive campaign last term after a tough spell at St Johnstone, did not feature for his national side at the tournament.

However, his Motherwell boss still hopes it was a valuable experience for the 24-year-old and says he would "love to have him here this season and beyond".

"But that situation is out of my control," he adds. "We did a lot of work to get Theo to the club and did a lot of work while he's been here.

"We've shown him a lot of faith and a lot of trust, but he's repaid us as well. We'd love to have him here this season and beyond - but if people offer big numbers, we're a selling club."

Rangers are interested in Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller and had the 17-year-old watched in last weekend's friendly win at Livingston. (Football Scotland), external

Rangers are close to agreeing a deal that will see them relocate to Hampden for the start of the season due to delays with construction work at Ibrox, with planned pitch upgrades at the national stadium put on hold. (Daily Record), external

The initial agreement, to be ratified within days, will be for Rangers to play up to five games at Hampden. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers target Albion Rrahmani insists he will only ask to leave Rapid Bucharest for a top five European league following talks with manager Neil Lennon. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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Rangers drew 0-0 with Standard Liege as part of their training camp in the Netherlands, as Philippe Clement's side continue their preparations for the new season.

Alex Lowry hit the post late in the second half, but Rangers were unable to find the back of the net.

Clement used two very different XIs in each half, with Jack Butland the only Rangers player to play the 90 minutes.

The Ibrox side next face Ajax on Saturday, before returning to Glasgow next week.

Rangers fans, the bar for success at Ibrox is always incredibly high, but what would constitute a successful season this time around?

Have your say on what you want to see from Philippe Clement's side, external.

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It's 29 years to the day since Rangers broke their club record transfer fee to sign Paul Gascoigne from Lazio.

The maverick midfielder arrived on Glasgow's southside for more than £4m, and made an instant impact at Ibrox as Rangers won a league-and-cup double in the 1995-96 season.

The England international famously scored a hat-trick against Aberdeen in the penultimate game of the league season to clinch the title.

Gascoigne made over 100 appearances for Rangers, and won the league and Scottish League Cup in the 1996-97 season before joining Middlesbrough in 1998.

Catania have emerged as the latest club to have interest in striker Cyriel Dessers, who Rangers want £4.2m for. (Tuttomercatoweb, in Italian)

Sam Lammers is training with Rangers' B team after being left out of the trip to the Netherlands, where Philippe Clement's side take on Standard Liege then Ajax. (Scottish Sun)

Rangers recruitment chief Nils Koppen says the club will keep a firm eye on Scottish talent and aim to develop their standout talents for the biggest teams on the planet. (Daily Record)

Ex-Aberdeen and Rangers forward Sone Aluko has taken up the role of first-team coach at Ipswich just weeks after retiring as a player. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland senior reporter

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Kilmarnock are close to signing Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie on a permanent deal.

The 26-year-old has played just five times for the Ibrox side, spending time out on loan at Livingston, Queen of the South, Greenock Morton and Berwick Rangers over the past seven years.

A move to Rugby Park for the former Scotland Under-21 international would open the door to more game time.

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Life as an Old Firm player is one of intense pressure and scrutiny.

It's also a life of scoring more than 20 goals in a season and it not being enough to hush your doubters.

Despite scoring on 22 occasions during his debut campaign at Rangers, striker Cyriel Dessers was a much-maligned figure throughout last term and has been linked with a move away from Glasgow this summer.

The Nigeria forward is perhaps more known for the chances he's missed, rather than the ones he's scored, which is why ex-Ibrox striker Billy Dodds feels his former club have to upgrade on that position.

Rangers have been busy this summer, with two of their six new recruits playing in forward positions - striker Hamza Igamane and returning winger Oscar Cortes.

But Dodds is urging his former team to find someone who can "take a better percentage of their chances".

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "Nothing against Dessers, but if you miss too many when you play with Rangers, you've got to have a better return.

"I think you need somebody who's hitting 30. If you hit 30-plus at Rangers or Celtic, you have a great chance of winning the title.

"So [they] certainly [need] a striker that takes a better percentage of chances and that mentality again has got to change."

After a summer of recruiting his own players and implementing his style of play, Rangers Review journalist Derek Clark says next season will be the "fair time to make an assessment" on manager Philippe Clement.

Click here to listen to more on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

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What does Philippe Clement need to do to instil a title-winning mentality in Rangers?

Having replaced Michael Beale in October last season, the Belgian received plaudits for galvanising the Ibrox side, winning the League Cup and pushing them to the Premiership summit.

But the Govan club unravelled late in the campaign in an all-too-familiar fashion before also going on to lose the Scottish Cup final to rivals Celtic.

Despite that, Rangers Review journalist Derek Clark, speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, still feels Clement is the man to address the team's mindset.

"Clement was almost a victim of his own success," he said. "He got them to a point and then, for some reason, I think the players just reverted to type.

"I think they struggle with that pressure on them and it crumbled in the end. He's a very good motivator, good man-manager, you hear that from the players when they speak to the press that he gets that real squad togetherness going.

"So I think if he can bring in players that buy into his ideas, he can go on and have a successful season. I've got a lot of optimism and belief that he's the man to bring the league title back to Ibrox."

AZ Alkmaar have expressed an interest in signing Sam Lammers from Rangers following his loan spell with FC Utrecht. (Daily Record, external)

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

Rangers will hold further talks this week about hiring Hampden as fears grow they might be locked out of Ibrox until October at the earliest due to construction delays. (Daily Record), external

The agent of Ianis Hagi may pay to fund a move away from Rangers for the Romania international. (Herald, external - subscription)

Cyriel Dessers, Connor Goldson and captain James Tavernier, all linked with moves away from Rangers, have been spotted at Glasgow Airport departing for the Ibrox club's pre-season training camp in the Netherlands. (Scottish Sun), external

Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright also made the trip, having been touted for Rangers exits. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

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Rangers' new signings may have to "hit the ground running" if there is to be any prospect of a title race, says former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan.

The Ibrox side have welcomed five new bodies into the building so far this summer, as well as the addition of Mohamed Diomande on a permanent basis and the loan return for Oscar Cortes.

With Philippe Clement stressing on several occasions the need for a rebuild, Allan suggests recruitment could be the definitive factor in the destination of the title.

"Rangers have made some signings, ones that we don't really know what to expect from," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"That's the biggest problem with Rangers signings and Celtic signings - it's who hits the ground running.

"Kyogo came in and did that. Some guys do take time to bed into these clubs because there is that pressure. It's not easy.

"The ones who get the signings right build up momentum. It's going to be interesting with the Rangers/Celtic game so early in the season. All eyes will be on that.

"Rangers have a hard game first game of the season. Rangers are trying to get their business done early, Celtic are a little bit slower."

Rangers have accepted a number of offers for Cyriel Dessers as the 29-year-old Nigeria striker looks set to miss the Ibrox club's pre-season trip to the Netherlands on Monday to ensure nothing jeopardises a sale that could be worth between £4.5m and £6m. (Ibrox Noise), external

Rangers manager Philippe Clement sees the striker situation at Ibrox as a one in, one out position, meaning he will only sign another if one can be moved on, opening the door to exits for the likes of Danilo or, more likely, Cyriel Dessers. (Rangers Review via Sunday Mail), external

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has refused to comment about reports linking his club with 26-year-old Rangers winger Scott Wright. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Former Celtic striker Andy Walker believes Rangers could lose "an edge" to their home games should they be forced to play away from Ibrox.

Rangers said in June "there will be an impact on matches at Ibrox" following "a delay in a materials shipment from Asia". Philippe Clement's side have two home Scottish Premiership fixtures and at least one, possibly two home Champions qualifying games in August.

Walker was part of the Celtic team that played home games at nearby Hampden Park in season 1994-95 while Celtic Park was being renovated.

More recently, Celtic played two home European fixtures at Murrayfield in Edinburgh while Celtic Park was being used as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Hearts also played some home games at the rugby ground while Tynecastle was being worked on in 2017.

"I don’t think it was that difficult," Walker recalled of Celtic in 1994-95. "The problem we had was it was a poor Celtic team. We finished fourth. Our results against Rangers were actually quite good but we drew an extraordinary amount of games. At the time we were struggling to challenge. We were a poor side.

"We all knew in preparation for the season that we wouldn’t be playing at Celtic Park. This was in the plan. Celtic Park was going to be reconstructed."

Walker remembers the atmosphere at the national stadium being "not as good as Celtic Park".

"You know what it’s like when you’re playing in front of your home crowd, they can put a yard on to your stride," said Walker on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "We didn’t really get that at Hampden.

"Obviously, it doesn't help if you're not playing in those familiar surroundings. You'll just lose a bit of an edge to your game. It’s all about the team, it’s all about the quality and if you’re winning games, you’re happy to play anywhere.

"Celtic have got an advantage because they’re a better team. They’re a well oiled machine. I’m sure they will get a few signings in the bag before the season kicks off. As long as they get [manager Brendan Rodgers'] players in.

"They’ve got a financial advantage, they’ve got a financial muscle that Rangers are struggling to compete with and that’s the key to everything."

A move to Rangers from Norwich City could still be on for Kenny McLean despite reports, which have been dismissed by his agent, suggesting the 32-year-old Scotland midfielder's wage demands would be a problem. (Rangers Review), external

Couhaib Driouech will not be joining Rangers because the 22-year-old forward is reportedly having a medical with PSV Eindhoven as the Morocco Under-23 international moves on from Excelsior. (Football Scotland), external

Former Scotland Under-21 and Rangers youth Dapo Mebude is training with Livingston as the 22-year-old forward looks to revive his career in Scotland six months after a devastating car accident that left him fighting for his life while with Oostende. (The Herald), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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New signing Hamza Igamane will "bring a fresh presence" to Rangers' attacking options, says manager Phillipe Clement.

The 21-year-old joins the Ibrox club from Moroccan side FAR Rabat, where he has spent his entire career.

He is Rangers' seventh signing of the summer and while Clement is "delighted" at his arrival, he stressed it will take time for the youngster to settle in to "a big culture change".

“We believe he will be a great asset to our squad," the Rangers boss said. "He has a lot of talent and potential and he will bring a fresh presence to our attacking options.

“We know it will be a big change in culture and a new country for Hamza to adapt to, but as a club we will support him on and off the pitch to settle in here.”

Igamane, who has represented Morocco under-23s, says he "cannot wait" to get started in Scotland.

“I am really proud to join Rangers and I can’t wait to get started with my teammates," he told the club's website.

“It is a huge club, with a loyal fanbase and a lot of history. I am excited for my future here and looking forward to being a part of this club.”