Rangers

Ianis Hagi has become one of Rangers' most important players in recent weeks and scored his second and third goals of the season against Ross County.

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Philippe Clement "doesn't expect" Ridvan Yilmaz to leave Rangers, despite speculation linking the left-back with a return to Besiktas.

"He's injured," Clement told BBC Scotland before Sunday's meeting with Ross County. "We can only let players go that perform well if we can replace them by better players, so I don't expect that in the case of Ridvan."

In terms of incomings, Clement is adamant plenty of work is going on behind the scenes with the directors and recruitment staff.

"We had meetings about players who have the level to help the team and to help us go the next level," the Belgian says. "We will see now in the next couple of hours what's possible for the club."

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Genoa owner Dan Sucu is considering a late approach for 26-year-old Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi having been "interested in the player for some time" and would offer him the chance to be a "cornerstone" at the Serie A club. (La Gazzetta Dello Sport via Ibrox News), external

Rangers could still pursue a deal to sign Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland as the 29-year-old Scotland international remains on the list of potential targets at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Rangers are eyeing a loan move for 19-year-old Chelsea centre-half Aaron Anselmino. (Scottish Sun), external

Red Bull Salzburg sports director Rouven Schroder has left the door open for 19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark to leave the club amid reported interest from Rangers. (Daily Record), external

Rangers forward Zak Lovelace is poised to rejoin Millwall, the 19-year-old having become the second youngest player to feature for their first team before he moved to Ibrox in 2022. (NewsatDen), external

John Gilligan has stepped down from the Rangers board for a second time following the appointment of Fraser Thornton as chairman and Patrick Stewart as chief executive. (The Herald), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Rangers could field Clinton Nsiala and Ianis Hagi after being ineligible for Europe but Leon King went off on Thursday with a head knock.

Danilo, Leon Balogun, Connor Barron, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo have been sidelined in recent games.

Ross County welcome back Nohan Kenneh and Kacper Lopata. Jack Grieves (head), Michee Efete, Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh) and Will Nightingale (all knee) all remain out.

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Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin has hailed "top player" James Tavernier and the "example" the captain sets at Ibrox.

As a result of injuries, Tavernier was moved from right-back to centre-back for the 2-1 win over Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise but still managed to set up Raskin for the opening goal.

Raskin insists the captain is a hugely important player for Philippe Clement's side as they look forward to Sunday's Premiership match against Ross County.

"He's a leader, an example," the 23-year-old said.

"If you see him every day, working, setting the standards high, it's amazing to be like this.

"We all learn a lot from James, and he was amazing [on Thursday]. One assist and some great blocks, he is a top player to be fair.

"We as a team never had doubts because we see what he shows us and what he does on the training ground.

"You can't disappear in one game, or in one bad spell. Tav is a real leader and we all learn a lot from him so it's amazing to have him here and help us grow."

Following their midweek victory, which secured their spot in the top eight of the Europa League, Raskin says confidence is high but the squad are not getting carried away.

"It was a good boost for the team because it's a very good achievement and we are all proud of that," he added.

"But it's going to be a very different game on Sunday. We need to look at it and try to take the same intensity and go for the win.

"It's going to be super important to put on another good performance to carry on."

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Rangers full-back Adam Devine has joined Scottish Championship side Queen's Park on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has made 11 first-team appearances for the Ibrox club since making his debut versus Dundee United in May 2022.

He previously spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Motherwell, accumulating 10 league appearances while with the Steelmen.

A six-time Scotland Under-21 international, Devine is straight into the Queen's Park starting XI, starting against Airdrieonians just hours after signing for the Spiders.

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• Rangers have won their past 10 home league games against Ross County by an aggregate score of 34-6, since a 1-1 draw in February 2017 under Mark Warburton.

• In all competitions, Ross County have beaten Rangers just once in 27 attempts (D4 L22), a 3-2 league win in April 2024.

• Rangers have won their past three league games, all by a margin of 2+ goals. They last won more in a row by at least two goals in April 2023 (5 under Michael Beale).

• After a run of 25 away league outings without a win, Ross County have now won their past three on the road – as many as their previous 39 away league fixtures combined beforehand (W3 D11 L25).

• Cyriel Dessers has scored in both of Rangers' last two Scottish Premiership games and is looking to score in three successive appearances in the competition for the first time.

Rangers rejected Besiktas' bid to re-sign Ridvan Yilmaz on loan with an option to buy and the clubs are now negotiating over a transfer fee, with the 23-year-old left-back's parent club demanding £4.2m and the Turkish outfit offering £2.5m for the 23-year-old who switched between them for £3.3m in 2022. (Sabah), external

Wolfsburg have no interest in recalling winger Vaclav Cerny from his loan to Rangers but have slapped a £6.75m price tag on the 27-year-old. (The National), external

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers would be Cagliari's preferred replacement should Gianluca Lapadula complete his loan move to Spezia. (Rainews), external

Rangers and Aberdeen have both held talks with 22-year-old Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron over a pre-contract agreement to move from Dens Park this summer. (Football Insider), external

The £1m option to buy included in 23-year-old Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo's loan move to Hannover 96 depends on the Bundesliga 2 club winning promotion to Germany's top flight. (BILD via The Herald), external

Rangers manager Philippe Clement says that further squad additions are necessary before the end of the transfer window on Monday and does not expect many more departures. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Scotland striker Lee Miller believes Cyriel Dessers uses criticism from fans as "motivation".

Despite being a polarising figure among the Ibrox support, Nigeria striker Dessers continued his impressive recent form in Thursday night's Europa League win over Union St-Gilloise - which sent Rangers through to the last 16 - and has netted 18 goals in 35 appearances this season.

"I like him, I know he misses chances and the Rangers fans get on his back but he scores some worldie goals, some really good goals," said Miller on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I thought his hold-up play was really good last night. It's obviously come under criticism but his all-round game can be very good, he's just clumsy at times.

"He's a sweet player, he likes to meg people, he likes to get involved and he's very tidy. Do you know what I like about him? He's always just playing with a smile on his face.

"He gets absolute pelters. He gets booed on to the pitch, but he'll maybe turn that around and use it as a motivation.

"He comes across really well. Generally quite laidback, a likeable person, and some of the goals he has scored actually incredible. The goal against Man United and then the one against Dundee United are incredible finishes."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Winger Vaclav Cerny insists manager Philippe Clement is handling the pressure after guiding Rangers directly through to the Europa League last 16.

The Ibrox side will face one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Twente or Fenerbahce in March, skipping the play-off round, after finishing eighth in the table thanks to the 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise and other results falling in their favour.

Clement's future has come under intense scrutiny this season, but Czech international Cerny said: "I think he's dealing with pressure every three days.

"He's dealing with it very good, as we are, because we play for a big club. That is how it should be.

"That's normal and I like the way that we stick together. We stick together no matter what and we can put in big performances."

Cerny scored what proved to be the winner, his 13th goal of the season, before the Belgian side staged a late, unsuccessful fightback that had Ibrox on edge.

Direct entry to the last 16 is undoubtedly a significant achievement, particularly given four of Rangers' opponents finished in the top seven.

"It's a big one," Cerny added. "That's what we wanted before it all started and we had some tough opponents.

"I think it's a very, very good achievement to go into the top eight.

"Obviously the dream of ours is to go as far as possible. We need to wait and focus for the very first opponent.

"I don't think we have had a bad game in Europe this season. We were just well prepared for every single game."

We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-1 win against Union SG that earned a last-16 spot in the Europa League.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: A good, hard-fought win, especially against a team like them who are well organised. It's very plain now how much of a defence we really need, I thought the midfield were a bit exposed at times, that's why we need Ianis Hagi on board so he can play in these games. Let's keep Cyriel Dessers as his workrate was good, I'd like someone beside him to pair up.

Lennie: Absolutely fantastic result, ravaged with defensive injuries, where do these performances come from? Definitely need to sign a right-back and another midfielder. Dessers and Hamza Igamane are forming a great partnership, Dessers was immense.

Allan: A gritty and determined performance with a makeshift defence took Rangers into the last 16. Players who have been berated previously stood up and made it happen. James Tavernier, Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande were immense, but the man who stood out for me was Dessers. He was everywhere, working very hard and showing plenty of skill. Credit to Philippe Clement.

Brian: Fortunate to get the win in the end, the defence is so flaky, bordering on panic. Jack Butland always has a mistake in him while Robin Propper is so weak. Great to see John Souttar back. Tavernier played a real captain's role and was easily man of the day. Dessers was excellent, showing real commitment.

Tom: Igamane playing in the wrong position was poor, Nedim Bajrami was invisible, Jefte is a terrible defender and Propper, Tavernier and Butland were weak but we won that game! It's hard to believe watching the panic but we did. Raskin and Diomande were outstanding and Dessers is beginning to believe in himself. With our better defenders we might win more rounds.

Ronnie: Fantastic effort from Rangers. A top-eight finish against all the odds and even the fans' expectations. No weaknesses other than our continuing inability to cope with balls into the box. I can't believe I'm saying this but Dessers was outstanding. His form in recent weeks has been phenomenal. Let's keep this going. Who knows, it could be another Seville season.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Midfielder Ross McCausland believes Rangers can go all the way in the Europa League after their 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise earned a top-eight finish in the table.

That secured safe passage to the last 16 where they will face one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Twente or Fenerbahce in March depending who progresses from their play-off fixtures.

Goals from Nicolas Raskin and Vaclav Cerny proved decisive despite late scares in a thrilling finale at Ibrox.

"We're absolutely delighted," McCausland said. "When the draw first came out, people probably doubted us getting this situation so, now we're in this situation today and we're chuffed to pieces."

Asked if he thought Rangers - who were runners-up in 2022 - were capable of going all the way in the competition he responded, "Yes, definitely, 100%."

It had seemed an unlikely outcome to finish in the top eight with Rangers relying on other results even if they won. As it turned out, they joined four of the teams they faced in the league phase in the top eight.

"That says it all," added the Northern Ireland international. "That shows the quality we have within our squad and how good we are in Europe. Now we've put ourselves in a very good situation.

"We've had a lot of injuries and that goes to show that it doesn't knock us down and we have the squad depth to be able to counter that. Everyone's put their hard work in in training each day and it shows.

"We've played a lot of big teams. You go back to the Old Trafford game, obviously, unlucky not to gain a point. You go back to the Spurs game, how incredible the boys were, and just even any of the other games.

"How we've handled them in different scenarios. Teams play a lot of very different ways, come from different countries, different style of football. So, for us to go and adapt and show what we can do is amazing."

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• Rangers have progressed from the Europa League group stage for the fifth consecutive time.

• Rangers have lost just two of their last 14 Europa League games on home soil, winning nine and drawing three.

• Nicolas Raskin became the second Belgian player to score a major European goal for Rangers, after Thomas Buffel in the 2006-07 Uefa Cup against Molde.

• James Tavernier has assisted in each of his last three Europa League appearances - as many as he had in his previous 35 games. It was his eighth assist in the competition for Rangers; the joint most along with Borna Barisic.

• Vaclav Cerny has been directly involved in six goals in his last six Europa League appearances for Rangers, scoring four and assisting two.

• Tavernier made his 59th major European appearance, with only Allan McGregor (78), John Greig (62) and Barry Ferguson (60) making more for Rangers.

Rangers, Derby County, Hull City and Swansea City are interested in taking Bobby Clark on loan, five months after the 19-year-old midfielder joined Red Bull Salzburg from Liverpool for £6m. (Daveockop), external

Amid speculation linking him with a move away from Rangers after impressing early in his Ibrox career, 22-year-old striker Hamza Igamane says he is happy with the Scottish Premiership club and thanked his agents for choosing a league that suits him well. (Onze Mondial via Daily Record), external

Everton signing Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is not happening in this transfer window. (David Anderson on X), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty is unaware of any likely January outgoings despite reported interest from Rangers in 22-year-old midfielder Lyall Cameron. (The Courier), external

Dunfermline Athletic are interested in taking 19-year-old Rangers winger Archie Stevens on loan. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson is set to return to the Ibrox club's academy in a coaching role. (Rangers Review), external

Rangers have earned a grand total of £8.9m from their Europa League campaign so far. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Rangers captain James Tavernier tells TNT Sports: "We conceded the header which we know as a team we should keep our line. But I'm delighted we held on.

"It was only at the end of the game Vaclav [Cerny] told us we sneaked into the top eight.

"You obviously want to compete against the best and European football is getting harder and harder each year. We've done well and I think we deserved it.

"We'll definitely take the weeks off - we can probably train now rather than play then rest and recover."

Rangers upset the odds to earn an impressive top-eight finish in the Europa League after Vaclav Cerny's second-half strike proved decisive against Union Saint-Gilloise.

A direct route to the last 16 seemed very unlikely until deep into the second half at Ibrox given the necessity for results elsewhere to go the Scottish Premiership side's way, but those all fell perfectly into place.

Philippe Clement's team will now face one of Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Twente or Fenerbahce in March depending who progresses from their play-off fixtures.

Rangers - who started the night in 13th place having played four of the eventual top seven - had a straightforward assignment. Win and see how the cards fell.

They did that, despite a number of scares, to earn an incredible outcome.

Have your say on the game and outcome here., external

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "It's a massive achievement for the whole squad. "The whole squad was necessary.

"Leon King couldn't see anymore, Ross McCausland had to come on at full-back.

"We had to be very creative the last few months but we've done it brilliantly.

"Massive clubs with massive budgets have finished behind us, and around us, the achievement is only bigger by beating four of the seven top teams.

"It's not about me, I'm not in this story. You can write whatever you want, I know what we're doing with the club.

"We explained at the beginning of the season what this club needed, not my choice, the board's choice. The board asked me if I wanted to step into this very, very challenging project and I did and I do and I will be on the barricades for this club.

"It's good people start to see more and more, things a few months ago people maybe didn't believe.

"Qualification in this Europa League is one of these things. The club is on the right way. Is it fast enough to win everything? That's our ambition.

"We need to create this culture and more and more I see it. They know what it means to play for this club."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Ibrox

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This has been an incredibly impressive Europa League campaign. A top-eight finish is a fantastic outcome given how foreboding the draw looked and the fans were loving it come full-time.

This was a tough group, no doubt about it.

Progression was secured before kick-off but such were the uncertainties involved, a top-eight finish really seemed beyond them at the start of the night.

That still seemed the case until late on when Nice levelled against Bodo/Glimt and suddenly everything somehow just fell into place.

This was a Union Saint-Gilloise side that seemed capable and intent on getting forward whenever possible. Rangers stood up to that, having rode their luck several times but they were clinical at key moments and that was decisive.

It is something of a conundrum this season that, at this level, Rangers can seem to raise their game yet have struggled away from home in particular domestically.

But no-one at Ibrox was bothered about any of that come the final whistle.

Dessers deserves special mention. He seems to have really stepped up of late and played a key role in what was a memorable night, and achievement.

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Philippe Clement has not had his injury problems to seek, and has at times recently been forced to call upon younger players in the Rangers ranks.

While arguably not ideal, former Ibrox midfielder Kevin Thomson has been delighted with the opportunities granted to emerging talents.

Defender Clinton Nsiala, 21, forward Zak Lovelace, 19, and 18-year-old midfielder Findlay Curtis are among those to have featured in recent games.

Curtis and Bailey Rice came off the bench in last week's 2-1 defeat at Man United and could be set for more Europa League game-time in tonight's visit of Union Saint-Gilloise.

"The manager's hand's been forced at times to potentially allow some of the young ones to get an opportunity," Thomson said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But I'm sitting here as an ex-player thinking that's brilliant. Sometimes you need that opportunity.

"It may be through default, it may be through injury, it may be through different circumstances, but when it gives that opportunity, I think that's good for the long-term future of the club.

"When you're seeing people like Kieran Dowell moving out on loan, Rabbi Matando's obviously been linked with going away too, it creates space for the younger ones and that can only be a good thing."

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