Rangers

Rangers fans will get a chance to question the under-fire Ibrox board after the date for the annual shareholders meeting was confirmed for 5 December. (Daily Record), external

"Let's leave those coffee shop rumours," says Hajduk Split head coach Rino Gattuso when asked about the possibility of a return to Rangers to succeed Philippe Clement. (Telegram.hr via Scottish Sun, external)

Philippe Clement is right to manage the minutes of James Tavernier and his decision could well see the Rangers captain come back even stronger, says former Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Who starts for Rangers as they entertain Hearts on Sunday will be almost as intriguing as the game and result.

Long-time captain James Tavernier was dropped to the bench for Thursday's Europa League draw with Olympiakos - and then Neraysho Kasanwirjo was preferred as a replacement right-back for Dujon Sterling during the second half.

Philippe Clement put the decision down to managing the game time of the ageing Englishman - and needing more than one captain, with goalkeeper Jack Butland handed the armband.

However, it has led to speculation about Tavernier's future in the side given his legendary goal and assist contributions are no longer outweighing his oft mentioned defensive frailties amid a difficult start to the season for his side.

It is Vaclav Cerny who has picked up the baton as Rangers' most potent attacking force.

Clement was advised by his medical team against using the Czech Republic winger in so many consecutive games earlier in the season, but it would be hard to leave out someone who has scored four goals in his five home appearances in the Premiership, including three in his last two.

Especially so given Hearts have held Rangers to draws in their latest two meetings and arrive having earned praise for their performance despite losing 2-0 at home to Heidenheim in the Conference League.

They have also accumulated seven points in four league games under Neil Critchley - as many as the previous 12 before he was appointed head coach.

With or without Cerny and Tavernier, however, third-top Rangers will start strong favourites against the second-bottom side given they have won seven in a row at home domestically this season and are unbeaten in 16 meetings against Hearts, winning 12, both overall and at Ibrox.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Former Rangers striker Rory Loy says captain James Tavernier "should have moved on" from Ibrox in the summer and is becoming a "victim of his own success" now his goals and assists have dried up.

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We asked for your views on Rangers' 1-1 away draw against Olympiakos in the Europa League.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: Considering the recent good home record from Olympiakos I would consider this point gained for Rangers to be a good step in the right direction. There are clearly signs from some of these players who look as if they might just be coming together as a team. Also leaving James Tavernier on the bench and no stats quoted is another plus point from Philippe Clement.

Brian: This was more like a Rangers performance, just like turning the clock. A strong and disciplined, well-organised display. Every player helping each other out. A few changes in the team selection but a little reshuffle did make all the difference. Connor Barron was the star man for me, another five-star performer in this Rangers side.

Gerry: Again squandered good chances to win. Barron and Nicolas Raskin were the big winners in this performance, if they weren't at it we could easily have been overrun. If Clement is not careful he'll burn Barron out before the end of the season. Defensively we need to attack the ball more instead of waiting to see where it's going to land. Better all round though.

Ronnie: Great result Rangers but it could have been better if Cyriel Dessers, who despite his goal, could finish like a proper striker. Tavernier's days are also numbered as are Dujon Sterling's. Baron, Raskin and John Souttar were immense. Why this level of performance isn't produced domestically remains a problem. But let's just enjoy last night.

Alexander: Where has this spirited performance been hiding and why can't it be produced consistently? With a bit more composure from Dessers that game could have been won. It wasn't perfect but the team displayed a fighting spirit and determination rarely seen in recent times. This needs to be the minimum standard from here on in.

Brian: This result just might give this Rangers team the confidence they have been lacking. A few surprises in the team selection but l have to say it did work. It was a great team performance all round.

Image source, SNS

John Souttar's delight at Rangers' performance against Olympiakos was tinged with frustration that they headed home with one Europa League point instead of three.

Having spurned two big chances for the opener, Cyriel Dessers redeemed himself with a deserved equaliser in Greece after Ayoub El Kaabi had given the hosts a second-half lead.

The 1-1 draw leaves Philippe Clement's side with seven points at the halfway stage of the league phase - a tally Scotland defender Souttar believes should be higher.

"It's a really difficult place to go to and that's a top team we played," said Souttar.

"They obviously won the Conference League last season and I thought we stayed together as a team.

"We stuck to the gameplan, and it's about moments in these games, and as much as we are pleased there is a slight frustration because we thought we'd done enough for three points.

"We'd probably have taken one point going there, but it's slightly frustrating but we have to be pleased with that performance.

"I'd say this was a good performance from the whole team defensively.

"To a man, midfielders, attackers, we defend as a unit and to pick up points in this competition against top players from top teams you have to defend as a unit, and we did that on Thursday night."

Rangers' qualification prospects for the knockout stage are still alive, but they face a tough run with Nice and Manchester United away either side of a home game with Tottenham before finishing off with the visit of Union Saint-Gilloise to Glasgow.

"I think we just got to take every game as it comes and if we play like we did on Thursday night, being compact, working for each other, and doing the hard yards, and then taking our taking our moments, we will be fine," added Souttar.

"They're going to have moments, it's important everyone stays together, and that's what we did on Thursday night."

Image source, SNS

• Olympiakos have lost just one of their last eight home matches in major European competition (W6 D1). Since the start of last season, no side have avoided defeat in more home games than the Greeks (8).

• Rangers are unbeaten in their last five away matches in the Europa League (W2 D3), equalling their longest such run in the competition’s history (also five unbeaten between October 2020 – March 2021).

• Ayoub El Kaabi has scored 18 goals across 19 games for Olympiakos in all major European competition - more than any other player start of last season.

• Vaclav Cerny has four goal involvements in his first four Europa League appearances for Rangers (two goals, two assists) – the most of any Rangers player across their first four games in the competition.

• Rangers' Cyriel Dessers has been directly involved in 10 goals across 13 away appearances in major European competitions (8 goals, 2 assists). That is more than twice as many involvements as he has managed in home games in such competition (4 goals, 0 assists in 13 home games).

• Rangers (26y 80d) named their fourth youngest lineup in the Europa League. It was their youngest in the competition since a 4-3 defeat to Spartak Moscow in the 2018-19 edition (25y 269d).

Rangers earned a further £126,000 from Uefa for Thursday's Europa League draw with Olympiakos, taking the total earned from the competition so far to nearly £4.5m. (The Herald), external

The Scottish government is considering "extending the reach" of football banning orders in a bid to combat a concerning increase in the illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches by supporters. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Cyriel Dessers rescued a precious Europa League point for Rangers as they came from behind to hold Conference League holders Olympiakos in an intimidating atmosphere in Greece.

The Belgian striker, who missed two gilt-edged first-half chances, pounced on a defensive error, created space and fired into the corner from the edge of the area to reward an impressive away performance from Philippe Clement's side.

The draw leaves the Ibrox side on seven points with a trip to Nice to follow at the end of November, followed by meetings with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Have your say on the performance and result here., external

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Phillipe Clement: "A very strong performance as a team, sticking to the plan, being very disciplined and using the spaces.

"Disappointed we didn't win the game, that's the next step we need to take. But I saw a lot of positive things and I need to praise the whole team for that.

"I don't want players happy with a point. We went for the three points and that's the mentality I want to see against any opponent.

"Our midfield was massive today. Our defence was really solid. Jack [Butland] didn't have to make many saves.

And on James Tavernier's omission from the starting line-up, Rangers boss Philippe Clement adds: "That's never an easy decision, but I want more than one captain in the group.

"If you come at a certain age you can't play 60 games at the same level. We knew that before the season. It's about competition for spots.

"It's about one team, winning together. That's Rangers - one team, one family, going for one goal."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Piraeus

Image source, SNS

The omission of Tavernier was a big statement given the hostile environment. The captain's experience was presumably overlooked in favour of his form.

Clement said his side would have to raise their level but his players did to earn a fantastic result which could even have been better.

It was a very encouraging display against an - on paper - strong team in a really intimidating atmosphere.

That Rangers made Olympiakos look decidedly average was to their credit, particularly given their own recent up and down form.

Tactically the intent was clear - to hit quickly on the counter and be solid. It was extremely effective, though Dessers' lack of conviction and when handed clear cut chances looked likely to be costly.

His response was emphatic at the vital moment and builds a bit of momentum at a vital time.

Questions will be asked over Tavernier's omission, particularly given that when Sterling hobbled off, it was Neraysho Kasanwirjo who was introduced rather than the club captain.

The next step for Rangers is to consistently deliver wins. The confidence they should take from this should aid that.

Alongside Connor Barron, Nico Raskin was a warrior in the Rangers midfield.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Might a long-ball approach be Rangers' best hope of beating Olympiakos in Athens tonight?

John Walker, a football analyst and Rangers fan, believes so.

He set out his case on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, saying: "We've seen it in Malmo [Rangers' 2-0 away win], teams that have a bit more of identity, a bit more style, who want to play a bit more football against us, can come a little bit unstuck.

"Our kind of, I think the Olympiakos coach called it 'vertical play', I would call it long ball. But direct, long-ball play may actually benefit us in Europe.

"And especially if you're missing the likes of Tom Lawrence and I suspect [Mohamed] Diomande will play in that role. With Diomande, [Vaclav] Cerny and [Nedim] Bajrami you've got real pace driving up the pitch on counters.

"So I actually think Olympiakos, this could be a good break for Rangers. It could be somewhere I would expect us to go and get a positive result.

"It's something that Philippe Clement's style can come to fruition and teams can come unstuck against it a little bit."

Walker expects Dujon Sterling to get the nod ahead of captain James Tavernier in the Greek capital as Rangers seek to make it three wins from their opening four Europa League outings.

"I think the style of plays affected Tavernier a bit because it's more direct and he definitely doesn't have the pace to get up and down 90 yards," he added.

"There was a massive improvement when Sterling came on on Sunday at right-back. Pace, athleticism, willingness just to run off and give Cerny the line himself. I would be very surprised if Sterling doesn't start tonight."

Image source, SNS

Nicolas Raskin says Rangers know where they need to improve and has called for his team-mates to rise to the challenge of facing Olympiakos in Athens.

Rangers head into the Europa League game on the back of an inconsistent start to the domestic season, where they have reached the League Cup final but are nine points off the Premiership summit.

"We know we've not had the results we wanted in the last couple of weeks but we're working hard," said Belgian midfielder Raskin.

"I think the way we play, we're trying to do something good. It's about being better in both boxes in some games but we're really calm with that.

"We know what we have to do and we're working hard. So with this mentality, we're going to improve day by day."

Olympiakos, the reigning Conference League champions, are unbeaten at home since March and Raskin believes teamwork is key to Rangers' hopes.

"It's a game that you need to do as a team," he added. "You can't do it if the team is not all together.

"So I think we first need to show a good team performance and then out of that we can maybe have some good individuality."

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Philippe Clement says defender John Souttar's improved fitness and increased minutes on the pitch show the benefits of "changes made in staff, in the way of working, in a lot of things". (Record), external

Olympiakos coach Luis Mendilibar singles out Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny as a threat to the Greek side. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo says it's "been tough watching from the sidelines" as he recovers from an injury sustained in early September. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Jose Luis Mendilibar is urging his Olympiakos side to "pile the pressure up high" against Rangers on Thursday.

The Greek outfit, who are reigning Conference League champions, have six points from nine in the revamped Europa League so far, the same tally as the Ibrox club.

Though Mendilibar, who also led Sevilla to victory in the 2023 Europa League, said his side will not shift from their style.

"The truth is we have a specific idea of how to play, a specific style. This doesn't change depending on the opponent we have to face," he said through an interpreter.

"Tomorrow, we're going to have a different opponent, of course, and we will try to play the same way, add some pressure high on them, and we'll try to be close to their goal.

"But we know very well, Rangers is a team that plays a lot with through balls and vertical football, as we say, which means that most likely it will be a bit more difficult for us to go close to their goal and put some pressure on that.

"The important thing is that we pile that pressure up high and give them a hard time. We have seen the opponent, we have analysed them.

"It is true that we have something in common, which is that in the European competition they have played against two teams that we have also played, Malmo and Lyon.

"The results have been quite similar. We have won one and lost the other, both teams. We know that it will be a very even match.

"We have the same wins, we have the same points. Both teams are here to win the match."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Philippe Clement insists his squad will need a "really big performance" in the hostile environment they expect against Olympiakos but sees a "hunger" within the squad to deliver.

The Ibrox side reached the League Cup final on Sunday, coming from behind to defeat Motherwell, and are looking to build some momentum after a string of poor results.

"We need a really big performance of all the squad," he said. "All the players starting, all the players coming in. I feel also that they're very hungry to do that. It's now to confirm that in this game at a higher level against a better opponent to raise our level again.”

Olympiakos supporters are known for generating an intimidating environment but the Belgian insists his players can handle that pressure.

"They're used to playing at Ibrox that also helps," he added. "In Malmo it was also a really good atmosphere, so that's what you want on European nights. There's always some magic. It's always something special.

"Different playing styles, different players that you don't know really well and in that way for a player, it's always nice to play in stadiums like this, big stadiums with a lot of crowd. So, I think everybody will embrace that.”

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been talking with the media in Greece ahead of their Europa League match against Olympiacos.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Clement believes his players will "embrace" the hostile atmosphere at Olympiacos in Thursday's Europa League tie.

• With Nice, Tottenham and Manchester United to follow this tie, Clement stressed that they need a "really big performance" but they are focussed on chasing points in every game.

• Tom Lawrence is expected to be out for four to six weeks with an injury he sustained in the League Cup semi-final win over Motherwell.

• On the current injury situation, Clement was satisfied that it is "normal" and different to last season given the improvements made in the backroom team and approach.

• On Dujon Sterling, Clement confirmed he has struggled with a small injury for the past couple of months, they have found a solution and he will get more minutes if he plays better and shows he's ready.

Image source, SNS

• Olympiakos have won both of their home games against Scottish sides in all competitions, beating Dunfermline Athletic 3-0 in November 1968 and Celtic 2-0 in October 1974.

• Rangers have won just one of their eight meetings with Greek sides in all competitions (D4 L3), with this their first such game since a 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos in the 2007-08 Uefa Cup.

• Olympiakos have forced the most high turnovers in the Europa League this season (42) while they are one of only two teams to score two goals following a high turnover, along with Porto.

• When they've been leading in Europa League games this season, Rangers have had 34 shots, more than any other side when winning - it is 20 more than they've faced (14), also the best positive differential.

• Only Lyon's Rayan Cherki (seven) has created more chances following a ball carry in the Europa League this season than Rangers' Nedim Bajrami (six).