Rangers

Image source, SNS

Philippe Clement insists Rangers need to "find solutions" as he is handed another injury blow.

James Tavernier is set to be on the sidelines for "a few weeks" after picking up an injury at the end of their 2-2 draw away to Motherwell on Sunday.

Rangers welcome Celtic to Ibrox on Thursday as they attempt to close the 14 point gap Brendan Rodgers' side have put between themselves and their rivals at the top of the Premiership table.

But now the Rangers boss has to deal with the absence of his captain and right-back.

"Nobody will come back into the squad and we lose Tav also, who got an injury at the end of the game," he said.

"We took a scan, and there's clear damage there so he will be out for a few weeks.

"We always take risks, and you have to do that in this business, but no crazy risks, that players can be out for months.

"It's a blow and every injury is a blow, and we have had a few blows in that way the last weeks, the last months, first with Nana [Neraysho Kasanwirjo], then with John [Souttar], then with Leon Balogun, with Ridvan Yilmaz before in defence and with Tav now.

"But it's about finding solutions and looking for solutions and go and work out of that.

"In these last two games every time that they have had a shot on goal, it's almost a goal. Those are the things that sometimes happen in football but normally not two games in a row, but it's been the case, and we have been chasing games because of that.

"So we need to find solutions now."

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media as they prepare for the visit of Celtic on Thursday.

Here are the main points:

• Clement admits further injury woes as captain James Tavernier faces "a few weeks" on the sidelines while there is very little chance of centre-back Leon Balogun being fit for the match.

• The Rangers boss isn't focusing on the gap between his team and their rivals, insists they're always looking at the next game but believes the points gap is down to Celtic having scored more than in previous seasons.

• Clement insists there is no "psychological issue" in beating Celtic and referred back to the strong performance in the League Cup final.

• Admits January recruitment plans will be tailored towards injuries but stresses the winter window is never an easy time with clubs demanding too much money for players.

• The boss is worried about mistakes made in previous games against St Mirren and Motherwell but is confident his side can fix them and be better.

Rangers are looking to sell before they can add to the first-team squad in the new year, with striker Cyriel Dessers, left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, winger Rabi Matondo and midfielder Tom Lawrence facing potential exits in the January window. (TeamTalk), external

Fiorentina and Lazio have offered a pre-contract deal to Burnley captain Josh Brownhill, the 29-year-old who is also wanted by Celtic and Rangers if the midfielder becomes a free agent in the summer. (The Boot Room), external

Portsmouth have agreed a £200,000 fee with Rangers to sign 21-year-old left-back Robbie Fraser. (Transfer Centre 9), external

Former Rangers defender Russell Martin, who was recently sacked as Southampton manager, is the current bookmakers' favourite to succeed Philippe Clement should the under-pressure Belgian exit Ibrox. (The Scotsman), external

Former Manchester United communications chief Greg Mailer will be appointed Rangers' new chief communications director in April. (Four Lads Had A Dream podcast), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

• Rangers have enjoyed only one win in their last 14 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D4 L9), a 3-0 league victory in May 2023 under Michael Beale.

• After losing all four of their away games against Rangers in all competitions in 2021, Celtic have since lost just one of five away Old Firm derbies (W2 D2).

• Celtic have scored the opening goal in nine of the last 10 league Old Firm derbies, the only exception coming when Rangers did so in May 2023 (3-0 win). The side going 1-0 up lost none of those 10 fixtures (W7 D3), with the last to do so in the Scottish Premiership being Rangers in April 2022.

• Celtic have only lost their opening league game of a calendar year in one of the last 27 years (W20 D6), although that was away at Rangers in 2021 (1-0).

• Rangers have only lost their first league game of a calendar year in one of the last 13 years (W10 D2), a 1-2 defeat to Kilmarnock in 2019.

• Rangers' James Tavernier and Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi both have six goals in league Old Firm derbies. Since the Scottish Premiership began in 2013, only Odsonne Édouard (seven) has netted more times in this fixture in the division.

• Rangers boss Philippe Clement is yet to beat Celtic in six attempts in all competitions in charge of the club (D2 L4); the only manager to go as long or longer before winning an Old Firm derby (for either side) is William Wilton with the Gers from 1890 to 1893 (first eight).

• Celtic's Daizen Maeda has scored three goals in his last five appearances against Rangers in all competitions, this after only netting once in his first 12 Old Firm derby appearances prior.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Rangers' 2-2 draw against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only).

With the January transfer window fast approaching, where does your club need to strengthen?

Who do you want brought in and who - if anyone - is it time to ship out?

Tell us your dream transfer window, external

Image source, SNS

James Tavernier issues an apology to Rangers supporters for the team's performance in their previous two fixtures.

The Ibrox club followed a 2-1 defeat to St Mirren with a 2-2 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park and now trail league leaders Celtic - who they face on Thursday - by 14 points in the league.

Philippe Clement is yet to beat their Glasgow rivals during his time as Rangers boss, most recently losing the League Cup final on penalties.

"We were unlucky in the final, going all the way to extra time," Tavernier said.

"So we're just going to go into this game and we obviously need to address what we need to do before Thursday, and really look at ourselves as men, and as a team, to put things right.

"It's obviously an Old Firm, against our biggest rivals and a home game.

"So we have to go back to what we were doing better before these two games, and that's play better as a team, defend as a team and be clinical.

"I can only apologise to the supporters because in the past two games, we've wasted 90 minutes on two halves where performance level is not us, and that's unacceptable.

"So you can understand the boos. We set standards and we've got to maintain those standards and if we don't, then they fully have the right to let us know and we knew it wasn't good enough.

"And this is the thing, we just can't waste time on the pitch. We've got to be at it for 90 minutes."

We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-2 draw against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Stefon: Rangers once again can't defend or break down teams that sit back. Hamza Igamane was the only glimpse of quality in the team yet again. We need to forget about Celtic and the league, and just go back to basics and be able to string some passes together, score goals and get some results. The team is scared to lose and it shows with everything they are doing!

Steven: The only positives to take from another dreadful 45 minute display, is maybe now Philippe Clement knows the players he cannot trust and needs shot of. Tired of seeing abject defending and a lack of clinical finishing. Story of the season unfortunately. Looks like we need defenders and strikers in January - that is going to be very difficult.

Sally: The inconsistency in performance is mind-boggling. I would question the training regime given the amount of injuries. There is no hunger or desire in some of the players. Celtic will pull them apart with their movement. Nicolas Raskin seems to be the most consistent player.

Ronnie: Unforgiveable, five points shipped before we face Celtic. Forget the second half fight-back. Motherwell had a goal disallowed which should have stood. Clement inexplicably starts with Hamza Igamane and Vaclav Cerny on the bench, they come on and rescue a point. The league is over regardless of how we do on 2 January. Cyriel Dessers must be the most inept Ranger to wear the number nine jersey.

Brian: Well after another dismissal display against Motherwell what is the excuse going to be this time from the manager. We Rangers supporters have heard it all this past few months, he can't have any more excuses left, how long can this go on. What does he see in Dessers that we Rangers supporters can't see?

Chris: Clement, please pack your bags, enough is enough. I'm actually so disheartened as a fan, and quite frankly I'm at breaking point, this never ending cycle has to stop now, he has to go, no more chances. I would rather face Celtic with no manager than this imposter.

Image source, SNS

Former Rangers striker Ross McCormack thinks Philippe Clement is under "severe pressure" at Ibrox.

The Glasgow club came from behind to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park but are 14 points adrift of league leaders Celtic as they prepare for the Old Firm derby on Thursday 2 January.

"I think he's under severe pressure to be honest with you," McCormack told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I look at it and probably say that he's lucky about two things. It's the Old Firm game next, if it wasn't I think they could have made a change after the Motherwell game but I don't think you can do that before an Old Firm game - too much havoc would be caused.

"Also I think, and Rangers fans won't agree with it, but the difference in coming back from 2-0 down and getting 2-2, you can get a lot more positives out of that than you can if you got beat."

Image source, SNS

Trabzonspor reportedly make contact with Rangers over left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, 23, but Saint-Etienne boss Eirik Horneland distances himself from a move for Ibrox forward Cyriel Dessers, 30. (Record), external

Rangers captain James Tavernier admits supporters are right to boo the side amid their current struggles. (Sun), external

Manager Philippe Clement is not fearing for his future at Rangers after his side slipped 14 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic. (Sun), external

Former referee Bobby Madden suggests Motherwell captain Lennon Miller was fortunate not to be sent off for a tackle on Rangers winger Oscar Cortes during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Fir Park. (Record), external

Meanwhile, former Motherwell forward James McFadden believes Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was lucky to be awarded a foul after punching the ball into his own net. (Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

• Rangers have scored in each of their last 10 games in the Premiership, scoring 19 goals in that run.

• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Motherwell player.

• Rangers have attempted 35 crosses in this match, higher than their season average of 23.7 in the Premiership.

• Lennon Lee Miller has assisted six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no player has more.

Watch all the highlights from Motherwell's 2-2 draw with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only).

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Phillipe Clement: "We threw away the points like we did against St Mirren ourselves by conceding two really poor goals. Because of that, we were chasing the game.

"Like after St Mirren, it's two points that we've thrown away ourselves.

"In the first half we conceded two goals we can never concede it that way. We put ourselves backwards and we made it difficult for ourselves.

"If you need to score three or four goals every time to win games, then it's something that has to be much better. We can't do that every game.

"There's not a lot of time to work, or a lot of players - today we were missing three centre-backs.

"I wanted to see more from some players, but I'll address that myself.

"I took some risks the last couple of weeks, but the squad needs to prove there is enough depth.

"It needs to be defensively much, much better than in the last two games.

"The fans are frustrated and I understand that because I am frustrated, everyone is frustrated losing these points."

Substitute Hamza Igamane's second-half double rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Rangers at Motherwell in a frantic game at Fir Park.

Two goals down at half-time and staring back-to-back league defeats in the face before Thursday's Old Firm game at Ibrox, manager Phillipe Clement called on the Moroccan to make amends.

He did so clinically, first lashing in after the ball fell at his feet, before hauling second-place Rangers - who are now 14 points behind leaders Celtic - level with a sweet strike into the far corner.

Stuart Kettlewell - who was sent off after voicing his frustration at a string of decisions - side took the lead through Apostolos Stamatelopoulous' instinctive play, as the Australian pounced on a bouncing ball to poke beneath Jack Butland.

Tawanda Maswanshise's magnificent solo second had Motherwell dreaming of a first top-flight win against Rangers in Lanarkshire since Boxing Day 2002, but the cards didn't fall.

Give us your thoughts on the game here., external

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Clement made seven changes to the side who were beaten 2-1 by St Mirren on Boxing Day in search of a reaction. He didn't get it.

Instead, his Rangers side were lethargic, limp and lacking confidence in a first-half where they were miles off it.

Chances were created but then, inexplicably swiftly squandered. Efforts which left many in the away end shaking their heads.

The welcoming of Celtic in a matter of days was undoubtedly on the mind, but, by failing to deal with the task at hand, the visit of the league leaders is even more daunting.

Igamane has, once again, staked his claim to start that one. The substitute showed once more he knows his way to goal, unlike Cyriel Dessers and Danilo who missed multiple gilt-edged chances.

More questions for Clement, and more questions of the Belgian as the new year beckons.

Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru, linked with Rangers and Italian side Genoa, "can handle any championship", according to the 26-year-old's former manager Cristi Pustai. (Sportpesure via Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Ianis Hagi says Rangers must be more "dynamic" if they are to bounce back from their disappointing Boxing Day defeat by St Mirren.

The Ibrox side were beaten 2-1 in Paisley, a result which leaves them 12 points behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Hagi is not worrying about the gap to their Glasgow rivals, and is simply targeting an improved display against Motherwell on Sunday.

"We just need to be all-around more dynamic and understand that this time of the year is really important for this football club," Hagi said.

"Hopefully we can get the three points and move on.

"For us it's just one game at a time. We understand the position we're in in the league, we understand the points difference, but there is still plenty of football to be played.

"Hopefully games like the one against St Mirren will make us understand what it takes to win games at this time of the year and we move on.

"At the end of the day, these types of games turn out like that when you don't kill the game. There's always that last chance that the opposition has and this time we just weren't ready enough to defend that last ball."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell have doubts over striker Apostolos Stamatelopolous and an unnamed player through illness, while Liam Gordon is hoping to shake off an issue that led to the centre-half dropping to the bench at Celtic Park.

Captain Paul McGinn is back training, but Steve Seddon, Ross Callachan, Callum Slattery, Jack Vale and Zach Robinson remain out.

Rangers will assess Leon Balogun after the centre-half came off injured in the first half of the defeat by St Mirren.

John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo remain sidelined, while Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo continue their return to fitness.