Rangers

Mohamed Diomande (Rangers): A consistent performer in the middle of the park for Barry Ferguson's side. Offered so much offensively in a rollercoaster seven-goal victory away to Dundee.

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Rangers defender Ben Davies, currently on loan at Birmingham City, admits he will consider all his options in the summer (Daily Record), external.

Watch all the highlights as Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee 4-3 at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership.

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Cyriel Dessers is "proud" to be among some of Rangers' 21st century greats when he made his 100th competitive appearance for the club.

The 30-year-old scored a dramatic late winner as the Ibrox club came from behind to beat Dundee 4-3 at Dens Park.

The strike marked his 45th goal in 100 appearances for the club, which ranks behind only Kris Boyd (68), Alfredo Morelos (57) and Shota Arveladze (48) for goals in their first 100 Rangers appearances this century.

"I had difficult times at this club, especially when I came in, but when you're amongst among these names I think you're doing something right," Dessers said.

"I know the people in the building see how hard I work in the gym, on the pitch, in training, and this is the reward so when you when you tell me this, that's a very nice thing to hear from you. These are big names in the history of this club."

Dessers has split opinion among Rangers fans, but his goalscoring feats are undeniable during a turbulent spell for the club.

"I know it has been two hard years for everybody with a lot of ups and downs," the Nigeria international added. "We have had some unbelievable moments in Europe and winning a League Cup, but we didn't get the big prize last season, which we all fight for, so got some stick.

"I think that's normal when you don't win the league at Rangers, but on a personal level to hear that [record] fills me with pride.

"Obviously I want more, I think the fans want more, the gaffer wants more so I'm working hard for that every day."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views after that dramatic win at Dens Park on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

William: Difficult game to watch as a Rangers supporter, far too many errors, however what an exciting match! I feel Cyriel Dessers is unfairly criticised by Rangers fans as he gives 100% every game. Jack Butland has to go as he makes far too many errors for a Rangers goalie.

Murray: Have to give credit to Barry Ferguson for making the changes but this team is a mess. I thought maybe Barry should get the job but not so sure now.

Ronnie: Incredible game, incredible result. Absolutely no way Rangers win that game under Philippe Clement. Barry rang the changes and the players rolled their sleeves up. Our three goals in the second half were brilliant. Yes defensively we were shocking and Dessers remains an enigma but we won the game and that's the main thing. Give Barry the job, he has us fighting for the jersey once again.

Sue: Rangers could easily have lost the game but somehow won it in a thrilling match. Butland proves yet again why he was never good enough at the top tier of football with a basic goalkeeping mistake plus he continues to slice the ball into touch when kicking out from his box. Ridvan Yilmaz's performance was laughable it was that bad. Credit to Dessers for his resilience but not the top striker that Rangers need.

Peter: Here's a simple tactical change, play the first third of the game like you play last third. Get that urgency and effort on the go as soon as the first whistle blows. Stop continually going on the back foot through complacency early doors. Simple! You can do it lads.

Ian: We will continue to have these rollercoaster games as the defence is a shambles. We have players like James Tavernier, Jefte and Yilmaz who are soft and cannot defend, John Souttar is our only decent centre-half. These players will ensure Barry will not be manager.

Allan: Yes we eventually got the win but not much has changed as far as I can see. Once again we showed our vulnerabilities and only the likes of James Tavernier tried to take charge and make a game of it. We need a manager with a winning track record who will bring back pride in the club and have us playing all in from the first whistle.

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• Dundee have lost 23 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Dundee have conceded 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (17) and Hibernian (16) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Simon Murray has scored five goals in his last five games in the Premiership, scoring 13 league goals this season.

• Dundee have scored 28 first-half goals in 31 games, only Celtic (42) and Rangers (29) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Rangers have won 12 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (13) and Hibernian (13) have recovered more.

• Cyriel Dessers scored his 12th goal of the Premiership this season, more than any other Rangers player.

• The striker attempted 12 shots, the highest total for a single player a match in the Premiership this season.

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson to Sky Sports: "Really happy with the three points, but I saw so many old habits creeping in. I'm not going to allow that to happen.

"We've got a full week now [to prepare] and that's something we'll look at. At stages of the game I was baffled.

"They showed character, though, they never gave in. I just felt when we got the goal to go 3-2 that we could get three points.

"They were warned you have to be physical and match your opponent and we never did that in the first half. I made changes, but I shouldn't have to.

"We can't be happy with the performance. I need to get to the bottom of it and I will get to the bottom of it.

"We need to sort a few things going forward before Hibs come to Ibrox.

"I felt towards the end, the momentum was with us and thankfully we got the winning goal.

"I felt Cyriel [Dessers] was unlucky with his chances. He gives you everything he's got. There are things he can improve, but he's up for it.

"I'm certain they would have lost it [a couple of months ago]. The guys are receptive, they understand parts of the game were way off what we expect.

"We rolled our sleeves up and got the result in the end."

Were you at Dens Park or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Cyriel Dessers is bordering on being indescribable. He had 12 shots at Dundee, that is the highest total for a player in the Premiership this season.

All 12 of them were in the opposition box. Nine of them were on target. And that does not include his finish that was ruled out for offside.

The striker decided to save the one that counted for the 93rd minute. The best and the worst of the Nigerian was well and truly on show. Of course, he has to be more ruthless. But his character is admirable.

Overall, it goes without saying that Rangers, who looked vulnerable throughout, cannot continue going two goals behind. And it could have been worse, with Dundee's Scott Tiffoney putting a glorious chance wide and Oluwaseun Adewumi smashing a post.

But Ferguson has brought some resilience to this side, who have shown in recent games they are far better at responding to adversity.

Rangers "might have to settle" for a fee close to £10m if in-form midfielder Nico Raskin is sold this summer, reckons former Ibrox favourite Scott Arfield, who tells fans to "get realistic" about a potential price. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd is "unconvinced" a deal will be done to keep on-loan winger Vaclav Cerny at Ibrox, citing Abdallah Sima and Malik Tillman as examples of players who saw their values soar at the club, making them unaffordable. (Scottish Sun - subscription), external

Kris Boyd also says it is "incredible" that Rangers are obliged to pay Lens £3.5m for winger Oscar Cortes, urging his old club to back out of the deal if possible. (Scottish Sun - subscription), external

Manager Chris Davies has confirmed that Birmingham City will be looking to turn the loan deal for Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell into a permanent transfer at the end of the season. (Birmingham Live), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee's Ibrox-bound midfielder Lyall Cameron is an injury doubt, while Scott Fraser (groin), Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee) and Clark Robertson (hamstring) are still out. Billy Koumetio is back in contention after three months out.

Rangers are set to remain without Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) and have "one or two" unnamed injury doubts.

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Neil McCann is hoping he'll remain as the last Dundee manager to beat Rangers when the sides meet at Dens Park on Saturday.

McCann, now part of the coaching staff at Ibrox, steered the Dark Blues to a 2-1 victory over Rangers back in 2017 on an emotional and "bittersweet" night for the former winger.

"I hope that'll be the same stat by the end of the game on Saturday night," McCann told Sky Sports.

"It was a funny one because my father had taken really unwell that day and I didn't think I was going to get to the game but my dad gave me the old 'Get to your work' stuff.

"It was bittersweet because he got to see me manage against Rangers, who I spent a great number of years with and he knew how much I loved them, but he knew how much I wanted to beat them as Dundee manager.

"It was brilliant to do that and go back and see him. That was probably the last night I got to spend with him, which is the bittersweet part.

"I hope [the record] it does last longer and I can hopefully play a part in that."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim boss Barry Ferguson won't be drawn on the "secret" of Rangers' transformation since he took charge, but goalkeeper Jack Butland may have given the game away.

The 'hairdryer' treatment when necessary has got the team back playing with a passion and energy that had gone missing, with everyone at the club now clear about standards and "what's expected" of a Rangers player.

Recent wins over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce and Brendan Rodgers' Celtic have put smiles on faces at Ibrox and Butland gives great credit to the new interim management team of Ferguson and fellow former players Billy Dodds, Neil McCann and Allan McGregor.

"From the minute the guys came in, they were very conscious about getting results," the 32-year-old said.

"Very conscious about trying to make the environment and the energy right, which they have done.

"They've come in with big voices, big energy, big characters. When you've got that, it's very easy to follow that standard, to understand who they were, who they are as people, what they were as players.

"They've set a real standard for everybody, with no grey area. What's expected is what's expected and that's what's demanded all the time.

"It didn't take long, a few of the other lads might have been taken a little bit aback by some of the 'hairdryers' at times, but I guess it was what was needed and I think the boys have responded really well to it."

Such a good response that Rangers find themselves in a European quarter-final and licking their lips at the prospect of a third successive derby win over Celtic next month.

It all sent the players away into the international break, as Butland admits, with a real spring in their steps. And now they are determined to end the campaign with a flourish, starting with victory at Dundee on Saturday night.

"These games between now and the end of the season are an opportunity to give the fans something back and to give the group a way to finish the season on a high," added Butland.

"We need to go into the summer with some real momentum and positivity looking forward to next season.

"We've had lots of reasons and excuses and there are a lot of things to look back on at the end of the year as individuals, a group and a club to put right ahead of next year.

"But the best thing you can do with that is do it now, start trying to build something, start trying to nail down a culture and an expectation."

Rangers are tracking Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel forward Dor Turgeman, 21. (Sport1 via Scottish Sun, external)

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim manager Barry Ferguson has warned Rangers won't "rest easy" after beating Celtic and reaching the Europa League quarter-finals as he strives for further improvement.

Ferguson is proud that he's been able to add a steelier side to a Rangers team he felt had become far too "nice".

"I'm not going to sit here and kid anyone on - I thought we were far too nice. You can't be nice at Rangers at times," said Ferguson.

"When you step out on that park every single team wants to beat you and you need to stand up to that. Bar the Motherwell game at home, my group of players are starting to show the standards that are expected.

"There's still a bit of work to go, there's no doubt. We're not sitting here and thinking everything's perfect. It's far from that but they're certainly heading in the right direction.

"Change is difficult at times and they've shown me they're more than capable of being here and getting results. We need to continue that.

"We're not going to rest easy and think, 'It was a great 10 days, we got into the last eight in Europe'. That's a great achievement and then you go across to Celtic Park and everybody is expecting us to get beaten but I had every confidence in them.

"They now really understand what way we have to approach the rest of the games between now and the end of the season. "

The next hurdle to overcome is Saturday's trip to Dens Park, where Rangers have already dropped points this season.

"This is a challenge I'm looking forward to because, over the course of the season, games away from home haven't been up to the standard expected at Rangers," Ferguson added.

"We all know what Dundee did a couple of Sundays ago. They went across to Tannadice and were really good, they won the game convincingly, so I'm under no illusions as to what type of game it's going to be.

"Sometimes you need to dig deep to get results and that's maybe going to happen on Saturday."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson has been speaking to the media before his side's match against Dundee on Saturday evening.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• After Uefa punished Rangers with a suspended partial stadium closure, Ferguson says he echoes the strong message put out by the club, who condemned the banner and are in the process of banning the individuals responsible for life.

• He adds it would be a huge shame if the actions of a minority of supporters ended with the closure of the Copland Stand as the most important thing is that "fans stay inside the stadium".

• Ferguson revealed he had a "private chat" with forward Vaclav Cerny, who was filmed squirting water towards the main stand at Celtic Park after Rangers' late winner in the recent derby. That discussion will remain in-house but Ferguson wants his players and staff to celebrate goals and wins.

• With Cerny's loan period ending in the summer, and the club having an option to buy, Ferguson would "love to see him staying here" but declined to comment on whether he has any influence on plans for next season, or whether he would want the manager's job longer term.

• He reiterated his belief Rangers have been "too nice" this season but declined to reveal how he's managed to effect a change in mentality recently, simply saying: "That's my secret."

• He says the upturn in performance levels hasn't gone unnoticed within and outwith the club and the players "need to continue to turn up and produce performances. It's not all about nice, pretty football. They're starting to learn that. We were far too nice."

• The two key things for Ferguson? "Intensity and high standards." He accepts that "change is difficult" for players but feels they've done a great job responding to what he's asked them to do.

• On the prospect of facing Dundee in Saturday's late kick-off, Ferguson describes them as a good team, with a good manager, who were on a bad run until a "brilliant" performance and result at neighbours United in the derby.

• Ferguson accepts "games away from home haven't been to the standard expected" for Rangers this season and this weekend is a chance to start to put that right.

• On Nicolas Raskin, who has impressed for Rangers and made his Belgium debut last week, Ferguson says: "Nico has potential to play at the highest level - his best years are still in front of him. He has been top class for me but he needs to make sure he continues that and continues to produce performances."

• "One or two" players are doubtful for the trip to Dens.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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When we asked you on this page last week for your Rangers player of the season so far, Nicolas Raskin was a popular shout.

The midfielder is now impressing for his country too. Over the international break Raskin made his Belgium debut off the bench then his first start in the Nations League play-off double-header against Ukraine, with many Red Devils fans heaping praise on the 24-year-old.

Raskin's international recognition comes after his elevation to Rangers mainstay - and former striker Rory Loy believes interim boss Barry Ferguson has been key to the player's stellar form too.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, Loy said: "To think he wasn't an automatic pick earlier this season is quite something.

"I think you have to give Barry Ferguson credit. I know it's only been a few weeks and I'm not saying he's the reason Raskin's in the Belgium squad, but that whole idea of driving standards, of instilling that little bit of belief and that winning mentality [is key]".

Raskin has played every minute since Ferguson took charge, proving to be particularly influential in their Europa League win over Fenerbahce.

"You've seen a side of him, and I'm not saying he never showed it under Philippe Clement, but the consistency he's shown with it since Ferguson has come in has been quite something," added Loy.

"So I do think he deserves credit in terms of the mental side of the game and then we already know he's got ability. He's shown that in abundance over the last three months.

"He's worn the armband which I think as well has probably boosted his confidence. On top of that he gets in the Belgium squad and he's contributing."

• Dundee are winless in their past 16 meetings with Rangers across all competitions (D3 L13) since a 2-1 league victory in November 2017 under Neil McCann.

• After winning four successive visits to Dundee in all competitions from 2021 to 2023, Rangers have since drawn both of their past two away games against the Dark Blues (0-0 in April 2024, 1-1 in January 2025).

• Dundee have failed to win any of their past seven home league games (D3 L4), this after winning three in a row beforehand.

• Having only won three of their first 11 away league games of the season (D4 L4), Rangers have won each of their past four matches on the road in the Scottish Premiership.

• Rangers have conceded 2+ goals in four successive league games for the first time since December 2005. They haven't do so in five league matches in a row since April 1986 under Walter Smith – a run that included a 2-1 loss at Dundee.