Rangers

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for their final league game of the season on Saturday at Hearts.

Here are the key points:

• The confirmation of losing out on the league title on Wednesday left him “disappointed” because he wants to win everything.

• Says Rangers must leave that disappointment behind and take other good conclusions from the campaign into next season.

• The Belgian has had good talks with the board in terms of recruitment and positions needed. He says he and the board are aligned on almost everything, but still need to execute those plans.

• Talks about the “foundation of the house” (squad) not currently being good enough to play three times a week at high intensity. Given they are already looking at nine games in August, they need to be ready for that.

• Abdallah Sima and Ryan Jack are in a position to play “some minutes” against Hearts. Leon Balogun is also close to a return.

• ⁠”Really happy” with what Sima has shown and the Brighton loanee is “very happy in this building” but there is a club that owns him so “we need to find agreement” and it depends on what their “demands are and what we can pay”.

• ⁠Believes the Ibrox club is at the end of a cycle in some ways and he wants them “to end this cycle with a really big moment" next week when they face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

• Hearts have lost 12 of their last 13 meetings with Rangers in all competitions (D1), scoring just five goals in this run.

• Rangers have already beaten Hearts five times in all competitions this season; on just three previous occasions have the Ibrox side beaten a single club six times in a campaign – Dundee in 1981-82, Dunfermline Athletic in 2002-03, and Kilmarnock in 2010-11.

• Hearts haven’t won on the final matchday of a Scottish top-flight season since 2003-04 v Motherwell (3-2); Hearts are winless in 17 final-day games in the top tier since (D5 L12 – including curtailed 2019-20 season).

• Rangers have won their last league match in each of their last four campaigns, including the curtailed 2019-20 season. However, they have won just one of the five previous times their final match of a league season was away to Hearts (D3 L1), a 3-1 victory in 2021-22.

• With 17 goals and 10 assists in 2023-24, James Tavernier is only the second player to reach 10+ goals and 10+ assists in a Scottish Premiership season for Rangers since their promotion in 2016, with the other instance also being Tavernier in 2018-19 (14 goals, 14 assists).

• Lawrence Shankland scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions in the midweek Premiership draw at St Mirren; he is the first Hearts player to reach the 30-goal mark in a season since John Robertson in 1998.

Rangers go to Hearts in their final Premiership fixture with nothing on the line.

Is this a chance for Phillipe Clement to experiment with the Scottish Cup final in mind?

Pick the XI you think he should select here.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been discussing his career with BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague in an exclusive hour-long interview.

Here’s what the Spaniard had to say on his move to Rangers in 2002 and his "survive or die" experience in Scotland...

"[When I was at PSG] we played in the Champions League against Rangers. We had to go to Glasgow. I went there and said: 'Wow, what is this?'. I'd never seen an atmosphere like it, looking at how passionate the people were.

"[Rangers] came in for me straight after that game and it was an opportunity. My only condition was I wanted to reunite my family. We had been split up for a while. It was time we got together, so let’s embrace it and go to Glasgow, a different experience for all of us.

"It was really challenging, completely different football, you have to survive or die. An amazing club, fascinating environment, crazy team. I lived games that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

"It was a completely different world. Alex McLeish was the manager. He had completely different ideas, completely different methods. He talked about the game in a different way.

"I had to adapt, going to stadiums where the style is really different, the surface, the weather. But it was really, really healthy for me, it made me a better player."

Click here to read more on Arteta’s childhood, career and family.

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In defence, midfield or attack, Dujon Sterling has been a constant bright spark in Rangers’ rollercoaster season.

“I think if he was put in goal, he would do well there as well,” says centre-back Leon King, who is inspired by the versatility of his Ibrox team-mate.

King, who made his first start of the season in Tuesday’s 5-2 win over Dundee, believes Sterling “has been amazing all season”.

Now, the Rangers academy product feels he can emulate the adaptability of the former Chelsea man and play a role in the season finale.

“I don't really think in modern-day football you are stuck to one position as such," King said.

"I think you need to be able to play in more than one position, it gives you a better chance as well. If the manager wants me to play anywhere else I will play there.”

With Rangers suffering from a injury crisis, particularly at centre-back, 20-year-old King is ready to reignite his career and play a part in this month’s Scottish Cup final against rivals Celtic.

"It is just about biding my time and when I get the chance to take it with both hands,” he added.

"I have been training and playing in different positions which is only going to benefit myself.

"If the manager calls upon me for the final I will be ready."

Rangers defender Leon King will "one hundred per cent" be ready to play in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic if the Ibrox club's defensive issues do not ease. (Record), external

King is eager to stay at Rangers long-term. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers' scare against Dundee underlined the need for "big changes" at Ibrox this summer, says the Sunday Mail's chief sports writer Scott McDermott.

Philippe Clement cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interviews, bemoaning his side's first-half showing that saw them go 2-0 down at home to Dundee before going on to respond with five goals.

With their slim title hopes potentially being put to bed if Celtic avoid defeat at Rugby Park on Wednesday night, McDermott believes the Belgian will have learned a lot about his players in recent weeks.

"No wonder he wasn't happy, certainly with the first-half performance," he told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Unfortunately for Rangers that's been a real negative characteristic of their displays in the last few months, that slow start.

"After the Old Firm game on Saturday, it was the first thing Clement said in his post-match press conference, that he was angry at the lack of aggression shown by his team at the start of the game.

"I just find that astonishing, going into an Old Firm derby with a title on the line. That is a big worry for the manager.

"The last two Old Firm games against Celtic, they found themselves two down early and ultimately that's cost them.

"I'm not surprised he's angry, I think we all accept there'll be big changes at Rangers in the summer. I think there has to be.

"I think Clement in the last few weeks will have found out a lot about certain players in that squad. There's definitely guys who you saw last night won't be there next season"

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee 5-2 in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what you had to say:

Steven: When are we going to learn to stop crosses? The team looked disjointed and the midfield went missing again in the first half. The manager shouldn’t have to get into the team at half-time. I'm grateful for the reaction and happy with the score-line but lots of changes needed in the summer. Too many no-shows too often this season for me. Onwards and upwards.

Dougie: Someone should tell Rangers there is a first half! They needed to come out all guns blazing for the fans. Instead we witness yet another performance where I wished I'd started my tax returns. Why don't we get the second-half performance for the full 90 minutes? So frustrating.

Elaine: A game of two halves. Absolutely appalling in the first half. Just not good enough. Clearly had a rocket at half-time. Really pleased to see some youngsters getting a chance; should have played them weeks ago. End of season can’t come quick enough for some of these imposters.

Anon: Rather than laud his goals and assists every week, I wish someone would print out the amount of goals James Tavernier costs the side. It would even things out and people would perhaps realise that as a defender he is a wasted shirt. I can't remember the last time we lost a game and he wasn't involved in giving the goals away. Time to go.

Anon: What a comeback - that's why I love Rangers. Give the kids more chances too.

James: It's first-half performances like that that lose you the league. The defending was shambolic, or should I say lack of defending. We lost the league in the games against Ross County, Dundee and Motherwell.

Sally: Philippe Clement should retain Cyriel Dessers. With creative players around him he has the potential to be a great goal-scorer. Fabio Silva should leave as he is not a team player and often makes the wrong choices in front of goal.

Anon: A dreadful first half, much better in the second half. All too little, too late though. We blew the title at Ross county and Dundee. A big rebuild and clear-out is required. The manager must be backed for a long-term project.

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Rangers defender Robbie Fraser wants to kick on after making a long-awaited debut for the club.

The 21-year-old came on for Ridvan Yilmaz during the second half of Rangers' 5-2 win over Dundee on Tuesday, having joined the academy 14 years ago.

Fraser is determined to keep impressing manager Philippe Clement as he searches for more first-team minutes.

“That was a huge moment for me," he told RangersTV. "Fourteen years at the club so I have been through it all.

“It is not only a huge moment for me but for my family, my friends and the people that are close to me.

“It is something you dream of as a young boy, coming on at Ibrox and to get three points in front of the fans, it doesn’t get much better.

“The gaffer just said that he believed in me, he liked what he saw, and he just said go and be positive and do what I’ve been doing.

“I felt I did that but, of course, I still look at my game and there’s moments to improve. I’ll keep chipping away like I have always done.

“I have been very patient, and it is something that I pride myself on, being patient, chipping away, keeping working hard and hopefully the rewards will come and it was a huge moment for me.”

Watch highlights as Rangers come from behind to beat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Rangers fans believe Kemar Roofe was saying a goodbye to them as he did a lap of honour on his own around the stadium after the final home game against Dundee. (Scottish Sun)

If Bayer Leverkusen win the Europa League the knock-on off effect would promote Benfica into the Champions League group stage next season and mean Rangers were likely to be seeded throughout qualification. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement told BBC Sportsound: "After the disappointment of losing in the Old Firm, you need to bounce back fast. In the first half, we were not good enough without the ball. Second half, we were good both in and out [of possession].

"Then you see how good we can be, even though we were missing a lot of players. There's a resilience in this squad. We've been working on that a lot in the last couple of months.

"I was angry because they didn't reward themselves [in the first half]. I was very angry. We had good intentions with the ball and not enough without. We need to stand up and show more.

"We played good offensive, aggressive football in the second half. It's big lessons to take out of that and continue working on that in the next 10 days. We need to be more consistent next season, that aggression has to be there all the time, not just when I'm angry.

"The positive is that we've been training with a lot of players from the academy. Ross McCausland only trained with the first team five times last season. Robbie [Fraser], Cole [McKinnon], Johnly [Yfeko], they've trained for months with us now so they know what to do and it's more comfortable for them to come into the game. That was crucial today.

"If I look at where the club was six months ago, we are a lot further on now and we'll work hard to get the most out of these last two games."

Rangers recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Dundee to avoid an Ibrox embarrassment, while also prolonging Celtic’s almost inevitable wait to be crowned Premiership champions.

The visitors scored two goals in two first-half minutes through defenders Jordan McGhee and Antonio Portales to threaten a first win at Ibrox since 2001.

However, Ross McCausland’s toe-poke just before half-time eased the pressure on the hosts before Cyriel Dessers nodded Rangers level six minutes after the restart.

It was Todd Cantwell, who infuriated many in the first half, who whipped Rangers into the lead when his cross flew in, and Scott Wright secured all three points with a late double.

Philippe Clement’s side move three points behind Celtic, who visit Kilmarnock on Wednesday needing one point to seal the title.

Dundee, meanwhile, will finish sixth as their quest for European football was struck a fatal blow.

Were you at Ibrox this evening? What did you think at half-time, and had your opinion changed by full-time? Who impressed you, and who didn't?

Let us know your thoughts.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

The cracks have started to show at Ibrox in recent weeks, and Dundee threatened to prise them wide open in the first 45 minutes.

However, Rangers returned to their best in the second half. Where they had looked winded and hungover in the first half, they responded with energy and enthusiasm in the second.

What was said at half-time? We might never know, but Philippe Clement certainly got it right.

Todd Cantwell was superb after the break, and the rest of the attack started to click as a result. When this team have confidence, they play with real brio but it was another slow start that threatened to undo them.

Of course, this was a team without 11 starting players. Questions must be asked about that injury list, with Clement the lead investigator.

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Todd Cantwell. His performance summed up Rangers' performance the night. Infuriating in the first half, infuriatingly good in the second.

He's a game-winning talent when he switches it on, and he certainly did that after the break.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Davies, King, Yilmaz, Raskin, Diomande, Cantwell, McCausland, Silva, Dessers.

Substitutes: McCrorie, Dowell, Wright, Roofe, Barisic, Yfeko, Fraser, Lowry, McKinnon.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Portales, Astley, Dodgson, Boateng, Sylla, Tiffoney, Cameron, McCowan, Bakayoko.

Substitutes: Sharp, Main, Mulligan, Robinson, Robertson, Howley, Donnelly, Mellon, Costelloe.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Cyriel Dessers insists Rangers can still add "extra colour" to their season despite a third Old Firm derby defeat of the campaign significantly denting their chances of lifting the title.

The Nigeria striker believes there has been progress at Ibrox since Philippe Clement's arrival, but says things have become "difficult" in recent times.

"It's been a crazy season with ups and downs," Dessers said.

"If you look at how we started in August, it feels like years ago but it's only 10 months ago.

"You cannot say we're a bad team if you play in two cups finals, you've won one and are to play the second one.

"You're coming back in the league and you're coming really close. Unfortunately, it's got a bit difficult right now.

"The cup final is going to be really important to give this season that was overall not bad some extra colour and hopefully finish in a positive way."

Dessers echoed the view of his manager that there is not much between Rangers and Celtic, pointing to their record against the other teams in the top flight.

"If you look at the four games separately, I think they were really close every time. There were games when we deserved more than we got," he said.

"If you look overall in the league, we took more points against the 10 other teams than [Celtic] did.

"If you look at the table now, you see [derbies] made the difference this season. I think everybody can see both teams are really close to each other."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

As expected, the defeat against Celtic came.

And again, it was a mixture of men not doing their jobs and an inability to match up in midfield, losing the battle and ultimately losing the game as the last hope at winning the title burst into flames.

We knew what was coming, a fast Celtic start, and yet again we were caught by it. But when you have John Lundstram ambling around, leaving people free on the edge of the box, what else do you expect?

Fabio Silva had two great chances to put us ahead but he shot wide and missed the header.

Then Lundstram scores the OG for the second goal. First, the captain should not be allowing the cross to come into the box. Secondly, Lundstram should get a shout and leave it, the ball is landing at Ben Davies to clear.

And then to tackle Alistair Johnston in a nothing area of the pitch just after Cyriel Dessers' goal had got us back into the game was utter petulance.

Like I said last week, it's where this Rangers team is at just now. Our best players are injured or on the bench. The players look terrified of Celtic and the manager didn't learn from the last two derby matches, giving away the midfield.

That's before you talk about the referee turning the game into the Willie Collum show. Yes, the penalty decision had zero impact on the match, but it's just typical Collum – it has to be about him.

For me, the game was up after Ross County and this just cemented it. The next two matches should be used to get Abdallah Sima and Co minutes before the cup final and for the manager to find a way to try and lay a glove on Celtic in the Scottish Cup final – and win it.

He should be preparing for this game without Lundstram unfortunately.

If he only we could clone Dujon Sterling and have 10 of him.

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• Rangers are unbeaten in 12 meetings with Dundee in all competitions (W10 D2) since a 2-1 defeat in November 2017. The Ibrox side have kept nine clean sheets across those 12 games.

• Dundee have lost their last 16 away games against Rangers in all competitions by an aggregate score of 48-5 since a 2-0 win at Ibrox in March 2001.

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Rangers have only lost their final home league game in one of their last 15 seasons (W9 D5), going down 2-1 to Aberdeen in 2016-17.

• Dundee have only won two of their last 18 top-flight league matches played on a Tuesday (D5 L11), including just one of their last 10 such away games (D2 L7).

• Rangers’ James Tavernier has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 13 Scottish Premiership appearances at Ibrox (6 goals, 6 assist). Only in 2018-19 (16 – 9 goals, 7 assists) has the right-back been directly involved in more goals at Ibrox in a Scottish Premiership campaign than his 12 this term.

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement has 11 players unavailable. John Lundstram is suspended after being sent off against Celtic and John Souttar, Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling picked up knocks at Parkhead to join Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun, Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo, Abdallah Sima, Danilo and Bailey Rice on the injury list.

Dundee will assess Jordan McGhee after he picked up a knock against Hearts while Trevor Carson and Ricki Lamie are doubts. Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Owen Beck (groin) are out.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement says that Jack Butland cannot be allowed to leave the Ibrox club "for any price" in the summer, with the 31-year-old English goalkeeper a major part of his plans for next season. (The Herald), external

Rangers transfer target Jose Cordoba was left out of Levski Sofia's squad for their latest match as the 22-year-old Panama defender appears to edge closer to confirming a £3m move to Ibrox. (The National), external

Rangers winger Arron Lyall has admitted he is unsure over his future at Ibrox after the 20-year-old's loan to second-tier Airdrieonians expired. (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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