Rangers

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

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Rangers will feel they fully merited this win - their second derby triumph in a row after the January victory at Ibrox.

They'll also feel it's a statement victory at the home of the champions-elect after so many struggles on the domestic front.

Their energy-sapping encounter with Fenerbahce didn't stop them from putting in a high-octane, high-pressing performance that made a normally unflappable Celtic side completely lose their cool in the first half.

Two up at half-time, it could well have been more.

To watch Celtic come back to level would have been a blow, but for Rangers to still have the desire and energy to go on and win the game means huge credit should go to the players and the interim management team.

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor (calf) and defender Liam Scales (cheekbone) are doubts, while Paulo Bernardo (ankle) remains out, but James Forrest is back.

Barry Ferguson will assess some minor issues in his Rangers squad following their European exertions but there are no major injuries.

Watch all the goals from this season's two Old Firm derbies in the Scottish Premiership before the sides meet at Parkhead on Sunday.

Celtic triumphed 3-0 at home in September before Rangers won by the same scoreline at Ibrox in January.

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Thursday night's Europa League victory over Fenerbahce won't have any bearing on Sunday's Old Firm, says former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday.

Despite taking a 3-1 league into the second leg at Ibrox, Fenerbahce's 2-0 win took the match to extra time and then penalties where Rangers emerged as 3-2 winners.

There's little time to celebrate for Barry Ferguson's side though as they prepare to travel to Celtic Park for the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

But Halliday insists the extra minutes won't have any impact on the level of performance Rangers are able to put in.

"They had the European fixture on the Thursday night before they beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final a couple of years ago," Halliday said.

"And then they had the Europa League final just three days prior to when they beat Hearts in the Scottish Cup final. They've shown before that they can bounce back.

"Don't get me wrong, I think Celtic were always going to be strong favourites going into the game and I think the extra 30 minutes don't quite help Rangers.

"But that being said, it's an Old Firm game, you're running on adrenaline. You go into every game with niggles and tired legs but if there's any fixture in world football which is going to get you through in terms of your adrenaline, it's going to be this one on Sunday."

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• Celtic are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Rangers (W6 D2), winning each of their last five. Never in their history have Celtic won six consecutive home Old Firm derbies in the league.

• After their 3-0 win in January, Rangers are looking to win back-to-back league derbies against Celtic for the first time since August 2021 under Steven Gerrard, and first time within a single season since winning their first two meetings of the 2020-21 campaign.

• Seven of the last 13 league Old Firm meetings have seen the opening goal scored within the first 10 minutes. The side scoring first has won seven of the last eight league meetings, with the exception being a 3-3 draw in April 2024.

• Celtic have won 19 of their last 20 home league games (D1), including each of their last 10 by an aggregate score of 37-1. They've scored two or more goals in all 20 of these matches – their longest ever such run in the league.

• Rangers have lost two of their last three league games (W1), as many as their previous 18 beforehand (W12 D4). The Ibrox side could lose successive matches in the Premiership for the first time since March 2018 under Graeme Murty.

• This is Barry Ferguson's first Old Firm in charge of Rangers. None of the club's last eight managers to face Celtic have won their first meeting in all competitions (D3 L5), with the last being Ally McCoist in September 2011. Away from home, eight of the last 10 Rangers managers to visit Celtic lost their first trip (D2) since Walter Smith won 2-0 in August 1991.

• Ferguson will be the seventh different Rangers manager to face Brendan Rodgers' Celtic in all competitions. No other Celtic manager in history has faced more than four different Rangers managers.

• Celtic trio Alistair Johnston, Daizen Maeda, and Nicolas Kuhn are all joint top for assists in the Premiership this season (seven each), while Rangers pair Vaclav Cerny (66) and James Tavernier (54) are the top two players for chances created.

Rangers are looking at St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya as a potential replacement for Cyriel Dessers. (Football Insider), external

Everton are plotting a move to sign Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane from Rangers in the summer, but face competition from Marseille and Sevilla. (Football Insider), external

Jack Butland "is the reason that Rangers are in the Europa League quarter-finals", says former Ibrox boss Graeme Souness, who adds that the goalkeeper's display against Fenerbahce may be a timely reminder for England manager Thomas Tuchel (Daily Mail - subscription), external

Barry Ferguson is unlikely to remain Rangers manager if a proposed takeover goes ahead but has "shown he should be kept on in some capacity", says former Ibrox midfielder Scott Arfield. (Daily Record), external

Rangers will be allocated around 2,650 tickets for their Europa League quarter-final away leg against Athletic Bilbao. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Barry Ferguson is braced for even more pelters at Celtic Park on Sunday than he endured on his previous visit.

The current Rangers interim boss was in the directors' box as a club ambassador in September when Celtic defeated the Ibrox side 3-0 in the sides' first meeting of the season.

As he prepares for his debut Old Firm fixture as manager on Sunday, Ferguson said: "I don't mind. I honestly don't mind. Sometimes it crosses the line a wee bit, which disappoints me. But that's part of being in the west of Scotland. I know I took a wee bit, but it was fine.

"I knew what I was coming into. I think it will be a bit worse than when I was sitting in the directors' box. But I'm looking forward to it.

"These are the games you want to play in. These are the games you should look forward to.

"I'm sure I'll get a nice reception when I'm standing at the touchline.

"I'll need to focus on making sure my team go with the gameplan that we're thinking about. And if we carry that out, we've got a right good chance of getting the three points."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Barry Ferguson has been speaking to the media before Rangers face Old Firm rivals Celtic this weekend.

Here are the key points from the interim Ibrox manager:

• Ferguson says playing 120 minutes against Fenerbahce on Thursday night is no "excuse" heading into the derby, adding the players are "well looked after here".

• While Ferguson is relishing the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao, that tie is "in the distance" and his full focus is on trying to get a positive result at Celtic Park.

• He has told his players to "embrace" the "hostile" environment that awaits them at Celtic Park. Ferguson adds: "I can't wait to go and sample the match on Sunday as a manager on the touchline - that should be interesting. I'm sure I'll get a nice reception..."

• The players have "to take confidence" from knocking out "very good team" Fenerbahce, who were "one of the favourites" to win the Europa League.

• Ferguson adds: "The players deserve a huge pat on the back because what they achieved last night was great. And I told them after, enjoy these occasions."

• While the title race is all but over with Rangers 16 points behind Celtic, Ferguson says: "There's still a lot to play for in terms of their pride. I've got some huge games coming up, some really tough games. And obviously the one on Sunday, you don't get much tougher. But as a footballer, these are the games you've got to look forward to."

• With away supporters back at the fixture for the first time since January 2023, Ferguson says: "Our fans will get right behind us and demand a performance from us."

• Having flitted between a back four and three in his four games in charge so far, Ferguson says: "I am a big believer in different formations for different games. The players are getting used to change and they have taken it on board and given everything."

• The Rangers boss admits "morale was low" throughout the club when he arrived and part of his job is to bring "the full building" together.

• Ferguson says there were "a few walking wounded, a few took cramp" after Thursday night's exertions and "we just need to wait and see how they recover" on Saturday.

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Rangers forward Hamza Igamane has received his first senior Morocco call-up.

The 22-year-old has scored 13 times and recorded three assists in 36 appearances during his debut season at Ibrox.

Igamane, who helped Morocco Under-23s to Africa Nations Cup success in 2023, could win his first senior cap in this month's World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jack Butland insists Rangers have "nothing to fear" against Athletic Bilbao as they eye another run to the Europa League final after the goalkeeper's shootout heroics eliminated Fenerbahce.

The former England number one foiled Dusan Tadic and Fred from the spot before Mert Hakan Yandas ballooned over the bar to send Rangers into the quarter-finals after Jose Mourinho's side had won 2-0 at Ibrox to level the tie at 3-3.

Rangers are bidding to reach a third Europa League/Uefa Cup final in 17 years after finishing as runners-up in 2008 and 2022.

"I don't think that dream has ever been out of the question," said Butland.

"We don't plan ahead, we don't think ahead and we don't look at any task as being too big.

"Over the years, the Europa League run where the boys got to the final years back, we didn't fear anyone. I think that's important. You've got respect for the opposition and it's Bilbao next, it'll be another tough side.

"But we've got to back ourselves, as we've done over these two legs, and aim to get through to the semi-finals.

"[We have] Nothing to fear. The Tottenham game, the games that we played away, the [Manchester] United game, where we probably should have got more from it, we've shown that we can compete and we're not out of place at all. The belief is there. The group at the minute is full of confidence and it does believe."

Butland is relishing working with the interim management and says he was already well aware of Barry Ferguson's leadership qualities from their time as team-mates at Birmingham City.

"They're fans at heart," he said. "They have the club at heart, but also want the best for us as individuals and most importantly as a team. So it's been enjoyable.

"I've known the manager, he was my senior pro when I came through at Birmingham all those years ago. He was the role model, he was the one that set the tone in the changing room. I've seen a little bit more of it in the last couple of weeks.

"It was a Birmingham team that was led and organised by him and it was driven and it was about accountability and hard work and just giving everything. That hasn't changed and that's what's required here."

Rangers have little time to reflect on their European exploits as they head to Celtic Park on Sunday for the Old Firm derby.

"There's no excuses. We recover, we enjoy tonight, back ourselves as we always do and we go there to win on Sunday, simple as that," added Butland.

We asked for your views on Rangers' dramatic shootout win over Fenerbahce and facing Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: The "Ibrox woes" will remain until we have a striker who can consistently deliver. There lies the fundamental issue. Yes the team showed character which is to be commended, however to put the ball (in open play), in the net five times away and zero at home says it all.

Alan: It was a brave performance and excellent overall win. However, the second leg exposed the continued poor form at home which is concerning. We can hopefully continue in this competition and reach another final while building for next season.

Thomas: Not a vintage Rangers but they got the job done. It keeps the season going for both the players and the supporters. Need to get back on track domestically, losing four home games on the spin is frankly embarrassing, but bring on Bilbao in the quarters!

Gerry: A memorable night for all the Rangers fans. To make the Europa League quarters is commendable. Let's not get carried away. Four home defeats in a row. Europe is an Elastoplast covering the cracks. Barry Ferguson cannot be made permanent manager.

Ronnie: Fantastic to reach the quarter-finals, however we did lose the match and that's four on the spin at Ibrox. We did show resilience especially in extra time. But Hamza Igamane once again was very poor. His selfishness denied us good chances to score. Delighted for Barry. I'm pinching myself, we are only two rounds away from the final.

Dougie: To get to the quarter-finals is some achievement and great for Scottish football, when we got Fenerbahce I didn't think we would get through. Bilbao will be harder but you never know with this team and Thursday nights. Proud.

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Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson on BBC Sportsound

"I've got to give them massive credit because at 2-0 down, heading into extra time, I feared for Rangers.

"But they managed to galvanise themselves and regain composure. They showed a lot of bravery, shown mostly by their captain James Tavernier. Rangers' penalties were excellent and Jack Butland was phenomenal."

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday on BBC Sportsound

"Butland is the hero. We talked about his lack of form this season compared to last. All of that is firmly out the window. I'm delighted for him - it's a lonely position being a goalkeeper and he deserves all the credit he gets for two massive stops in the shooutout.

"Rangers were second best for large parts of the night, but they will not care."

Commentator Liam McLeod on BBC Sportsound

"The Interim One has got the better of the Special One.

"Rangers were pushed to the brink but prevailed in a competition they cannot do too much wrong in. This is where they come to life for sure. What a night it's been for them."

Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield on TNT Sports

"James Tavernier was amazing in central defence. Leon Balogun, he's such a voice on the pitch, but he's so athletic as well. When you've got that athleticism going back the way it makes it so much easier to press high, because you know he won't get caught out for pace."

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• Rangers have reached the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup/Europa League for the third time, after 2007-08 and 2021-22, where they were losing finalists in both.

• Since the start of last season, only Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko (56 each) have more goals and assists combined in all competitions for Fenerbahce than Sebastian Szymanski (18 goals, 27 assists).

• Rangers captain James Tavernier made his 61st appearance in major European competition for the club, moving one clear of current boss Barry Ferguson (60) to become the outright third most appearance maker after Allan McGregor (78) and John Greig (62).

• Fenerbahçe scored with their first shot on target of the game, in the 45th minute, while the Turkish giants secured only their second victory in last 12 knockout stage away games in major European competition (D3 L7).

• Rangers have won just two of their past eight home games in European competition including qualifiers (D2 L4) while the Glasgow giants failed to score on home soil in Europe for just the third time in the past 14.

• Rangers have won four of their six penalty shootouts in European competition while Fenerbahçe have lost two of their three.

Sevilla are preparing a €10m offer for Hamza Igamane but fear it could fall short if the Rangers striker shines on international duty with Morocco. (Vamos Mi Sevilla via Scottish Sun, external)

Rangers have earned just over £11m from their Europa League exploits - without including ticket sales from five sold-out home matches and the guarantee of at least one more in the quarter-finals. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson: "I actually thought we played well. The two goals we could do better but one thing I've got to say about my group of players is they showed character. I thought we handled the penalty situation very well. the main objective was to make sure I got this club into the last eight and I've done that.

Since we've been in we've tried to chance. the group of players were short of confidence so that's something we've worked on over the last couple of weeks. tonight I've got to give the supporters a mention, I thought they stuck to the team until the very end.

"To play for the club and then captain it was obviously a dream but to stand on the sidelines and lead the team I grew up supporting was an amazing feeling. When I was appointed I know people said I wasn't qualified or I wasn't the right guy for the job, that just makes me even more determined.

"I'm going to give it everything for the next few months. the player are digging deep for me and that's all I asked.

"I thought tonight's performance in terms of the result wasn't great but the way the players carried themselves, kept going to the very end. I'm delighted for the players, for the board of directors and most importantly for the supporters.

"We're obviously 16 points behind Celtic but we've still got a lot to play for in my opinion. You have to go and show what it means to play at this club.

"Europe is a long shot in terms of getting to the final but we're going to give it our best shot.

"In the league games we need to show that we're more than capable of making challenges every single season."