Rangers

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Given Rangers came into this one on the back of an unprecedented seven-match winless streak at Ibrox, you would have thought they'd have been busting a gut to put that right.

It didn't look much like it for long periods of the first half. The apathy symbolised by the plethora of empty seats around Ibrox appeared to be mirrored in the attitude and energy of the home players.

That all changed in a much-improved performance after the break, helped a great deal by some terrible Aberdeen defending.

Ferguson wanted his men to show pride, and quality in the final third. He got both, eventually, and is entitled to enjoy his first home win as Rangers manager. Whether he's around to enjoy many more will soon be decided at boardroom level.

Rangers are lining up a £4m move for Troyes midfielder Metinho, with the 22-year-old, currently on loan at Basel, top of the list of targets for their incoming American owners. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Ibrox player and coach Jimmy Nicholl has urged Rangers to get a move on with appointing a new manager - or risk an unsettled start to next season. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Bailey Rice is determined to cement his status as a Rangers first-team regular, regardless of who the manager will be next season.

The 18-year-old midfielder made his debut for the club away to Livingston in February 2023, but further progress has been gradual.

After featuring just twice as a late substitute in the 2023-24 campaign, he has made nine appearances this term, three of which have been starts.

Barry Ferguson take interim charge in February, but there is uncertainty over who will be Rangers boss next season amid an impending takeover of the club.

"You don't want to just be a squad player or a bench player," Rice said prior to Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen.

"You want to be playing for this club which I've supported for my whole life. It's a dream every time I play and hopefully I can take that into next season and see where it goes.

"People can say it's been slow, but at the end of the day this is Rangers. It's a lot harder and a lot more demanding than any other club. I've been happy with how it's been."

On his relationship with caretaker boss Ferguson, Rice added: "He's been brilliant, he's been brutally honest which I really like and he has been picking apart my game to see what I can do better and see what I'm doing well."

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Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi will miss the last three games of the season with an injury picked up against Celtic last week but Robin Propper has returned to training.

Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling (Achilles) are out for the season while Tom Lawrence has been absent recently.

Aberdeen defenders Alexander Jensen and Kristers Tobers are back in training. Ester Sokler (leg), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (knee) remain sidelined.

Rangers are considering re-hiring Steven Gerrard as manager, with Gary O'Neil, Rob Edwards and Russell Martin also on the Ibrox club's list of targets. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Rangers are readying an offer for Estoril defender Kevin Boma, while there is also interest in the 22-year-old Frenchman from Union Berlin and FC Basel. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Jose Cifuentes has hinted he wants to turn his loan move into a permanent one after Greek side Aris made an approach to Rangers to lower the £2.2m asking price for the Ecuador midfielder. (Daily Record), external

Rangers-linked winger Kwame Poku has "30 clubs" chasing him, according to Peterborough owner Darragh McAnthony. (Glasgow Times), external

Former Ibrox full-back Alan Hutton says Rangers need to bring in six or seven new players. (BoyleSports via Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ianis Hagi could have played his final game for Rangers after interim head coach Barry Ferguson confirmed the Romania midfielder is out for the rest of the season.

Hagi, 26, went off during last week's 1-1 draw with Celtic, shortly after having come on as a substitute, with a knee injury appearing to curtail his involvement.

And with his contract running out this summer, Hagi may not feature again for the Ibrox side, who have three games remaining and host Aberdeen on Sunday.

Hagi arrived, initially on loan, in 2020 from Genk before formalising a move later that year. He helped Steven Gerrard's Rangers win the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership but a serious knee injury in January 2022 resulted in a year-long absence.

In December 2022, he agreed a new contract but joined Alaves on loan the following August.

He was initially left out of Philippe Clement's first-team plans at Rangers this season but eventually returned and has contributed four goals in 31 appearances this term.

"Ianis unfortunately is gong to miss the rest of the season," said Ferguson.

"I'm disappointed for him. I spoke to him a couple of times, he's hurting. He's a brilliant kid to work with. He's got a lot to offer. Gutted for him."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson has been talking to the media before the game with Aberdeen this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• On Celtic goalkeeper keeper Viljami Sinisalo having objects thrown at him during last week's derby at Ibrox, Ferguson says: "You don't want to see things like that, and the club are obviously going to take action."

• He hopes it won't affect away supporters being back at Old Firm derbies: "It's been brilliant having my own fans at the games and getting behind the team. So the last thing we want to see is fans not being allowed in."

• No updates on Ferguson's future and he's had "no involvement of what he would do" as the club looks to next season. He's trying to stay professional, prepare the team as best he can, and "not sit in a corner and cry".

• Ferguson admits it's hard on him and the players not knowing where his future lies, but reiterates a decision must be made soon and that there's a lot of work to be done for next season.

• He believes it is possible to rebuild Rangers into a competitive force in one transfer window: "Celtic and other teams have done it. In an ideal world a manager wants time to change things."

• Seven games without a win at Ibrox is "far too long" and the players "understand what has to be done on Sunday" against Aberdeen. Trying to win is personal motivation for him and the players.

• Ianis Hagi is out for the rest of the season. Robin Propper has been training all week so might be in contention.

Rangers and Aberdeen meet at Ibrox this weekend, 34 years to the day since the teams went to head for the title.

The Dons required just a draw to win the league, but failed to convert early chances and were made to pay as Rangers triumphed 2-0 thanks to a Mark Hateley double.

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Reports in Turkey say Vaclav Cerny, on loan at Rangers from Wolfsburg, is on a three-man shortlist for Besiktas, who want to sign two wingers. (Daily Record), external

Red Star Belgrade left-back Ebenezer Annan, linked with Rangers last month, is being tracked by Dutch club Feyenoord. (Scottish Sun), external

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, linked with Rangers, suggests he is likely to be returning to Germany for a Bundesliga job. (Kicker via Glasgow Times, external)

Southampton are favourites to land Rangers-linked Rohl as they bid to bounce back to the Premier League next season. (Daily Record), external

Rangers have outlined their proposal for "formal approval" in relation to future tifo displays at Ibrox after condemning an "unacceptable" banner on display at the Old Firm derby. (The Herald, external - subscription)

Friday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on which out-of-contract players Rangers should keep this summer.

Here's what some of you said:

Murray: Neraysho Kasanwirjo, I would take on a loan with option to buy. Let all the out-of-contract guys go. The only player I would 100% keep is Nico Raskin. John Souttar can go, or keep him as a back-up defender.

Rhys: I'd keep Leon Balogun as he's been brilliant all season. Let Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi go as they're too injury prone. Don't sign Kasanwirjo as he's hardly had a start in months.

Allan: For me, all three out-of-contract players should leave. Balogun was used due to lack of decent centre-backs and although he has been a great servant to the club, he is getting old. Lawrence and Hagi struggled to get in the starting XI, I am sure better players can be brought in. Vaclav Cerny could come permanently and another loan period for Kasanwirjo may be better, as his injury history is not good, if fully fit, he is an asset to the team.

Finlay: We need to keep Hagi and Balogun, even if It means reduced wages, as they show their strengths everywhere every time. If we are keeping inconsistent players like Robin Propper, it tells us how much they underestimate the league. Cerny needs to be signed, he has been our icon of the season.

Oli: Keep James Tavernier at all costs and I would probably also keep Hagi because he's still a creative player and Rangers this season have lacked creativity.

William: Although hampered by injuries, I would keep Lawrence. Why? He has a good football brain and reads the game, he just needs a period of play so that others will know where to be for a pass. Keep Balogun, we owe him another year.

Bill: Cerny was decent and Hagi has potential. It's about attitude. Do they want to play for the club? Priority is getting the right manager, a solid recruitment strategy, and keeping Raskin.

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• Rangers have lost just one of their past 13 home games against Aberdeen in all competitions (W10 D2), winning their last three in a row since a 3-1 reverse in September 2023.

• The past eight league matches between Rangers and Aberdeen have an even head-to-head record: three wins each, two draws, and 11 goals each.

• Rangers are winless in their past seven home games in all competitions (D2 L5), their longest ever run without a home win.

• Since winning their opening three away league outings of this season, Aberdeen have only won two of their past 14 on the road (D4 L8).

• Cyriel Dessers has scored in Rangers' past two league games, and could score in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances for the first time. With 10 home league goals last season and nine this, Dessers could become only the third player to reach double figures for home goals in both of his first two Scottish Premiership seasons since the competition's rebrand in 2013, after Louis Moult (2015-16 & 2016-17) and Bojan Miovski (2022-23 and 2023-24).

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Goalkeeper Jack Butland would have plenty suitors should he opt to leave Rangers in the summer, says former Ibrox defender Richard Foster. (Daily Record), external

The new Rangers manager must grasp the pressure, demands and expectations of being in charge of the club, says former midfielder Ryan Jack. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

With Rangers' season effectively over after a disappointing campaign, attentions at Ibrox will be turning to next term.

A potential takeover is in the works and a permanent manager needs to be hired, but there are also some notable first-team players with deals expiring.

Leon Balogun, Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence are all out of contract in the summer, while Vaclav Cerny is set to return to Wolfsburg when his loan ends.

The Ibrox club also have an option to buy on-loan Feyenoord defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who impressed earlier this season and is just back from a long-term injury.

We want your views on who Rangers should keep or let go - have your say.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' involvement in the Champions League qualifiers begins 11 weeks from now and as Barry Ferguson noted in the aftermath of Sunday's draw with Celtic, there is much to be done at the club to prepare them for those.

With three games to come next week to conclude a largely wretched season (some impressive European performances and results notwithstanding), Rangers fans will hope the much-vaunted takeover is concluded and announced swiftly thereafter.

One would think that those involved would already have a plan in place regarding a permanent manager to lead the club, perhaps someone who has already been having conversations with incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell, technical director Nils Koppen and chief executive Patrick Stewart about the make-up of next season's squad.

It seems inevitable there will be a high degree of activity both in and out in that regard, but Rangers will once again face the prospect of trying to move on players for a decent fee who have largely underachieved.

There has been a great deal of talk about moving to a transfer policy where they buy low and sell high, but short of cashing in on Nico Raskin and perhaps Hamza Igamane, few of the current squad will be worth more now than when they arrived.

There will also be departures for free – Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence are among those out of contract and so while there will be a saving on their wages, the fact Rangers will not receive a fee is another damning indictment of the way business has been conducted.

Sure, there will be fresh investment, but financial fair play rules and the swingeing losses incurred at Ibrox in recent years mean they will be unable to throw ridiculous amounts of money around in the next transfer window.

All that said, the takeover – if and when it happens – does allow Rangers supporters to believe that maybe they will be celebrating title number 56 this time next year rather than their rivals across the city.

Rangers manager Barry Ferguson says Oscar Cortes and Danilo need to do more to get more first team minutes. (Herald - subscription required), external

Ex-Ibrox forward Peter Lovenkrands would not expect Rangers' prospective new owners to spend big straight away, should they complete their expected takeover this summer. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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"People have got opinions, but I know I can do the job."

Interim manager Barry Ferguson still has belief he can lead Rangers into next season, but is the damage to his hopes beyond repair?

Sunday's Old Firm draw with Celtic means Ferguson has taken four points from two games against the Scottish champions, which certainly favours the former Ibrox captain.

So, too, does the Europa League last-16 triumph over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. But, away from that, Ferguson's reign has been far from convincing.

Across 12 matches in charge following the exit of Philippe Clement, Rangers have won just four times, lost four and also drawn four.

They have conceded at least two goals in nine of those fixtures, shipping 21 overall and scoring 20. There has been just one clean sheet.

Currently, they are also without a victory since the end of March and are on a six-game winless run.

With their final three fixtures of the season coming against Europe-chasing Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hibernian, improving that form won't be easy.

Ferguson is also yet to lead Rangers to a home victory, having failed to win five games at Ibrox, with Sunday's draw meaning the Govan club set an wanted club record of seven straight winless home games.

While the caretaker boss has shown he is capable of getting big results in big games, the doubts that remain over his ability to lead the team in fixtures where there is expectancy on the side may weigh too heavily.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Let's start with the positives from Sunday, shall we?

Rangers were very good for 45 minutes and scored a lovely goal on the transition. In fact, you could argue we could have gone in further ahead as we hit the bar from a Leon Balogun header.

In the midfield, Nico Raskin and Mo Diomande were excellent. And, as poor as this Rangers team is, it can certainly hold its own against this Celtic side, who will no doubt go on and win the treble. It's hardly a positive but with the season being as bad as it has been, I'm reaching.

The negatives, of course, were not winning at home again, a mistake for Adam Idah's goal from John Souttar, and the fact every change Barry Ferguson made seemed to disrupt the side in the second half.

We just couldn't get going after the break and allowed Celtic to take control.

Overall the game was all about effort and endeavour without any real quality from both sides. And I'll say it again, it's one match closer to the final whistle at Easter Road on 17 May.

The only question remaining this season is: will Ferguson win at Ibrox as Rangers manager? There are two games left for him to try to achieve that.

It would be nice for him to win both, starting with the visit of Aberdeen on Sunday, and for Rangers to go away in the summer and put this season well behind them.

From my perspective, it's been like a season of death by 1,000 cuts. Hopefully soon we will get confirmation of the takeover and a new manager to bring in the new era.

Rangers and Leeds United are linked with a bid for Mali winger Moussa Djenepo, with the 26-year-old currently on loan at Turkish club Antalyaspor from Standard Liege in Belgium. (Africa Foot, external - in French), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish Gossip