'There's not a big gap' between Rangers & Celtic - Clementpublished at 17:53 13 May
17:53 13 May
Rangers manager Philippe Clement insists there is not a "big gap" between his side and Celtic, despite Saturday's 2-1 defeat which effectively ended the title race.
Clement has taken just one point from three league games against Celtic, and the Belgian admits results against their Glasgow rivals have to improve.
"If we are both fully fit, no," he said when asked if Rangers have to bridge a gap to Celtic. "You can also see that in the points. Even with two losses and a draw [against them] we’ve won one more point across the last six months.
"So no, there’s not a big gap. But we need to prove that on the pitch in the results against each other and in the other games also. We need to grab those moments, that’s part of top football."
Clement bemoaned the injuries Rangers have had to deal with this season, and says they cannot suffer the same situation if they are to make progress next season.
"Every team in the world, if they had nine players from the possible starting eleven who’re not available that is difficult.
"That is a major thing we need to change for next season so these things don’t happen. It’s the foundation of the house that we need to make strong."
Clement on summer rebuild, injury crisis and positive progress published at 14:47 13 May
14:47 13 May
Kheredine Idessane BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been facing to the media ahead of Dundee's visit to Ibrox on Tuesday.
Here are the key points:
Declines to discuss the budget required for a big rebuild in the summer, but says "I feel the club knows how necessary it is.”
Believes there is "not a big gap" between Celtic and Rangers if both teams are fully fit.
"Positive" that his team fought right to end against a full strength Celtic side, adding "any team in the world" would struggle without nine first team players.
Says that tally of unavailable players stretches to 11 for Tuesday's game: John Souttar, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, John Lundstram, Tom Lawrence, Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo, Abdallah Sima, Danilo and Bailey Rice are all out.
Hopes to have several of those bodies back for the Scottish Cup final next weekend.
Insists the club has made good progress since his arrival at Ibrox, saying there is a lot to build on.
Urges players to fight for "pride and honour" in remaining two league fixtures, before working "really hard" to lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden.
Jack Butland may have been on the losing side in a pivotal Old Firm derby, but he fully deserves his spot in my team of the week.
The margin of defeat at Celtic Park could have been far greater were it not for several outstanding saves from the England international.
Rangers demand action over Tavernier missiles - gossippublished at 08:42 13 May
08:42 13 May
Furious Rangers have called for action after right-back and captain James Tavernier was once again targeted by missiles during Saturday's Old Firm derby defeat away to Celtic and left "lucky" to avoid a serious injury. (Glasgow Times), external
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has stressed "there will be signings" in the summer as Ibrox defenders James Tavernier and Connor Goldson continue to be linked with the Englishman's current club, Al-Ettifaq. (Glasgow Times), external
'Squad needs a complete overhaul'published at 12:51 12 May
12:51 12 May
We asked for your thoughts after Rangers' title challenge all but ended with defeat at Celtic Park.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
William: Rangers are way behind Celtic because they've had much better coaches and recruitment for a long time. Something really seismic has to happen to make that change.
Anon: The team’s inability to take on the manager's obvious advice is enough to warrant a removal of the old guard in the summer. An infuriating end to the season and the summer rebuild under Philippe Clement will be exciting, I hope.
Ben: We're miles behind Celtic. There are maybe three players I would keep under any circumstances, and wouldn't be sad to see any of the rest go. We never look like having the threat they do, both in Old Firm and other league games. A big summer ahead.
Sam: Majority don't stand up for the club. If they go on and lose the Scottish Cup we will have a team of losers.
Anon: Season is over now. Limped to the finish line. Squad needs a complete overhaul. Start some of the young boys in the last few games and see if they are good enough going forward. It's time for a summer clearout and get rid of all the passengers.
Margaret: If we had bought Lawrence Shankland in January, we wouldn’t be in this position.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Key statspublished at 11:29 12 May
11:29 12 May
Rangers attempted eight shots in this game, their lowest total in a single match in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Rangers have scored in 33 of their 36 games, more often than any other team in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Celtic have scored in each of their last seven games in the Scottish Premiership, scoring 19 goals in that run.
Matt O'Riley has scored 15 goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Celtic player in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers: What the manager saidpublished at 15:17 11 May
15:17 11 May
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "Of course, disappointed at losing. Mostly disappointed about first 20 minutes when we weren't aggressive enough.
"Also in the decision making in the tackle and getting a red card because that changed the game.
"We had our chances and made our goal. At half-time, the xG of the teams is similar. If you stay with 11, it's another story.
"To speak about positive things, the team kept on fighting and made it difficult for Celtic. There was a lot of tension in the stadium because my team kept fighting. That's what I demand of them.
"John [Lundstram] made a bad decision and he knows [that]. We don't forget everything he has done for the team. Now it's looking forward.
"Everybody felt there was still a chance. You need to take those moments and we were not clinical enough.
"We need to recover fast and get the three points against Dundee."
Asked if the title is Celtic's, he adds: "I never accept until it's mathematically sure. It's a long shot now."
Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Have your saypublished at 15:07 11 May
15:07 11 May
Celtic are on the brink of another Scottish Premiership title after emerging from a stormy derby against 10-man Rangers with a vital victory.
A Matt O'Riley strike and an own goal from John Lundstram, who was also sent off, proved enough for Brendan Rodgers' side to move six points clear of their rivals with two games left and a better goal difference.
An already lively contest burst into life before the break as three goals and a red card came in 12 frantic minutes.
Firstly O'Riley drilled Celtic in front, before Lundstram diverted Daizen Maeda's cross into his own net three minutes later to put the leaders in control.
However, Rangers' initial response was excellent. Borna Barisic crossed for Dujon Sterling, and his header was flicked home by Cyriel Dessers to revive Rangers' title hopes.
But just as the few in blue at Celtic Park had some renewed purpose, Lundstram flew into a tackle and clattered Alistair Johnston.
After initially only being shown a yellow card, the Rangers midfielder was sent down the tunnel in first-half stoppage time after referee Willie Collum changed his decision following a review.
That made Rangers' already difficult task severe, and Celtic should then have made life more comfortable for their 60,000 fans, but struggled to bury their visitors, with Matt O'Riley's tame penalty saved and Daizen Maeda having two goals ruled offside.
Celtic now just need one point from games against Kilmarnock and St Mirren to secure a third straight title.
We want your views on the Old Firm game – have your sayhere.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Analysispublished at 15:02 11 May
15:02 11 May
Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland
Philippe Clement has been praised for coming in in the Autumn with Rangers' hopes looking bleak and making a fist of this title race. Especially given the injury list he has had to contend with.
The loss to Ross County and draw with Dundee in the space of three days last month was the turning point in the title race and when the dust settles on this season, those will be the moments they reflect on. The moment they handed the initiative back to Celtic.
The same questions over this squad will linger. Is it a mentality issue? Or are they simply not up to the standard required?
It was arguably summed up by John Lundstram's reckless sending off whicgh was so costly, and a big error from an experienced player.
Those are the issues Clement and the club will have to grapple with in the summer. Before that, they have to take some momentum into the Scottish Cup final against Celtic in a bid to end an up-and-down season with two trophies.
That would be some consolation for finishing as Premiership bridesmaids yet again.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers: Who impressed?published at 14:55 11 May
14:55 11 May
Davies starts at Celtic Parkpublished at 11:44 11 May
11:44 11 May
Leon Balogun has not recovered from a back injury sustained in last weekend's 4-1 win over Kilmarnock and, with Connor Goldson also sidelined, that means a first start in five months for Rangers centre-half Ben Davies against Celtic.
The only other change is Tom Lawrence taking Todd Cantwell's place in midfield.
Celtic v Rangers: Team news published at 20:37 10 May
20:37 10 May
Celtic have a full squad to choose from with Daizen Maeda pushing for a start after making his comeback from a hamstring off the bench last weekend.
Rangers defender Leon Balogun will be assessed after picking up an injury last week against Kilmarnock.
Midfielder Ryan Jack is fit again but will not be considered while attackers Abdallah Sima (hamstring) and Rabbi Matondo (knock) remain sidelined with Connor Goldson (knee), Danilo (knee) and Oscar Cortes (muscle) out for the rest of the season.
'The more they boo, the stronger we'll get' - Clement published at 16:15 10 May
16:15 10 May
Jane Lewis BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Philippe Clement insists his Rangers team will relish the hostile atmosphere of Celtic Park with no away fans in attendance.
The Ibrox side travel to their title rivals knowing a defeat would leave their chances of winning the league on the brink.
But Clement says he has no doubt his players can rise to the occasion and deal with the pressure from the home crowd.
"I'm really confident about that, I have no doubt about that," the Belgian manager said.
"If you want to be a player here or in this town, it's the case when you're on that pitch, I know that from the past when I was there on the pitch as a player.
"The more people boo at you, the more people are shouting at you, the more people are negative towards you, the more they are afraid that their team don't get the result, it works that way.
"So in a way, I think the more boos tomorrow, the stronger my team is going to get.
"I don't think I need to put belief in my team this week. I feel belief in my team.
"I feel they're hungry, they have desire to show themselves as a team, not as an individual.
"Yes, we had some bumps on the road, but they've been really consistent overall in these months in the results.
"We're really close by showing our level to close this gap of seven points, nobody expected [this] seven months ago."
'We need to be really good gladiators in the Colosseum'published at 16:08 10 May
16:08 10 May
Rangers manager Philippe Clement sizes up the task his side face at Celtic Park on Saturday where the 60,000 crowd will include only home fans.