Rangers

If Rangers are to revive fading title hopes, victory at Celtic Park on Saturday looks a must.

It's a feat they haven't accomplished in almost four years. Against a backdrop of Covid restrictions in October 2020, Connor Goldson came up trumps with both goals to secure a 2-0 win in the first Old Firm derby played without fans.

That victory proved a key foundation as the Ibrox side, then helmed by Steven Gerrard, went on to claim their first top-flight title in a decade.

As Rangers - minus the injured Goldson - head across Glasgow this weekend seeking their first away win over Celtic in seven attempts, click the play icon above to relive their previous Parkhead success.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jack Butland says football fans can "overstep the mark" after footage of a tense conversation between the goalkeeper and a Rangers supporter emerged on social media.

The Englishman says he's keen to "move on" from the incident as he prepares for Saturday's Old Firm derby.

"When you have a Rangers family as big as it is, and you are there with your own kids, sometimes people overstep the mark," Butland said.

"Especially in front of children, things aren't acceptable.

"But that's been addressed, we've moved on from it and I have no concerns going forward.

"It's always a situation people are going to try and make something out of. Wherever you go, wherever you have tensions, you have people that want and expect everything from people.

"They don't always know what's going on half the time. That's just part and parcel of football.

"It's not what this week's about. It's not what tomorrow's about. It's been put to bed many days ago."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

Here are the key points from his media conference:

• Doesn’t necessarily agree that the derby is a must win for his side in terms of the title. He says it would still be "possible" with a draw. Even with a loss, the Belgian insists it’s not over, although concedes it would be a long shot.

• Says he envies the players as he would love to be involved in the game, joking Rangers probably wouldn’t want that.

• His players have belief and he isn’t concerned about how they handle this match mentally: “The more boos my players hear at Celtic Park, the stronger they will become.”

• Admits his teams need to start well, far better than they did in the most recent Old Firm game, falling behind within the first minute.

• Says football is like a modern-day gladiators and he wants his players to be good gladiators. The only difference is that those in football don’t get killed - "only verbally".

• Wouldn't be further drawn on Brendan Rodgers' “fun” comments. Says he reacted to those in the moment and has moved on.

• Leon Balogun is a doubt in the only fresh injury concern from last weekend's win over Kilmarnock.

Former Rangers midfielder Stuart McCall says Philippe Clement's side must show a strong mentality in Saturday's title showdown away to Celtic if they are to upset the odds and keep their title hopes alive.

Listen to the Old Firm preview episode of the BBC's Scottish football podcast

Rangers are increasingly confident they will be able to keep goalkeeper Jack Butland this summer despite significant interest from the English Premier League and in Europe. (TeamTalk), external

Rangers are in advanced talks to strike a deal for Jose Cordoba, with the Panama centre-half having a year left on his contract at Levski Sofia in Bulgaria. (Rangers Review, external, subscription required)

Rangers left-back Borna Barisic has rejected a late Dinamo Zagreb offer to take him back to Croatia and looks set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer. (Express via Football Scotland, external)

Ben Davies is set to make his fifth league start for Rangers this season in Saturday’s massive Old Firm derby, with Leon Balogun hurting his back last weekend against Kilmarnock. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers striker Danilo, who has not played this year, tells fans in a live TikTok video that he is aiming to be back in time for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on 25 May. (Scottish Sun), external

"It’s pretty much win-or-bust", for Rangers at Celtic Park tomorrow, says former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson, who urges his old team to "embrace every single second of it". (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Jack Butland, Bojan Miovski, Matt O'Riley and Lawrence Shankland have been named on the shortlist for the Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year award.

Hearts striker Shankland will be looking to add to his PFA Scotland Premiership player of the year prize, having already pipped Rangers' Butland and O'Riley of Celtic to the award.

Miovski, who has scored 24 goals for Aberdeen this term, was omitted from the PFA's nominees, with Rangers captain James Tavernier included.

But having been a rare highlight in a disappointing season at Pittodrie, the Macedonian has carried a struggling side on his back and made his mark in Europe, as well as against the Old Firm.

Butland has enjoyed a stellar first campaign north of the border, filling the sizeable gloves left behind by Rangers legend Allan McGregor with authority this season.

The Englishman has kept 18 clean sheets in 35 Premiership games and has helped the Ibrox side boast the best defensive record in the top flight, conceding just 25 times.

On the other side of Glasgow, midfielder O'Riley has enjoyed his most productive season in green and white, racking up 12 goals and 14 assists - a league high.

With Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate missing at times, the Denmark international has stepped up this season and his impact could see Celtic retain their title despite increased pressure from their rivals.

But as the Premiership top scorer and with one award already claimed, Shankland could be the man to beat.

While his goals have rightfully grabbed the headlines, the 28-year-old has also been crucial in Hearts' build-up play en route to third place and has taken the role of captain in the absence of Craig Gordon.

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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For some in the Rangers support, there is a degree of apprehension attached to the thought of James Tavernier in Old Firm derbies.

In recent outings, the blistering pace of Daizen Maeda has caused the Ibrox captain issues - exemplified by his blunder within the first minute at Ibrox last month that allowed the Japan forward to give Celtic an early lead.

While his defensive frailties have been on display in this fixture, so has Tavernier's incredible attacking prowess.

In fact, a look at the numbers tells you six of the last 10 goals Rangers have scored in league meetings with Celtic have involved the defender, who has netted five and provided one assist.

Even with no away support to cheer him on, Tavernier has made his mark, scoring in the last three Premiership derbies at Celtic Park.

It may have ended up being nothing more than a consolation, but his stunning free-kick in the new year derby in the east end showed his composure and quality from dead-ball situations.

The 32-year-old is often a source of frustration from his side's support, but few from either side of the Glasgow divide have contributed more in the heat of the Old Firm battle in recent times.

Since Rangers returned to the top flight in 2016, Tavernier has scored six goals and picked up four assists in league derbies.

Only Odsonne Edouard can match his tally of 10 goal involvements, a Premier League striker who played in a Celtic side that ran roughshod over Rangers.

If Philippe Clement's side are to keep their title hopes alive, they may well need Tavernier to keep up his reliable production levels against their fiercest rivals.

But the captain will also be required to show steel and leadership in defence if Rangers are to emerge with things all square at the top of the table.

We asked you who will be the key players for Philippe Clement's side as Rangers travel to Celtic on Saturday.

Here's what you had to say:

Callum: Rangers always fail to win the midfield battle, they let Callum McGregor run the game and give the two in front of him far too much time and space. I think a midfield three of Nicolas Raskin, Dujon Sterling and Mohamed Diomande could see Rangers properly compete with Celtic in the middle of the park and could allow them to gain control in the game.

Alistair: The game on Saturday we can win but we need a tight defence and no sloppy mistakes. We need to take our chances and that’s what we need to do to keep the title chase a bit more possible.

Joseph: In all my years watching Old Firm games I always think that these games are won in midfield. If you win this area, you control the game & ultimately win it. I hope the Rangers midfield have the game of their lives & bring back results we used to get in the Walter Smith era. We used to go there & win on a regular basis back then.

Elaine: We have to take any chances that come our way. Not sure who is going to do that. We also have to shut up shop at the back which means our defensive midfielders helping out. If Ridvan Yilmaz plays with Sterling in midfield, we have a chance.

Kenny: Cyriel Dessers has not got the ticker to rough up the Celtic defence, and James Tavernier can’t defend - he costs Rangers as many goals as he scores! These two, and a few of the other passengers, need too be shown the door at the end of the season! Let’s recruit some decent young players with the talent and passion to put in an honest day’s work.

Peter: Honestly believe there should be more discussion about the football. This is a game of 90 minutes same as any other. Rangers need to believe they can overcome their rivals as I said back in January. I also said at the time we had to wait four months to have another go. Lose this and it’s another year. Rangers need to boss it on the park. Let’s go win.

Watch all six goals from the last meeting of Rangers and Celtic before their upcoming encounter at Celtic Park on Saturday (UK only).

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• Celtic haven’t lost any of the three league meetings with Rangers this season (W2 D1); they last avoided defeat in four league Old Firm derbies in a single season in 2017-18.

• Rangers have lost their last three league visits to Celtic, last losing four in a row from February 2011 to September 2016.

• Rangers haven’t lost the final league Old Firm derby in any of the last five Scottish Premiership seasons (W4 D1), last doing so in 2017-18 when they lost 5-0 at Celtic Park.

• Celtic have won seven of their last eight home league games (D1), including each of their last four in a row while scoring 3+ each time (16 goals – four per game).

• Only Motherwell (19) have recovered more points from losing positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than Rangers (14), while the Ibrox side have dropped the fewest points from winning positions (three).

• After losing 2-1 in December, Philippe Clement could be the fifth Rangers manager to lose both of his first two away league games at Celtic, after Jock Wallace, John Greig, Ally McCoist and Steven Gerrard.

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Philippe Clement, Tony Docherty, Derek McInnes and John McGlynn have been named on the shortlist for the Scottish Footballer Writers' Association manager of the year award.

It was Falkirk's McGlynn who walked away with the PFA prize last week after leading the Bairns to an invincible League 1-winning campaign, beating Kilmarnock's McInnes and Docherty of Dundee.

Rangers boss Clement is a new nominee, having taken over at Ibrox in October following the departure of Michael Beale.

The Belgian has hauled his side back into the title race, despite some stumbling in recent weeks, and also lifted the League Cup with victory over Aberdeen at Hampden in December.

Meanwhile, McInnes has taken Kilmarnock from the brink of relegation last term to guaranteed European football, with the Rugby Park side front runners to finish fourth in the Premiership.

His former assistant Docherty has enjoyed an impressive first season in the Dens Park hot seat, leading Dundee to the top six in their first season back in the top flight.

But their biggest challenge to claim the award may come from McGlynn, who has earned plenty of plaudits for finally ending Falkirk's miserable stay in the third tier and emphatically earning promotion to the Championship.

Rangers hold a "strong" interest in Levski Sofia defender Jose Cordoba as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract. (El Marcador via Daily Record), external

Read all of Thursday's Scottish Gossip

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Rangers will unveil of statue of legendary manager Walter Smith at Ibrox before the Scottish Cup final.

Smith won 10 league titles as Rangers manager, in addition to five Scottish Cups and Six League Cups.

"It is a poignant moment in the history of this great football club to unveil a statue of our legendary former manager, Walter Smith," chairman John Bennett said.

"The work consolidates the significance of the great man and the place he occupies in the storied history of Rangers Football Club."

The club say further details will be announced "in due course".