Rangers

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson has revealed he has not had "much dialogue" with Rangers about his future despite his contract as under-18s coach ending next week.

The 40-year-old, who spent three years with the club as a player, returned to Ibrox in his current role in February but has not yet been offered a new contract.

Thomson told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound it would be "brilliant" to stay on now that Russell Martin has been appointed head coach and the American consortium's takeover has been completed.

"I went back in the second week in February," he said. "We finished up the third in May.

"Obviously in that time there's been a takeover, a new manager. My contract's finished on 30 June.

"As of yet, I've not really had much dialogue with the club. I'm just waiting to see what's what."

Because of the uncertainty, former Kelty Hearts manager Thomson is open to other opportunities.

"Moving forward, if there's an opportunity there, then brilliant," he added. "If there's not, then you know what I'm like, I just bash on and keep grafting away."

Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons has agreed to move to Rangers on loan, with both clubs having signed all the documents and with formal steps to follow for the 25-year-old. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Max Aarons rejected approaches from Burnley and Leeds United, along with a host of Championship clubs, before agreeing to join Rangers on loan from Bournemouth. (The Boot Room), external

It was said on ERA sport that Rangers, AEK Athens and Cyriel Dessers have reached a full agreement for the 30-year-old striker to complete a transfer to the Greek club. (AEK Guy on X), external

Rangers are determined on keeping 22-year-old forward Hamza Igamane at the club beyond the summer transfer window despite interest from Everton and West Ham United. (Football Insider), external

Rangers could miss out on striker Dor Turgeman because Maccabi Tel Aviv may be reluctant to sell the 21-year-old, or will significantly raise the asking price, because of fears the rising conflict in the Middle East will make it more difficult for them to attract a replacement signing. (Sport 5 via Glasgow Times), external

Luka Jelenic has attracted interest from Rangers and Vitoria Guimaraes and Rangers, but there are no official offers yet for the 25-year-old centre-half who Osijek bought for £685,000 last season from Varazdin. (24sata via Croatian Football on X), external

Ianis Hagi, who has been linked with Genoa and Borussia Monchengladbach, has confirmed he is in talks with Polish club Legia Warsaw following the 26-year-old Romania midfielder's release by Rangers. (The National On Sunday), external

Wrexham and Stockport County are interested in Tom Lawrence following the 31-year-old midfielder's release by Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

A positive start is "imperative" for Russell Martin if he is to get patience as Rangers head coach, says former midfielder Kevin Thomson.

Friday's Scottish Premiership schedule reveal issued the new Ibrox boss with a tough introduction to his reign in Govan.

Following a Champions League second round qualifier against Panathinaikos, Martin's side will open their league campaign with a trip to Motherwell.

Rangers also face a trip to St Mirren and a home Old Firm derby in their first four Premiership games.

Thomson notes the "slight disgruntlement from the fans" following Martin's arrival, but the ex-Ibrox midfielder is backing the former Southampton boss to do a good job.

However, Thomson feels it is crucial the 39-year-old starts well.

"He's really articulate, really intelligent and presents himself well," Thomson said of Martin on BBC Sportsound.

"He suffered in the Premier League, no doubt, but I think he's going to do a good job. But he needs time. whether he will get time is anybody's guess.

"That's going to be dictated by the start. The start is imperative, it really is. I hope he gets some sort of affordability to bring his own players in to get off to a good start and do a good job."

We asked for your views on Rangers' Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 games.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: This is the great unknown going into first 10 games under a new manager that most of us are unsure about - I am anxious and not overly confident. It could be exhilarating and the start of a new era of success or it could become toxic ending in a total meltdown. Loyalty to the club says sitting on top on maximum points with a goal difference that speaks volumes of a team totally dominating Scottish football.

Sue: If the recruitment is right and Russell Martin instils a sense of belief and resolve into his team, then I fervently hope Rangers are on top after 10 games and creating headlines with scintillating football - the first Old Firm could be the acid test and a defining moment in Martin's stint as manager.

Jon: The manager's tactics and mentality will take up to the first 10 games for the team to be fully embracing the high press he wants, so for me if we are in second place but easily within touching distance of the league leaders I'll be happy. It's a long season with many twists and turns ahead.

Willie: I think there is so much apprehension regarding the new management team and the squad, however I'm really excited about the league (not so much about the Euro tie), but following the opening 10 I anticipate a 100% return and being five points clear of Hibs in second...

Image source, SNS

Russell Martin believes his Rangers squad will "look different" by the time he takes charge of his first game next month.

Former Ibrox defender Martin kicks off his tenure against Greek side Panathinaikos in the Champions League second qualifying round, with the first leg on 22-23 July.

"I think the squad will look different," the head coach, who has yet to make a signing, told Rangers TV.

"We will have some players in by then, so the earlier we can do that, the better, so they become ingrained in what we are trying to build culturally and in terms of performance.

"The players are back in on Monday, that's the most exciting bit. We will see what they can do, how we are going to have to adapt and tweak to make it really built-in and ready for us, and then the rest will take care of itself."

Rangers will kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign against Motherwell - led by Martin's former Norwich City team-mate Jens Berthel Askou - but the Ibrox boss' main focus for now is on Panathinaikos.

The Athens side were the highest ranked of the three unseeded teams in the league path of the Champions League draw.

"A lot of people said to me it's maybe the toughest draw we could have had, but we have to play against and beat good teams if we want to compete in European football," Martin added.

"It gives us something to work towards and look at them, but the focus is going to be on us and making sure we are ready to compete against anyone by the time the game comes around."

Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 season.

According to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and Motherwell.

As for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right?

Take a look below to see where your side places...

Image source, SNS

Aside from the first two games of the season, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.

Image source, SNS

See Rangers' full fixture list here

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Russell Martin expects John Souttar to be fit for the Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos after the defender had a "minor operation".

Souttar reportedly delayed the hernia surgery, external so he could feature for Scotland in their end-of-season friendly double-header. The 28-year-old started the defeat by against Iceland and was an unused substitute in the win over Liechtenstien.

Rangers host Panathinaikos in a second-round qualifier on 22-23 July, with the return leg in Greece the following week.

"John made a decision. He had a bit of minor injury, he wanted to go and play because he's desperate to play for his country which I admire," Martin told Sky Sports.

"So the plan was here, and everyone was aware of it, to get sorted after that so he has had a minor operation.

"We expect him to be fit for the Panathinaikos game so it hasn't really affected preparations."

Rangers open the league season with a trip to face Motherwell and Martin said: "It's [a win] really important for us, for the supporters, for the club, but also it's not going to define our season.

"So we have to make sure that we are ready to perform in the European game before that, we have to make sure we're then ready again to go.

"We have a lot of work to do physically and tactically. The players haven't even been in the building yet, they come back on Monday which I'm really excited about, but now we have something to really work towards and it's going to be great."

Motherwell's new boss Jens Berthel Askou is a former Norwich City team-mate of Martin.

"We've exchanged messages this morning," said Martin.

"Knowing Jens and how intense he was about his work as a player and how he is as a person, seriously professional, intelligent, he'll have them very well organised and prepared so we have to make sure we are ready for any challenge."

Image source, SNS

The first Old Firm derby of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season will be at Ibrox on Sunday, 31 August. Russell Martin's side host Celtic in a 12:00 BST kick-off.

Rangers travel to Celtic Park on Saturday, 3 January for the new year derby and the Glasgow rivals' final pre-split meeting is pencilled in for Saturday, 28 February.

What about the festive schedule? Rangers' last match before Christmas is away to Hearts on Saturday, 20 December then Martin's men round off 2025 with home games against Motherwell and St Mirren.

Rangers complete the pre-split campaign away to newly-promoted Falkirk on Saturday, 11 April.

Looking at the fixture list, where do you think Rangers will be after 10 games? Have your say here.

Image source, SNS

Russell Martin's first Scottish Premiership game as Rangers boss will be away to Motherwell.

The match will take place on Saturday, 2 August at 17:30 BST, with Rangers' first home fixture of the league season against Dundee on 9 August at 17:45.

See Rangers' Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.

Where do you think Rangers will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Share your views here.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers manager Russell Martin was "unlucky" to lose his previous job as Southampton manager despite being bottom off the Premier League, says Saints owner Dragan Solak.

Martin led Southampton into the top flight but was sacked in December following a 5-0 defeat by Tottenham, leaving them with just one win and a league-low of 11 goals.

However, in an interview with BBC Radio Solent, Solak revealed Martin could have still be in charge if VAR decisions taken "eight points off" his team.

"I really believe he was absolutely, fundamentally behind his idea of football and that is not easy in an environment like the Premier League that is so competitive," Solak said.

"But to give him credit we were quite unlucky, I don't even know how to characterise some of the VAR decisions that we had - but in my opinion VAR took eight points off Russell's team.

"If he had those eight points more in December I think he would probably manage the team through the whole season.

"I'm not saying we would stay in the league but we would have [had] a much more competitive run and Russell would definitely still be leading the team."

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you for your views after Rangers were drawn against Panathinaikos in their Champions League second-round qualifier.

Here's what some of you said:

Stephen: Probably the toughest one out of the three we could have got. Hopeful we can get through over the two games!

David: 22/23 July will be on us very quickly and we may well be playing this tie with essentially the same players as last season. All very quiet on transfer front. Panathinaikos' European record is not great, if we can play as we finished last season, I'm confident.

Ian: Difficult, but not impossible. Just highlights the urgency to get players in/out as soon as possible, otherwise it could be a long season for the players and a short one for Russell Martin.

Will: Too tough of a start, beyond this current squad. Welcome to Ibrox... Conference League beckoning.

Alexander: These early Euro fixtures often define a manager's tenure. If Martin manages to negotiate his way through this tie, he'll win a lot of his doubters over.

Ron: In all honesty we're not a Champions League team at the moment. Europa League is our best shot.

Bob: An early test for Martin. I hope he has 11 players by then. Would be more confident if Barry Ferguson was still in charge. Quick exit from Champions League anticipated.

Brian: Worst possible draw, especially with second leg away in Athens, but this will show the supporters what potentially lies ahead this season - more misery or a season of genuine chance of success. This challenge will demonstrate if the appointment of Martin was a shrewd move by the new board or another mistake.

Andrew: Biggest and best name drawn. Rangers shouldn't fear any of the teams they could have drawn, but this team will be set to draw the biggest crowd. Let's hope the team are fighting for and ready in time.

There has been no progress in talks between AEK Athens and Rangers for Cyriel Dessers, with the Ibrox club unwilling to accept the Greek club's offer of less than £3.85m for the 30-year-old Nigeria striker, but conversations continue. (Giannis Chorianopoulos on X), external

Rangers are holding out for a £5m fee for striker Cyriel Dessers, with AEK Athens hoping to pay around £3.8m for the 30-year-old Nigeria international. (Sport Time via Daily Record, external)

Aston Villa are preparing an official approach for midfielder Nicolas Raskin, but Rangers have placed a £25m valuation on the 24-year-old Belgium international who is also of interest to Leeds United and Ligue 1 clubs, including Marseille. (TeamTalk), external

Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Wrexham are considering signing 31-year-old Wales midfielder Tom Lawrence after his release by Rangers. (Daily Post via The Herald, external)

John Souttar has undergone surgery on an ongoing hernia issue, but the 28-year-old centre-half could miss Rangers' Champions League meeting with Panathinaikos next month after delaying the procedure to play Scotland's friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Former Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Egypt manager Rui Vitoria will lead Panathinaikos into their Champions League qualifier with Rangers.

The 55-year-old has won multiple league titles and cups in Portugal and took over the Athens side in October last year after their dismal start to the 2024-25 season.

The Portuguese coach led Panathinaikos to a second-placed finish the Greek top flight, but they finished 16 points off winners Olympiakos.

He also guided the team to the last 16 of the Conference League where they were dumped out over two legs by Serie A club Fiorentina.

Goalscoring proved an issue for Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League last term, netting 42 goals in 32 games, but Rangers will have to keep an eye on Brazilian winger Tete.

Mostly deployed on the right of attack in a 4-3-3 shape, the former Leicester and Lyon forward, who signed for reported £6.2m from Galatasaray last summer, scored 11 times.

That tally was matched by striker Fotis Ioannidis, who has six goals in 17 Greece caps, and Serbia forward Filip Djuricic.

Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri, a signing worth £5m from Manchester United last year, scored four and assisted five.

Although the goals did not necessarily flow, Vitoria's side were good at sharing them out.

Russell Martin's first assignment as Rangers boss will be a Champions League second-round qualifier against Panathinaikos.

The first leg will be played at Ibrox on 22-23 July, with the return in Greece the following week.

Swiss team Servette and Brann of Norway were Rangers' other potential opponents, but they have been paired with last season's Greek top flight runners-up.

The Athens side have never lost to Scottish opponents over 90 minutes in four meetings with Rangers, two with Motherwell and one with Aberdeen, winning four of their seven games.

However, it was Rangers who progressed when they last met the Ibrox side.

Having beaten Aberdeen 3-0 at home in the 2007-08 Uefa Cup group stage, the Greeks exited on away goals after a 0-0 stalemate in Glasgow was followed by a 1-1 draw in Athens in the round of 32.

Panathinaikos have not reached the Champions League proper since 2010-11 and last season started in Europa League qualifying, beating Botev Plovdiv but losing to Ajax before qualifying for the Conference League by defeating Lens.

They lost 4-1 at home to eventual winners Chelsea and beat The New Saints 2-0 in Wales in the new league stage, finishing 13th, before beating Vikingur Reykjavik in the knockout phase then losing to Fiorentina in the last 16.

Rangers fans, we want your thoughts on the draw. Are you confident of making it past Panathinaikos? Share your views here.