Turkish club Trabzonspor have reached "an agreement in principle" to sign midfielder John Lundstram when his Rangers contract expires at the end of the season. (beinsportsvia Scottish Sun, external)
Rangers are more likely to pursue a permanent move for Abdallah Sima than fellow loan forward Fabio Silva. (Football Insider), external
Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSRangers cannot become distracted by the ongoing Scottish Premiership title race, says manager Philippe Clement.
The Ibrox club trail Celtic by three points with five league games remaining, but Clement insists he is just thinking about Sunday's trip to Paisley to face St Mirren.
“I tell the [players to] win the next game," Clement said. "It’s the only way. Everybody who is busy with more games loses their focus.
“If we had a bad week you need the next game to be there. If you win then you need to win the next one also or it’s not good. If you don’t win you need to react in the next game. It’s as simple as that."
Rangers being in a title race looked unlikely at best when Clement replaced Michael Beale in the dugout earlier this season, and the Belgian believes they can take heart from that turnaround.
“If you look back at the last six months, we are the team that’s taken the most points," he said.
“We have four points more than Celtic in that period. We won the League Cup final, we also won against Hearts and they drew against Aberdeen.
“So I think everybody in the club would have signed for that six months ago. Nobody would have believed that would be possible. It’s now about repeating that again.
“It’s not a guarantee, but it’s something they have proven already and now they have to prove it again.”
We asked you which of Rangers' out-of-contract players you would be keen to keep at Ibrox.
Here's what some of you said:
Dougal: Let them all leave. I wouldn’t keep any of them.
Stewart: Keep John Lundstram, chase the rest.
Matthew: I would keep Leon Balogun. Ryan Jack has been a good servant when he's fit, but those days are few and far between. Lundstram's consistency is waning and if reports are to be believed his head has been turned elsewhere - the others I wouldn't keep on, as long as we can get at least one proven goalscorer who is far more consistent than Cyriel Dessers.
Cameron: Rangers need to let the old guard go and allow new blood to come in. The players out of contract have been great servants but Rangers need to focus on the next seven to eight years now.
Anon: Keep Balogun. Kemar Roofe and Jack are made of glass unfortunately. As for Lundstram he’s a good player but inconsistent and we badly need consistency. I’d break the bank to keep Jack Butland though, if there’s a better goalie in Britain I’d like to see them as he’s been great.
Ken: Keep Lundstram and let all the others go, with best wishes for their future.
Anon: Good servants they might have been, but time to say goodbye to Jack, Roofe and Jon McLaughlin. Lundstram still a reasonable age and might be worth keeping.
Elaine: We need huge change so I wouldn’t keep any of these players. If we can get money for James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ridvan Yilmaz and Ianis Hagi, I’d let them go too. That frees up huge amounts of wages.
Paul: Lundstram has to stay to help the transition but this Rangers side has needed an overhaul for years and this provides an opportunity. With the sale of some current players seemingly coming, it'll be an interesting pre-season at Ibrox.
Anon: We should keep Lundstram as he has had many crucial moments and Jack because he is a club legend.
Frazer: Lundstram and Balogun are a must for me. Lundstram has had his cards marked by a lot of fans, however he is one of the best midfielders in Scotland. Balogun is a solid defender and knows the league.
Steve: Some I'd love to keep, but they cannot stay fit, namely Jack and Roofe. They leave along with McLaughlin, Borna Barisic, probably Leon King although he's still developing. Any offer for Goldson I'd take, same with Scott Wright and Kieran Dowell. I'd offer Lundstram an extension.
Image source, SNSRangers manager Philippe Clement has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to St Mirren on Sunday.
Here are the best bits from his press conference:
Clement says the "only way" for his players to approach the run-in is to take things one game at a time, otherwise "you lose focus".
The Belgian stressed how impressive Rangers have been over the last six months to put themselves in the conversation for the title. "Six months ago, nobody thought it was possible."
Clement insists Connor Goldson was not dropped for the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hearts, saying "I have four really good centre-backs, it is about every game looking at who is in best shape at that moment".
Thinks the current league's current format with the split after game 33 is “not fair", because "one year you have more home games and one year you have less home games".
Clement suggested either a smaller league where teams play each other four teams, or an expanded league where teams play each other twice. Stressed that an expanded league would have to retain the current standard.
Clement expects James Tavernier and Goldson - both linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this week - to remain at Rangers next season.
Midfielder John Lundstram, who is out of contract in the summer, has been offered a new deal but no agreement has yet been reached.
Abdallah Sima will miss the next two weeks through injury, but Clement says the Brighton loanee is "very motivated" to feature again this season. Rabbi Matondo is also doubtful for the game, but Ridvan Yilmaz and Ryan Jack are expected to return to training next week.
Jack Butland has shown his worth for Rangers this season.
The 30-year-old has had 18 clean sheets in the Premiership alone - including three in their three straight wins over Sunday's hosts, St Mirren - which is at least four more than any other goalkeeper.
It is the most by a Rangers number one in the top flight since Allan McGregor in the 2010-11 season and has brought the Englishman to the attention of national manager Gareth Southgate.
One more would take him past the former Scotland keeper and this weekend would be the ideal time to do so as Rangers visit the fifth-top Buddies looking to go level on points with Celtic before the leaders visit Dundee later in the afternoon.
After Rangers dropped points at Dens Park, their mood was improved somewhat by the Scottish Cup defeat of Hearts - their latest game without conceding.
However, following a run of only three victories in nine outings in all competitions, Rangers find themselves playing catch-up. They need Celtic to slip up and cannot afford any more of their own.
A third clean sheet in a row for Butland would help put the pressure back on the champions, even if recent history suggests a routine win considering Dundee have not beaten Celtic in 42 meetings and have lost the latest nine, including three this season by an aggregate of 11-1.
Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell tells the BBC's Scottish football podcast a strong response is required from Philippe Clement's side away to St Mirren on Sunday after two "hugely damaging results" against Ross County and Dundee dealt a massive blow to their title bid.
Rangers are already in talks with summer transfer targets and have had a number of good conversations with active targets, according to director of football operations Creag Robertson. (The Herald), external
James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have been "superb signings" for Rangers, says former Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson, but the pair, linked with summer moves to Saudi Arabia, will be "annoyed that they haven't won more trophies". (Daily Record), external
Rangers chief executive James Bisgrove has revealed both Ibrox and Celtic Park require stadium modifications to host Old Firm derbies before the five percent away allocation comes into force next season. (Glasgow Times), external
Rangers head of academy Zeb Jacobs has agreed to take up the same role with Feyenoord after the 28-year-old rejected an offer from Manchester City. (1908.nl, external - in Dutch)
Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.
Rangers have a handful of experienced heads out of deals, including John Lundstram, Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe and Jon McLaughlin.
Who would you like to keep at Ibrox, and who would you happily wave goodbye to? Have your say here.
Image source, BBC/SNS St Mirren have lost 18 of the last 19 top-flight meetings with Rangers since a 2-1 win in December 2011.
Rangers have won eight of their last nine league trips to St Mirren (D1), keeping seven clean sheets in the process.
St Mirren have lost three of their last four league games (D1), including both of their last two; only from November-December have they lost three in a row in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Rangers have only won one of their last five league games (D2 L2), this after winning nine in a row beforehand. The Ibrox side are winless in three Scottish Premiership matches (D2 L1), last going four without a win in the competition in February 2017.
Rangers' Jack Butland has recorded 18 clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership this season, at least four more than any other goalkeeper, and the most by an Ibrox shot-stopper in the top flight since Allan McGregor in 2010-11 (also 18).
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq are ready to launch an offer to bring 32-year-old Ibrox captain and right-back James Tavernier to the Saudi Arabian club this summer. (Slaati via TeamTalk, external)
Steven Gerrard is closely monitoring Connor Goldson's situation at Rangers as the Al-Ettifaq head coach mulls over a possible double swoop on his former club for the 31-year-old centre-half and right-back James Tavernier. (Daily Record), external
Trabszonspor are making progress in their bid to sign Rangers left-back Borna Barisic and midfielder John Lundstram, according to reports in Turkey. (The Scotsman), external
Rangers are keeping close tabs on St Mirren teenager Ethan Sutherland, who has been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea after the Premier League duo recently sent scouts to watch the 17-year-old as he impressed on the wing and at left-back on loan to Alloa Athletic. (Football Insider), external
Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes has finally started a game for Cruzeiro two-and-a-half months after the 25-year-old Ecuador international joined the Brazilian club on loan. (The Herald), external
Rangers could be set to lose their academy director, Zeb Jacobs, to Feyenoord. (The Herald), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNS
Rangers look to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership as they head to St Mirren in the first round of post-split fixtures.
Would you make any changes from the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hearts?
Put yourself in Philippe Clement's shoes and pick your Rangers XI here.
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland
After failing to win any of their last three league matches, we’re about to find out just how credible Rangers’ title aspirations are this term.
Two points from nine simply won’t do at this stage of the season and has surely squeezed any wriggle room for the Ibrox men down to zero. They are back to winning ways though and will hope that booking their place in the Scottish Cup final next month gives them a big shot in the arm for the title run-in.
To keep their Premiership hopes afloat they simply need to keep winning, starting at St Mirren on Sunday.
Some fans were confidently talking about a treble after nine consecutive league wins through January and February. Rangers haven’t won back-to-back games since. How quickly the winds can change.
Another failure to win will also dredge up some unwanted memories and comparisons. The Ibrox side haven’t gone four league matches without winning since February 2017, when defeat to Hearts and a home draw with Ross County brought the Mark Warburton era to a close, before his stand-in Graeme Murty then lost at Dundee and Inverness.
Leaking goals had been a bit of an issue, with three goals conceded against both Celtic and Ross County.
However, that's been fixed in the past couple of matches. Centre-back Leon Balogun was brought back into the side in Sunday’s semi-final; it’ll be interesting to see if he keeps Connor Goldson out of the team once again.
Rangers haven’t yet run aground in the push for the Premiership but those rocks are dangerously close.
A win in Paisley would go a long way to relaunching their title tilt. What Rangers certainly can’t afford to do is let rivals Celtic head to Dens Park later that afternoon with an extra spring in their step.
Rangers defender Connor Goldson turned down an approach to represent Jamaica in 2021. (Herald - subscription), external
Leon Balogun believes Rangers team-mate Goldson "doesn't always get the credit he deserves". (Sun), external
Balogun hopes he can get a new contract at Rangers after returning to the starting line-up in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hearts. (Record), external
There have been no talks between Rangers and Balogun over a new deal as yet. (Scotsman - subscription), external
Mark Atkinson, sports editor of The Scotsman, reckons Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers should have been named in PFA Scotland's team of the year.
Jamie Currie
Fan writer
It's not been a good week for the players and fans who don the blue of Rangers. Following up the Ross County debacle with a pitiful stalemate at Dundee has seen our title hopes fade - or if you are super optimistic unlike myself, it just makes things a little harder than they needed to or could have been.
However, moving on to the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts. I felt 2-0 flattered Steven Naismith's side, in all honesty. Rangers looked solid for the most part, with Leon Balogun returning to the back four.
John Souttar almost sold two goals but was bailed out by a combination of good saves and poor decision-making from Hearts. I know Connor Goldson has not been at his best in recent weeks, but I would have him and Balogun in the centre of defence between now and the end of the season.
Furthermore, the midfield functioned far better with Mohamed Diomande in there. He is everything Kieran Dowell and Tom Lawrence aren't in that deeper position next to John Lundstram. He's quick, has energy and knows when to sit behind the ball and when to get beyond.
Also, I felt Todd Cantwell had a good game on and off the ball. And you can't not mention Cyriel Dessers; the guy frustrates you so much at times but on Sunday he came up with the goods. It helped the team get a much-needed win and gave us another cup final to look forward to in May.
Looking forward to Sunday and the remaining five league matches, it's pretty much 15 points or bust at this juncture. Hopefully we will have Abdallah Sima for the trip to St Mirren and be able to start the split with three points and a good performance.
One game at a time.
Image source, SNSMohamed Diomande remains hopeful Rangers are still in for a memorable season after Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final win kept their treble dream alive.
Having already won the League Cup, the Ibrox side will return to Hampden next month to face Celtic and are also aiming to chase down their rivals in the league.
"It could be [a fantastic season]," Diomande said in the aftermath of Rangers' 2-0 win against Hearts on Sunday.
"We have six games to go and I’m happy we are in the final. We haven't found our levels in the last couple of weeks, but we needed to push [on Sunday] to reach them.
"We had been on a good run but the past couple of games were not been good. It’s good to be winning again and having the confidence. We will go one game at a time.
"I’m going to do everything I can to help my team. I know they are also pushing, my team-mates and the coaching staff."
May's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers could be scheduled at the same time as the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United. The Scottish FA are inclined not to move the kick-off to avoid a repeat of the row that followed delaying last season's cup final, when winners Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle started after City beat United at Wembley. (Record), external
Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers has scored more goals so far this season than Celtic counterpart Kyogo Furuhashi but former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd points out Kyogo has "done it in big games". (Sun), external
Image source, SNSFormer Rangers defender Richard Foster says that the result was all that mattered after Philippe Clement's side beat Hearts 2-0 to set up a Scottish Cup final against Celtic.
Cyriel Dessers scored either side of half-time to end Rangers' three-game winless run and keep their hopes of a domestic treble alive.
"Quarter-finals and semi-finals of cups, who cares [how you play]?," Foster told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"If Rangers go on to lift the trophy, no one will talk about a game that they scraped through.
"You want your team to perform at a high level consistently in a league campaign, but in the cup, it's all about getting into the next round.
"They did deserve to go through, but it was hugely important, because the pressure that losing today heaps on them would have been astronomical."
Foster also believes the result can help Clement's side move on from their recent league slump and challenge Celtic for the title.
"In terms of the performance [against Hearts], that was huge," Foster added. "They were okay against Dundee but Ross County were the better side. Ross County outplayed Rangers and that shouldn't be happening.
"They rectified that somewhat but they've still got to catch Celtic. They've now got five games in the league and the cup final to go.
"It could still be a hugely successful season for Rangers and they've got to try and get themselves back into the groove after this performance and result."
Listen to the full episode of the podcast here.
Image source, SNSHaving dispatched Hearts in the last four of the Scottish Cup, Todd Cantwell says Rangers have "finals in every game" between now and the end of the season.
Victory at Hampden on Sunday, during which Cantwell was a standout, sets up an Old Firm showdown back at the national stadium next month.
But before then, the Ibrox side have five league games which will determine whether they can wrestle top spot off Celtic, who are currently three points clear.
"We have finals every game now and we have to win every one of them," midfielder Cantwell told RangersTV. "If we do then we will be in a good place at the end of it.
“We started well [on Sunday], the early goal helped. No team will turn down an early goal as it puts you in a good position and it steadied us a little bit.
“We had a tough week, so to start well was great, and in the first half we were pretty dominant.
“Hearts are a good side and they had a little spell in the second half, but we showed our quality in certain moments."
