‘Made me squirm’ – BBC Pundit delivers Rangers verdict following recent remarks made by SPFL rivals’ chief

Ryan Stevenson is of the opinion that Hearts are not any closer to challenging the Rangers and Celtic duopoly in Scotland.

The BBC pundit responded to comments made by Hearts’ Chief Executive Andrew McKinlay in an interview with the Daily Record on October 10.

The Tynecastle chief recently disclosed a novel analytics instrument that he asserts will enable his team to reduce the disparity between the two Old Firm teams.

Stevenson stated, “If you are in Aberdeen’s current position, it is advantageous to anticipate obstacles to the Old Firm in the future.” However, the truth is that Hearts are currently moving in a single direction. And that brings us back to the Championship.

“I recently reviewed Andrew McKinlay’s most recent statements regarding his optimism that Tynecastle’s new analytics tool will elevate them to a position where they may be able to challenge for the title.” I must admit that it caused me to feel uneasy. It is as though the chief executive is unaware of the gravity of the situation at this moment.

“Listen, Brighton’s utilization of data and analytics is truly remarkable.” However, it is impossible to discuss the possibility of dividing the Old Firm in the future when we have only earned two points from eight league games.

“McKinlay and his board should devote their entire attention to ensuring that the subsequent managerial appointment is executed flawlessly following the termination of Steven Naismith.” If they do not, no supercomputer in the world will have them in close proximity to Celtic or Rangers.

Rangers must adopt a more data-driven strategy.

It is simpler to say than to do to break the duopoly, as the financial disparity is immense. The Old Firm sides have larger fanbases, commercial operations, and revenue streams from European competitions, which analytics alone cannot instantaneously reconcile.

The Old Firm’s cultural legacy and large fanbase provide a consistent influx of resources and talent, which makes it more difficult for clubs like Hearts to consistently attract top-tier players or managers without a significant change in the economic landscape of Scottish football.

Rangers could potentially improve their performance efficacy by refining their recruitment and tactical strategies through the implementation of a more data-driven approach.

Nevertheless, this necessitates not only an investment in analytics but also a cultural transformation within the organization to incorporate data-driven decisions into all aspects of operations.

It is necessary to make a significant effort to transition to a more data-centric approach, as the Ibrox organization has not been well-managed for years.

Rangers fans at Ibrox

It is our hope that the club will prioritize this transformation as a result of the backroom restructuring.

Clement says that Rangers will get a £6 million help from Auchenhowie as they try to win the title

Since moving to Rangers for £6 million from Feyenoord last summer, Danilo hasn’t been able to get a break.

They spent a lot of money to get the Brazilian hitman to Ibrox, but the scorer has since hurt himself three times, so the hitman hasn’t played much since then.

First, Danilo was greeted quickly by Scottish football fans when he broke his face in a goal-scoring clash against St. Johnstone.

The striker then hurt his knee badly in December. The ex-Ajax forward, who is now a naturalized Dutch citizen, will not be able to play until the start of this season.

But just as Danilo was getting back to his best—he scored in the 6-0 win over Ross County—he was once again pushed back.

This new knee injury was thought to be so bad that Danilo was not allowed to play for Rangers in the Europa League.

Now, Philippe Clement is looking forward to having the striker back in training. But can the samba star convince Rangers fans that he has what it takes to lead them to victory this season?

Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

Danilo is going to train at Auchenhowie again.

Philippe Clement has stated that Danilo will be back in training with the first team when the club comes back from the international break.

Rangers boss was going over the news that Oscar Cortes will be out for a while because of an injury he got in training.

But Danilo and Ridvan Yilmaz, who hasn’t been seen since Dynamo Kyiv beat them in the Champions League, are “expected” to return to Auchenhowie in the next two weeks.

“When we train, I hope to have Danilo and Ridvan Yilmaz,” Clement said.

Danilo had played twice for Rangers this season before he hurt his knee again, which has kept him out since the beginning of September.

People are worried about Danilo’s return, but Rangers needs a solid scorer at the top of the field badly because their front line is becoming less stable.

Rangers need more from their £6 million striker.

This season, the Rangers’ strikers have been criticized again and again.

Cyriel Dessers got off to a good start this season and has scored seven goals so far, but he hasn’t scored in his last four games.

Because of this, Dessers was not picked for the Nigeria national team. He looked very angry when he was taken off against St. Johnstone at Ibrox.

There is also a talented Moroccan striker named Hamza Igamane that plays for Rangers. He is 21 years old and has yet to score a goal for the club.

Rangers really need to find a solid way to score goals at the top of the pitch, especially since players from wide areas don’t always play well.

Since Danilo cost £6 million, there is pressure on the unlucky hitman to get off to a fast start and start paying back the transfer fee at Rangers.

The club is worried about the striker’s ongoing injury problems, so it’s still not clear when the killer will be able to play at Ibrox.

Let’s hope that the October international break means the end of Danilo’s terrible injury luck with Rangers and that the striker can get back to playing soon.

Michael Stewart criticizes the Rangers man who was dissatisfied with Clement’s actions during the match against St. Johnstone

Cyriel Dessers’ reaction following his substitution during Rangers’ victory over St Johnstone on Sunday (6 October) has been denounced by Michael Stewart.

However, the 29-year-old was comparatively ineffectual at Ibrox, touching the ball only 12 times. He wasted an early opportunity to send the Gers ahead by blazing over the crossbar from a corner.

Philippe Clement replaced him with 21-year-old Hamza Igamane after only an hour, and the striker vented his frustration on the sideline after departing the field early in the 2-0 victory.

Stewart stated in a live interview with Premier Sports on October 6, at 9:18 p.m., that “Dessers has not been at his best tonight.” He is not particularly delighted with his dismissal; however, his team is currently leading by 2-0.

He has made a difference when you observe Hagi coming on. You are in search of individuals who are willing to take action in order to activate the door. Cerny has scored two goals, and Hagi assists on the second.

“You desire these players in the final third to generate opportunities and execute plays that result in goals.” It is a source of frustration. He is self-aware.

Cyriel Dessers had an off-target shot in Rangers’ victory over St. Johnstone.

Although Vaclav Cerny ensured that the Gers had no misgivings in their 2-0 victory over the Saints, no striker wishes to depart the field without rectifying an early error.

Although the forward has already scored seven goals in all competitions this term and has scored 22 goals in his first season in Scotland, he continues to receive criticism.

Dessers’ manager will appreciate the dedication and determination demonstrated in the off-the-pitch tirade, despite the fact that some, such as Stewart, may not be fond of his reaction to being substituted. He aspires to contribute to the team by scoring.

Cyriel Dessers scored 22 goals in all competitions during his first season at Rangers

Dessers was linked with a move away during the summer transfer window, and a number of strikers were linked with an Ibrox transition. However, supporters were frustrated by his decision to remain in Glasgow.

Nevertheless, it appears that his initial performances this season have swayed the opinions of a significant number of admirers, and he will undoubtedly be prepared to rectify his errors in the upcoming match.

‘Sacking Offence’ – Keown: Clement survives at Rangers while perception is shattered

According to Gary Keown, if Philippe Clement had not taken over a “shambles” Rangers club from Michael Beale, the team’s defeats against Ross County and Dundee last season would have resulted in dismissal.

The Belgian’s future has been under intense examination since the 3-0 defeat to Celtic on September 1, but despite a lack of faith from fans and commentators alike, he seems to be safe for the time being.

On October 6, Keown wrote for the Daily Mail that Clement’s recent results had shattered the notion of his ability to lead the Gers this season.

“Bearing that in mind, Clement ought to be careful about obsessing over meetings between clubs with budgets ‘in a different world’, as he puts it,” stated the author.

“Lest the Ibrox crowd break out of their self-protective lethargy and start reminiscing on how losing to Motherwell and Ross County, as well as drawing at Dundee, wrecked last season’s championship chances.

“If Clement hadn’t inherited a wreck from the best-forgotten Michael Beale, his performances last season would have been grounds for dismissal.

“His lasting problem from those dreadful performances, however, is that they shattered the perception that he was a safe pair of hands behind the wheel – calm, sensible, and with a clear vision of where Rangers needed to go.” He has never recovered from this spell.”

Philippe Clement needs reinforcements in January.

So far, the Rangers’ season has been everything but smooth. While the team is now third in the Scottish Premiership, it is still a long way from where they want to be at the conclusion of the season.

Many players were signed throughout the summer, although the window was mostly underwhelming.

Not all of Clement’s new players have felt like they’ve made a significant contribution to the squad, as the Belgian seems to be sticking with the same set of players from the previous season.

For example, James Tavernier’s name has come up repeatedly this season, both in terms of departures and performances.

Rangers captain James Tavernier divides opinion [Credit: Imago]

In the Gers’ 4-1 defeat to Lyon on October 3, the right-back was hooked after an hour, leading Keown to believe his time with the club was done.

Although the January transfer market is still a little away, John Gilligan’s statement to Sky Sports on September 24th suggests that Clement may be looking to strengthen his squad.

Clement is criticized by Murray for his ‘contradictory’ response to the Four Lads query following the Rangers’ loss

Philippe Clement has been criticized by Ewan Murray for his “contradictory” response to a query from Four Lads following Rangers’ defeat to Lyon.

Murray took to X on October 3 to criticize the Gers’ manager for his response to the fan group’s concerns regarding his team’s ability to absorb teams on the break. This followed the Ligue 1 team’s 4-1 victory at Ibrox in the Europa League.

The Guardian journalist further stated that fan media is “misbranded,” which results in it being subjected to criticism.

Murray’s post disclosed that “‘Fan media’ is subjected to criticism.” Unfairly, in my view, due to its incorrect branding.

“Philippe Clement was asked a question by Four Lads Had a Dream tonight that I believed was particularly compelling regarding the Rangers’ inability to manage teams that betray them.”

“What is the response?” Contradictory, unconvincing, and informative.

In their loss, the Rangers are unable to contain Lyon.

Clement was unable to rally his Rangers team from a 3-1 deficit at the interval at Ibrox, despite the fact that they generated numerous opportunities and had a significant amount of possession in the first half.

Alexandre Lacazette, an experienced striker, was able to demonstrate his shooting prowess, which was a rarity among the Gers players. Lyon, on the other hand, made numerous hazardous breaks, and Clement’s team was unable to contain them.

Corentin Tolisso, the visiting midfielder, attempted to downplay the Light Blues manager’s assertion that the teams were not on an equitable playing field prior to the game. However, the outcome of the match was entirely different.

“Fan media” gets a hard time. Unfairly, IMO because it’s wrongly branded.

Tonight @4ladshadadream asked Philippe Clement what I thought was a really strong question about Rangers’ inability to cope with teams breaking on them.

Answer? Unconvincing, contradictory, telling.

— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) October 3, 2024

It was almost as if Clement’s remarks were imposed as an insurance policy in the event that a result such as this occurred. Rangers fans would not have been held accountable for viewing the comments and feeling uninspired by them.

The Gers did commit men forward and give it a go, in contrast to the perspective conveyed to the media, which cited the amount of money Lyon have spent in comparison. However, they were thoroughly picked off, and the four-match winning streak comes to a cruel end ahead of St. Johnstone’s visit on Sunday.

Clement provides an explanation of the resolution of the Hagi “contract issue” as the head of Gers discloses a true tale

Philippe Clement knew that he still had a few problematic positions to cover when the transfer window closed, but the Rangers manager has observed an improvement in one of them.

The right-wing depth has increased once more, following the late departure of Scott Wright, who resulted in a decrease in numbers. This is due to the news that Ianis Hagi is back in first-team training.

The manager is delighted to have an individual with such extensive experience and talent back in his squad. The Ibrox faithful will be pleased that a substantial salary is no longer being squandered on a weekly basis and that a difference-maker is once again at their disposal.

Philippe Clement provides an explanation for Ianis Hagi’s return to the Rangers.

Clement has shared his initial views on the summer saga in advance of the Europa League match against Lyon, with Hagi not included in the squad.

“The matter has been resolved, as it was a contractual matter that existed prior to my tenure.” Hagi and the club have reconciled the matter.

“It is normal for him to be back in the squad training, and the objective is to restore him to his peak performance. This is the responsibility.”

“Yes, it is not yet an option; however, there is a solution.” The more individuals you can have to make a difference, the better you are as a gaffer. I am evidently pleased that this situation, which I objected to, has been resolved.

“He has consistently exhibited commendable behavior; our interactions have been consistently positive.” There was never a dispute between us; we encountered each other frequently in the building. His actions were consistent with those of a professional athlete. It is not always the case in those situations, but he has certainly served as an example in that regard.

The Gers’ manager responded, “Hagi is immediately available.”

“That is not the case; he has only trained once.” In order to maintain his endurance at the highest level, he trained continuously with the second team and during competitions. We will observe the outcome over the course of the upcoming days and weeks. It pertains to the competition for positions within the crew and the team.

🎙️ Philippe Clement spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Lyon in the Europa League.

🎟️ https://t.co/hPrmaQ0xGj pic.twitter.com/v29FZNXi1Y

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 2, 2024

The timeliness of Hagi’s return to the squad is impeccable.

Hagi may have only been playing for the B team; however, he should not be far behind in terms of preparedness.

He has been on international duty and, as Clement asserts, has maintained a professional demeanor throughout the standoff.

The B team fixture list is inconsistent, and the 25-year-old playmaker will need to progressively reestablish himself, even if he played 90 minutes in the most recent game.

His arrival could not have been more timely, as both Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes are currently injured and Tom Lawrence is in need of a break.

Clement consistently appeared to be exerting pressure as the individual responsible for Hagi’s absence, asserting that he did not perceive a future for the mercurial attacker within his team.

Rather, it appears that the reported £6,000 per week clause was the impediment, and that he was attempting to safeguard the player.

It is our expectation that Hagi will be able to immediately resume his scoring streak and achieve the same level of success as the Welshman has in recent weeks upon his return.

Done Deal: Rangers teenage loanee makes out-of-window transfer to join British team

The Scottish League Two team Bonnyrigg Rose has revealed that Grieg Allen, a young defender for Rangers, completed a loan deal to join them.

Using their official website, the Ibrox team revealed on September 30 that the 19-year-old has gone until the end of the season.

Originally from Hearts, the centre-back returned to Ibrox back in 2021 and will now be aiming to get first-team experience.

Rangers wise in their choice to send Grieg Allen to Bonnyrigg Rose

Allen’s loan to Bonnyrigg is essential for his growth as it gives him the chance to play first-team football in a competitive setting, which is essentially different from attending B Team games.

Teenagers in Scottish League Two will be exposed to the tactical subtleties and stresses of senior football, which are often not reflected at the junior or reserve levels.

For young defenders like Allen, this real-game experience is priceless as it quickens their learning curve and facilitates their adaptation to the pace and intensity of professional games.

Furthermore, he will probably play often at Bonnyrigg Rose, which is very vital for his development as a player.

By means of frequent reports from the Bonnyrigg management, or even a loan manager, this action also guarantees that Rangers can carefully track his development and provide personal comments on his performance.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement [Credit: Imago]

Should he perform especially, Philippe Clement can additionally ask for reports to be sent to him to monitor development.

“No moping”: Huge vote of confidence for Rangers man following Ibrox Celtic incident

The goalkeeper was impressed by the captain’s integrity following the Old Firm abuse.

After the Rangers captain was recently compelled to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, Jack Butland supported the “unflappable” James Tavernier.

Following the 3-0 William Hill Premiership loss at Celtic Park at the beginning of the month, the full-back bore the brunt of the supporters’ ire. Tavernier, who joined the club from Wigan in 2015, was accosted by a vengeful supporter outside Ibrox later in the day as he made his way to his vehicle. The disagreeable exchange was captured on social media.

Rangers have since rebounded with three consecutive victories, and Tavernier contributed to the team’s most impressive performance of the season, a 2-0 Europa League victory over Malmo in Sweden on Thursday.

Butland provided Tavernier with unwavering support, asserting that “He is an individual who consistently asserts himself.” However, it is a challenging task to undertake as the captain of a football organization of this nature. What he has consistently accomplished year after year, game after game, is to persevere through the most challenging circumstances.

“We have observed and documented some of the circumstances to which he has been subjected.” But to return and continue to perform for us, to place the team on his shoulders with the penalties, with his play in general, and with his actions around the team, is an essential component of being the captain of this football club.

“I am unable to fathom the challenges he faces on a daily basis; however, he is able to perform.” He continues to assist us and guide us, and he continues to return. He has been living it for an extended period of time. However, it must be as effortless as water off a duck’s back. The worst course of action is to follow up on those disasters with another defeat.

“You must pick yourself up and begin again.” That is the essence of this football club, and that is what Tav does. So for us to observe that, for him to persist in his role as a smiling visage in the changing room, setting standards and pushing forward, if he were to reverse course with us, it would be extremely challenging for everyone else.

“Tav is a character who is exceedingly resilient.” He undergoes minimal transformation on a daily basis. He is aware of the obligations that come with donning the insignia and armband. It would be detrimental to all parties involved if he were to arrive and spend the entire time moping. So that serves as a testament to his abilities.

“We must continue to provide him with the necessary support; he will continue to experience significant moments in this football club.” We have substantial objectives for this season, and he is consistently an integral component of that.

Ibrox view: Rangers evaluations against Malmo: New man abysmal (2/10), MOTM extraordinary (9/10)

Rangers began their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Malmo, a match that could have been much more comfortable.

Nedim Bajrami scored within one minute for the Light Blues, after Cyriel Dessers had grasped onto a back-pass and struck the post. Vaclav Cerny subsequently squandered a guilt-edged opportunity to double the lead when the Albanian was played through.

The visitors had numerous opportunities to score in a strong first half and should have been beyond reach. Dessers missed another excellent opportunity in the final minutes, and Ross McCausland finally scored the second in the 76th minute by pouncing on another loose ball just outside the box and firing low off the near post.

Ibrox News evaluates the Rangers players on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their performances in Sweden.

Jack Butland – six

For the most part, a spectator. He nearly committed a similar error to the one that the Rangers exploited during his initial involvement, but he was subsequently unable to contribute significantly. Appointed for time-wasting in what may have been his most significant accomplishment.

James Tavernier – four

Not particularly impressive. He appeared vulnerable to Hugo Bolin’s dashes in the back and was generally occupied with the winger. In fact, his defensive performance deteriorated as the game progressed.It was a common occurrence for him to appear more appealing when he was facing forward rather than moving back toward his own goal.Stopped one significant threat immediately following the break by issuing a critical challenge to Anders Christiansen.

Robin Propper – six

Enhanced. His performances were not particularly noteworthy, which may have contributed to his initial disappointment. However, the fact that his evening was relatively uneventful is definitely a positive.After the break, he committed a number of perilous infractions; however, he eventually appeared to be more in control under duress in the final minutes.Certainly a foundation upon which to expand.

John Souttar – seven

In the initial 45 minutes, the defense maintained a largely consistent level of play; however, they were not subjected to an excessive amount of duress. He can appear to be urgently clinging on when the pressure is cranked up, but he matched the hosts as they threatened more after the interval and made a number of crucial clearing clearances.

Rangers winger Ross McCausland scored off the bench [Credit: Imago]

Neraysho Kasanwirjo makes a strong debut for the Rangers.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo – seven

Gers’ début on the left was bolstered by Jefte’s suspension, as he advanced to facilitate attacking play and demonstrated a strong tackle.Although not a natural match for the position of left-back, he appeared to be an accomplished all-round player and was dependable defensively.. Bajrami’s exceptional performance should have resulted in a late goal.

Connor Barron – seven

In the initial period, the team executed another high-energy passing display; however, it experienced a decline after the break and was able to circumvent the defense too easily in the middle as the hosts increased their pressure.He successfully reintegrated into the game by entering the game from a deeper position, despite the Rangers maintaining their lead.

Mohamed Diomande – seven

Significant, combative demonstration. The performance was inconsistent at times, and possession was occasionally lost during the first half; however, it was generally satisfactory. A few crucial defensive interventions, as well as some impressive turns and passes on the ball, were made in the final minutes. He maintained a clean sheet after the interval, despite being under duress from a soft early yellow.

Nedim Bajrami – 9 (Match of the Match)

In a game in which he generated numerous powerful opportunities and consistently placed Malmo on the defensive, he was highly remarkable. A perfect opportunity to establish his Rangers account was presented to him, and he could not have missed it. As well, he should have had at least three assists when he found Cerny with a perfectly-timed through-ball. Dessers squandered Lanother opportunity after the interval, and Kasanwirjo even later. Despite the fact that he overplayed himself when he should have had a second on a well-executed move, the rapport with Dessers appears to be exceptional. It could be argued that the player’s strength increased as the game progressed.

Mohamed Diomande was heavily involved in the Rangers midfield

Mohamed Diomande held a significant role in the Rangers midfield.

In Malmo, Cyriel Dessers effectively complements Nedim Bajrami.

Tom Lawrence (absent for Raskin ’80) – five

It is excessively silent. He was placed on the perimeter of the box in Dessers, a position that was both hazardous and simple to mistake. Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity midway through the first half.Within an hour, a ball played barely behind him by Cerny skewed a reasonable opportunity way over.

Vaclav Cerny (absent for McCausland ’69) – 2

A difficult night. The first half was disappointing, as he was easily pushed off the ball and lost possession on numerous occasions. He then capped the half off with a dreadful squandered opportunity, curling wide after being played clear through by Bajrami for a chance he had to take.Although not the sole individual to squander an opportunity, their performance was by far the most subpar.

Cyriel Dessers – seven

The finest and the worst of Dessers.Ultimately, the performance of the strong away striker in Europe was necessary due to the absence of Hamza Igamane, who was available off the bench. However, the performance could have been significantly better. His contribution was instrumental in the development of numerous opportunities; however, it is likely that he should have scored a hat-trick. Prior to a poor miss in the second half, he overcomplicated on one occasion when he was well-placed on the outskirts of the box, and the opener should have been his after clever work to steal the stray ball and round the keeper. Additionally, the combination work with Bajrami was a very encouraging indication, and he had a decent penalty cry disregarded when his shirt was wrestled off him.

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers had a good game but should have scored at least twice [Credit: Imago].

Substitutions

Ross McCausland (on for Cerny ’69) – 8

The optimal impact off the stool. He took it upon himself to create and convert a solitary opportunity when his colleagues were collaborating to generate and squander opportunity after opportunity.

Nico Raskin (on for Lawrence ’80) – six

Late introduction to assist in the defense of the lead.

Dujon Sterling (on for Bajrami ’84) – six

Assisted in alleviating some of the stress during his brief time on the field.