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Philippe Clement expressed his dissatisfaction with the Rangers’ manager regarding the passport disarray involving Hamza Igamane
The Moroccan attacker was unable to reach the Malmo roster due to an impediment.
Philippe Clement maintains that he was “not pleased” with Hamza Igamane’s decision to skip this evening’s match against Malmo due to passport complications.
Despite the fact that his team secured a 2-0 victory over their Europa League opponents in Sweden, the Moroccan was unable to travel with the squad due to complications with his travel documents. He was compelled to remain at home. The goals were scored by Nedim Bajrami and Ross McCausland. Despite the comparatively convincing victory for the Ibrox team, the manager was still unsatisfied with Igamane’s issues.
And he elaborated on how it was a source of frustration that he did not require in the lead-up to what was anticipated to be a challenging match. He then disclosed that he intended to concentrate on the advantages of the victory.
“I was not satisfied with that, it was evident,” Clement stated to TNT. “There were issues with his passport so those are situations you don’t want to face as a manager but I want to focus on the football and the good things of this day.”
Clement was satisfied with his team’s performance against formidable opponents; however, he concedes that he would have preferred to witness them eliminate their opponents, given the numerous opportunities they generated.
He further stated, “The sole minor point you can make is that the game is distinct if you terminate it in the first half.” However, I believe that they played an exceptional game today, and we will persist in our efforts to complete the task. What is the most noteworthy performance of the season thus far? Indeed, I believe so. However, this does not guarantee that it will remain the finest; I believe that we must endeavor to improve our work.
“Offside”: Tam McManus criticizes the Rangers ticket situation in light of their actions
Rangers’ decision to keep Hibernian supporters waiting for ticket information before to their Sunday (September 29) match has drawn criticism from Tam McManus.
After the stadium’s renovation setbacks, the Gers have returned to Ibrox, however portions of the field are still closed in advance of their next home game.
The Daily Record reports that while the club hopes to have the stadium fully functioning for the Scottish Premiership match, Hibs supporters have now been kept in the dark due to a lower allocation for the visiting spectators.
McManus wrote in the Daily Record on Wednesday, September 25, that it seemed a little inappropriate to keep Hibs supporters waiting around for Ibrox tickets since Sunday’s game is just a few days away.
“Remember, with the recent difficulties there, some gamblers would see being excluded as a benefit. But they shouldn’t. You never know what could occur. and it’s past due that Hibs secured a victory in Glasgow.
Rangers still have Ibrox problems before of their match against the Hibernians.
With the game just four days away, it seems sense to be frustrated by the lack of information, but the club is powerless to address the issue.
The significance of the return to Ibrox cannot be overstated for Philippe Clement’s team, who desperately need the support of the supporters at this point.
Despite having won four of their previous five games in all competitions, Clement is under fire after losing to the Old Firm and losing their chance to qualify for the Champions League.
Ibrox, the home of Rangers [Credit: Imago]
With a Europa League match against Malmo on Thursday, September 26, and Lyon to follow, the Belgian still has an opportunity to win over the supporters with an eye on European play.
Although Clement’s primary attention will be on the Malmo match, the ticketing situation leading up to the Hibernian match is not ideal. The Gers now know all too well what a stadium devoid of a single supporter base might be like.
Rangers shot Malmo caution as Swedes warmed up for Europa League match in fashion with Hacken demolition work
Starting their campaign in the redesigned Europa League group stage, the Gers visit Scandinavia next Thursday.
Following their Sunday thumping of BK Hacken 4-0, Malmo will enter their Europa League match with Rangers on Thursday bursting with confidence.
With his team leading at the head of the Allsvenskan table to 11 points over closest rivals Djurgardens, Henrik Rydstrom’s triumph also preserves their seven-game perfect record in the Swedish top-tier. Along with former Anderlecht and Leverkusen great Isaac Kiese Thelin and Norway international Erik Botheim on the scoreboard, Danish veteran Anders Christiansen helped himself to a brace with goals in each half.
Having suffered a 4-0 aggregate loss to Sparta Prague in the Champions League play-off round last month, Malmo will face Philippe Clement’s men on matchday one in the Europa League this week. Head coach Rydstrom made six changes against Häcken from the previous 0-0 draw with GAIS last weekend, adding Johan Dahlin, Colin Rösler, Sergio Peña, Christiansen, Hugo Bolin, and Kiese Thelin to the lineup in preparation for the encounter.
Having not lost to the Ibrox club in any of their four games, the Swedish team has already compiled an outstanding record against them. Following up a 1-1 draw in Sweden with a 1-0 victory in Govan in the return leg, they outperformed Rangers in a Champions League third-round qualifier at the start of the 2011/12 season.
More recently, Steven Gerrard’s Gers also endured disappointment at the hands of Malmo, losing 2-1 in both legs at the same level in Champions League qualification. Antonio Colak impressed Rangers so highly that they paid £1.8million to recruit the Croatian striker from Greek team PAOK 12 months later. He scored both of the Swede’s goals in the triumph at Ibrox.
Ally McCoist’s comment still holds true for Rangers being kicked from all sides
Former Rangers manager Mark Warburton famously said about covering football in Scotland: “There always is one good guy and one bad guy.”
Less than a year in the Ibrox hotseat has already revealed about Philippe Clement: he goes from zero to hero and back again.
The club is no different with any side of the Old Firm seated in second place being the one under target for violence.
Still relevant for Rangers is Ally McCoist’s remark.
For Rangers supporters, it has been more than ten years; yet, for one or two seasons, they have had to deal with their team being daily kicked by the press with every day witnessing a fresh pot shot.
Celtic signs a £11 million midfielder; Rangers face criticism for slashing the pay bill.
Celtic posts their yearly reports; Rangers are written off.
Celtic triumph in the Champions League; Ranger’s huge sponsorship agreement is mocked at.
For Rangers’ worst days in 2012, Ally McCoist took center stage.
With the club in administration, the Gers legend advised those engaged in pot shots to maximize their opportunities, while they could:
“Most likely, one or two individuals are having a little fly kick out there loving it.
“We will not be here for long, hence I would advise them to give a really good kick just now.
“Let’s just say, we are looking up and we are seeing what we are seeing while we are down there.”
Philippe Clement has to get Rangers supporters back on side.
Nowadays, this is what irritates fans.
The club is in a better financial situation than such that the savings in the pay bill from new gear and sponsorship arrangements should enable it to be self-sufficient.
With the ultimate goal that Ibrox is a 365 days a year money producer rather than a church visited on days of service, it is being improved rather than maintained.
Though they are all self-induced, which really irritates me, the present issues are not nearly as severe.
None of permanent chairman, CEO, sporting director, academy director.
The club’s backbone is what it is.
Is it any surprise that supporters are unhappy and that those who enjoy Rangers’ suffering love every minute?
When Philippe Clement first came in Glasgow, his main goals were to have the players and supporters chanting from the same song sheet.
There has been a gap without Ibrox, an early loss to Celtic and Champions League disappointment.
Tannadice offered a ray of hope.
A clue that supporters haven’t entirely given up yet and had Clement hopeful for the future:
“It takes time to gel the team together to let them understand what they need to do together, which moments should create these connections and timings in the runs plus the work with and without the ball,” stated Clement on bedding in new players.
“That seemed like a home game, which was the most upbeat part. Today our supporters were outstanding once again, and you could sense the team and fan connection. Returning to Ibrox to experience this ten times more excites us.
Rangers supporters can embrace the values of a manager who has been here before with a fresh, younger, more dynamic squad to support.
What he needs, however, is for those higher than him to do their duties and prevent the club from becoming a laughing stock.
Rangers will then be more suited to lead Scottish football once again and serve as a reminder to everyone of what McCoist memorably said.
Kris Boyd, a Rangers hero, makes fun of the Celtics before the Champions League
Kris Boyd, the hero of Rangers, made light of Celtic before their Champions League campaign began on September 18.
Boyd made fun of their Old Firm rivals in an interview with Sky Sports News on September 18, pointing out that they haven’t advanced past the group stages of a European competition in a long time.
Celtic last participated in the knockout stages of a continental competition in 2020, losing in the Europa League round of 32, while Rangers advanced all the way to the 2022 final.
Boyd stated, “Celtic will fancy themselves to pick up some decent points with the home games,” according to quotes published in the Daily Record on September 18.
“I believe that the draw has been kind to them; the format has, in fact, improved their chances of, let’s say, making it to the knockout stage.
“After Christmas, Celtic supporters may be able to watch their team play in Europe; this hasn’t happened in a long time.”
Rangers needs to catch up to Celtic.
Since Celtic won 3-0 at Parkhead in the opening derby of the season, talk of the significant difference between the two Old Firm rivals has exploded.
It’s easy for Hoops supporters to forget, though, that their main rivals, Eintracht Frankfurt, were one missed penalty away from winning the Europa League in Seville two years ago.
Rangers fans will be dreaming of a swift return to iconic European nights at Ibrox
At Ibrox, there has been much discussion about how Rangers can close the gap with Celtic both on and off the field. Some people think a complete overhaul from top to bottom may be necessary.
The team led by Philippe Clement will have to make major progress during this three-month period if they are to show any indication of improvement before they play their fierce rivals again in the New Year.
The Old Firm determines everyone’s fate at Ibrox, and even though the Germans have surpassed their competitors on the continent, their primary goal right now needs to be regaining control at home.
Famous Rock star declares he would have “definitely considered” making the ultimate sacrifice for the Rangers
Rangers supporters have a well-known proverb that goes, “Those who don’t understand, don’t matter.”
It’s a motto that’s still essential to the Glasgow Giants fan experience—one of the most devoted, if not the most devoted, in the world of sports.
The Ibrox faithful have always supported the Rangers, from the pinnacles of the team’s illustrious past to the lowest points of the club’s financial collapse in 2012.
It’s a unique relationship that many would, at the very least, sacrifice their lives for.
And that’s exactly what a well-known Scottish musician has been discussing this week as he talks about his teenage romance with the renowned Glasgow Rangers and the lengths he would have gone to in order to prove his loyalty.
Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
The star of Jesus and Mary Chain “would have died” for the Rangers
The Jesus and Mary Chain will be familiar to Rangers fans from a particular era.
The band, which was formed in 1983 by brothers Jim and William Reid, originated in East Kilbride and has since gone on to record eight albums during their two periods of existence.
One of the most well-known albums of the 1980s is their 1985 release Psychocandy, which has a gritty yet delicately melodic sound that is still played often in some places.
Their most well-known songs are April Skies from the 1987 album Darklands and Just Like Honey from the previously mentioned Psychocandy, for those readers who might need a little prodding.
Following an eight-year break between 1999 and 2007, the group has returned with its most recent release, the aptly named Glasgow Eyes, which has thrust the alternative rock group back into the public eye.
The well-known music journalist Ben Thompson ghostwrote the new biography Never Understood, which the Reid brothers have also released.
William talks about his love of the Rangers as a teenager in an interview he did with the Times as part of all of this.
The usually poetic musician joked, “If someone had said, ‘Strap this bomb to your chest for the sake of Rangers,’ I would definitely have considered it,” in a way that anyone of a blue persuasion would understand.
Rangers’ backing continues despite Ibrox’s uncertainty
The illustrious Glasgow Rangers are associated with many well-known names, and this is something that stays with you forever.
All Rangers supporters can relate to the feeling of adoration for the team that they had as teenagers, which usually carries over into adulthood.
Even though the last 12 or 13 years, if not the last few seasons, have been difficult for the support, the loyalty has persevered.
Rangers are currently going through a transitional period, but the team will always support them as they try to find some much-needed stability both on and off the pitch.
The club’s hierarchy is still in disarray as Philippe Clement works to stabilise the team after a significant summer makeover.
Following John Bennett’s temporary resignation from the Rangers due to health concerns, former Rangers chairman Dave King has thrown his hat into the ring to rejoin the team at Ibrox.
To see how much the Rangers mean to their supporters, all you have to do is watch the Gers support sing “Caledonia” in the midst of all the mayhem.
“Get Him In” – Pundit renders opinion on forgotten Rangers ace based on ” Simply Ridiculous” footage
Derek Ferguson says Philippe Clement should allow Alex Lowry a chance to play for the Rangers first team.
Having been on loan at Hearts, injured, or out of favour over the past year, the homegrown attacker has not made a senior Gers appearance since the Belgian took over, thus the bench is just once for a 5-2 league win over Dundee last term.
Though Clement lacked options before Nedim Bajrami’s Deadline Day move, Lowry, 21, made a preseason appearance in the dismal show at Birmingham City and apparently paid the price.
But last month, he scored a screamer for the B Team against Clyde, which 4 Lads Had A Dream branded “simply ridiculous” based on footage posted online.
Ex-Ibrox midfielder Ferguson feels his lack of impact in recent years could be due to not feeling wanted at his boyhood club and believes he should at least get a shot to challenge Tom Lawrence for a squad slot.
Talking just with Ibrox News, he said: “He performs for the B Team rather well. He picked up an injury while on loan with Hearts last season. One finds a decent player in there.
“He lost his mum around a year and a half to two years ago; I’m not sure whether that had any bearing on it. You suffer personally when you lose a close relative.
Not even on the bench has he been. I would be inclined to offer him chances. Get him on the squad, make him comfortable, and, should Lawrence fail, you can rely on Alex.
“There you go, son, go and offer us your finest. Still, you have to experience want. Does he have wants? Does he believe he is part of it?
Rangers manager Philippe Clement [Credit: Imago]
Rangers door open; Ianis Hagi blocked; Todd Cantwell gone.
With Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi both shunted out to train with the reserves, the Gers B Team most likely has more attention on it than it has for years.
After requesting to leave, the Englishman was sold to Blackburn; Clement has once more underlined that the Romanian lacks a path back in despite his agents’ clear ruling out of an exit [Digital Sport, 12 September].
Those two circumstances have eclipsed Lowry’s when he finds it difficult to get away from the belief that his chances at Ibrox could be here or never.
Under Clement, Bajrami’s arrival won’t have helped his prospects; the transfer window as a whole wasn’t particularly successful and injuries have already been a regular occurrence; unlike with Cantwell and Hagi, there is no clear reason why he shouldn’t at least get a look in.
Ally McCoist pictured with well-known friends at trendy Glasgow restaurant
A well-known Glasgow restaurant has seen Rangers legend Ally McCoist pictured with friends.
Recently dining at Caprese-Don Costanzo on Woodside Crescent in the West End, the former Gers icon
From 1983 until 1998, the 61-year-old was a Glasgow player. Then he went back to the club managing from 2011 until 2014.
Along with several friends, including comic Andy Cameron, sports pundit Chick Young, former Gers midfielder Ian Durrant, former Ibrox assistant manager Archie Knox, and Two Doors Down star Jonathan Watson, the former striker was seen at the family-run Italian restaurant.
Posting the groups’ visits on social media, the restaurant said, “Was great to see the guys back in again last week.”
With another injury plaguing the Gers, a North African star is expected to step in and take Ibrox’s place
Over the past few seasons, injuries have become so commonplace at the Rangers that news of another issue is typically met with a shrug of the shoulders.
particularly when it’s a player that supporters are accustomed to seeing unconscious on a hospital bed.
The 25-year-old Brazilian striker Danilo is the most recent player to fall victim to the Ibrox injury curse; following a painful debut season, he is back on the treatment table.
While supporters are waiting for Philippe Clement to provide an update on the forward, pictures of the striker at Glasgow Airport wearing a brace have drawn a similar amount of disinterest.
A combination of a severe facial fracture and an even more severe knee injury kept Rangers from having the £6 million striker for the majority of the previous campaign.
However, a highly-regarded young talent is waiting in the wings as the Rangers prepare for Danilo to be sidelined once again.
Rangers are given “food for thought” by Hamza Igamane.
Although the Rangers’ crushing defeat at the hands of Celtic was expected, Hamza Igamane’s arrival at Ibrox was shocking.
Given the child’s physical and mental state, Rangers manager Philippe Clement had previously stated that the team would take its time acclimating him to the squad.
Some people were curious as to why Igamane was thrown onto the pitch during Celtic Park’s Old Firm match.
However, the remarkable cameo indicates that Rangers are pleased with Igamane’s growth and that the striker is prepared to play a bigger role in the starting lineup.
In light of Danilo’s injury and the ongoing attention being paid to the stronger Cyriel Dessers, former Celtic and Hibs midfielder Scott Allan believes that his moment may be near.
Allan told the Scottish Sun, “The manager will now know what his strongest team is after the Celtic game.” September is here already, so he ought to.
He will have gained a lot of insight into which players he believes will be prepared for Tannadice from the Old Firm match.
“A few new players have joined the team, and when Hamza Igamane entered the game against Celtic, I thought he looked decent—he put himself about it.
“It’s worth considering that Danilo is sidelined once more despite Cyriel Dessers being the goal scorer.”
“They must, first and foremost, establish some consistency in the people they choose for the team—those he believes will perform well and attempt to put a run together.”
Striker chance to be given to Rangers’ summer signing
To bring Hamza Igamane to Ibrox this summer, Rangers paid £1.7 million.
Considering the club’s much-discussed financial struggles, that’s a hefty price to pay for a single player.
Despite this, Rangers supporters were forewarned that Igamane’s debut against Celtic Park technically counts as his team debut as the club will be taking its time acclimating him to the squad.
I hope he plays better matches in the future.
Rangers may have been forced to play Igamane because Danilo will likely be out for an undisclosed amount of time and there are serious concerns about his durability in the medium to long run.
The young Moroccan, who is still only 21 years old, has everything to work for him at Rangers. We even have a sneaking suspicion that he could play this weekend at Tannadice.
Strong Connor Goldson’s allegation about James Tavernier is loud among growing Rangers’ transfer departure chaos
Although he has more goals over his career than many strikers and is in the Rangers hall of fame, debate still surrounds.
It’s the growing rumours about James Tavernier’s connection to Besiktas prior to the Friday night closing of the Turkish transfer window. This won’t go away.
The buzz of Istanbul sports stations is a reunion with former boss Gio van Bronckhorst, as the Dutchman allegedly spoke with the man who was his captain during their shared time at Ibrox. During the aftermath of Celtic’s 3-0 trouncing last Sunday, Tavernier’s Rangers legacy has been hotly contested among the irate Ibrox punters haranguing him.
Although he has more goals over his career than many strikers and is in the Rangers Hall of Fame, the rampaging right-back could be nearing his last chapter after nine years in Glasgow. And former teammate Connor Goldson issued a warning last saying it would be reckless to take Tavernier for granted. Speaking following the Viaplay Cup Final triumph over Aberdeen, the straight-speaking Brummie remarked: “He doesn’t stop. It’s the same old; he does it every single year and I have said this for a long time; this football club won’t value him as much until he is gone.”
And that theory could be tested with Besiktas – with a 100 percent record in the Super Lig under van Bronckhorst – looking forward a blockbuster finale in the next days.
Dave King reveals John Bennett’s “devastation” while stews over Rangers fan fury targeted at James Tavernier
As King rode to beleaguered skipper’s defence, he urged supporters to stop focussing their wrath on the present players.
After last weekend’s Derby loss, Dave King has jumped to James Tavernier’s defence and slammed enraged supporters challenging the skipper.
Following a devastating 3-0 derby loss to Celtic, the Rangers captain had abuse yelled at home as he left Ibrox, Philippe Clement and his squad were returning to the stadium before heading home. The Belgian’s attempts to quote shots on target stats to punters seeking responses had to be guided away as one person singled him out for some foul mouthed abuse emerged from the ground.
Reminding them of Tavernier’s successes over a ten-year period of service to the club, former Gers chairman King has cautioned it is not on. And he assures supporters that under fire chairman John Bennett is experiencing just as much as he tries to steer the ship around. King told the Rangers Review, “It is quite sad to learn that a tiny minority of supporters are allowing their anger to momentarily control them to the extent of personally attacking our players.”
“The performance of our team and its drop since title 55 really disappoints all of us. That is not the fault of the current team or the individual players who were contacted to play for the club (not the other way round) and who are generally doing their best, though. Being an emotional supporter involves us all evaluating player performance. We wish slower players to be faster; we wish less creative players to be more creative; etc. In the end, a good team results from the balancing of several elements. Therefore, player recruitment should evaluate several factors, including inter alia, the technical ability, temperament, character (very crucial at Rangers), leadership, and team compatibility.
(Image: SNS Group)
“Every effective team requires different skill sets to guarantee a balance. Any player signed by Rangers has to believe he passed that criteria and then act in line with his capacity and manager’s direction for any particular game. If the total outcome of team preparation and recruitment produces poor performance, individual players cannot be held responsible.
“Loyal supporters are those of Rangers.” Turning on our captain, who has been 100% loyal to Rangers and (memories are short) regularly saved us in key games for a decade, is the reverse of loyalty and I hope most supporters will join me in denouncing such behaviour. Anger of supporters should not be aimed at our team.
“Our club finds itself in a mostly self-inflicted fall, but turning on our own players is not the Rangers approach. John Bennett is working incredibly hard behind the scenes and is clearly depressed by present events. Ahead is a difficult period; we must pull together to get through it.
EXCLUSIVE! A mentor profiled Neraysho Kasanwirjo reveals important traits of the new Rangers player who can play four positions
Due to demands at Feyenoord, the Dutchman has the character to shine at Ibrox, according to Ajax and his former boss.
Three years ago, Danny Buijs signed a teenage player named Neraysho Kasanwirjo from Ajax for Groningen. Soon after, he realised he had a player so talented, he could play four positions.
The Dutchman is most eager to see him this season, though, and that is his ability to perform in the pressure cooker that is Rangers. On deadline day, defenseman Kasanwirjo moved from Feyenoord to Ibrox on loan as Philippe Clement strengthened his back line. Rangers trail the champions by five points after just four games, and the 22-year-old was thrown into a baptism of fire during Sunday’s Old Firm thrashing at Celtic Park. However, the move came too late.
But when Clement leads his team to play Dundee United following the international break, Kasanwirjo might be forced into the starting lineup. And if he is, Buijs will be observing with curiosity from a distance.
After acquiring the defender from Ajax’s youth ranks three years prior, he gave him his Eredivisie debut for Groningen and was so impressed with his skill with the ball that he was unable to remove him from the team. After just 18 months at the Euroborg Stadium, Kasanwirjo made 32 appearances that season before being plucked by Arne Slot to Feyenoord.
The Netherlands U21 international’s experience at the Rotterdam club, where he currently manages Fortuna Sittard, should have equipped him for the test of mettle he is about to face in Govan, according to former Kilmarnock defender Buijs. “You could see straight away he had been at Ajax because technically on the ball he was very good even at such a young age,” he said to Record Sport after signing Neraysho from Yong Ajax.
“He had to discover that playing professional football entails other significant factors, such as physical attributes, and that success is more important at the top than it is at Ajax’s youth system. But as the season progressed, he grew.
Neraysho was primarily utilised as a central defender. He was free to join the midfield as well, and we frequently used three central defenders in our plays.
In addition, he is a capable left back, controlling midfielder, and right back. To be honest, I think it was a huge compliment for him to play 32 games in the Eredivisie at such a young age.
“He was really good, calm, and could see a good pass when he had the ball.” He elevated our game significantly on the ball. That’s his primary attribute, and it’s crucial to note that he improved his defence in and around his own box during dual matches.
“He can be quick and strong, but sometimes in the past he needed to be more aggressive or better at reading the game.”
Three seasons ago was that. Feyenoord saw enough in him the following winter to sign him, which says a lot. Groningen to Feyenoord is a huge step. Under Arne Slot’s leadership, they excelled and won the Netherlands championship.
Neraysho found it challenging to be a first-choice player, so he went to Rapid Vienna last year to play on loan. Nonetheless, he now possesses a respectable amount of experience for a young player. It will be fascinating to follow his development with the Rangers.
On Sunday night, Rangers supporters unleashed their wrath on Clement and his team outside Ibrox, and that kind of pressure can crack even the most resilient players.
However, Buijs stated: “In football, we talk a lot about technical attributes—tactical and physical—but increasingly, the mental component is really, really important.
“Definitely, when you’re playing for venues this size. He had that experience with Feyenoord, who are similar to Rangers in that they are a massive club with a great deal of pressure and emotion. That will pique his interest greatly.
He had a strong character, in my opinion. After a few more years, he has experiences from both Austria and Feyenoord. However, over time, players’ characters may evolve.
As both Rangers and Celtic are extremely successful teams, it goes without saying that playing for one of them will involve a great deal of pressure and emotion, which you must manage. You are just not skilled enough to play at that level if you are unable to.
“But, if a child grows up at Ajax, then frequently they have already learnt how to handle greater pressure as a young player.”
Buijs, who played similar positions for Kilmarnock during his career and was part of the team that surprised Celtic to win the 2012 League Cup final, was the ideal mentor for Kasanwirjo. He also recalls the features of the Scottish game.
That presents another challenge for the new boy from Ibrox, who hopes to have fellow Dutchman Robin Propper on his side.
“I’m very curious to see how he does in Scotland,” he remarked. “From my experience, the physical aspects of the game are at a high level; players use a lot of physical force and intensity.”
However, Neraysho can truly benefit the Rangers when he has space and time to play with the ball.
Naturally, Robin can assist him in settling. As an experienced player, Robin was a major factor in Twente’s success in the Dutch league the previous season.
“Scottish football is played differently. A Dutch player might be able to contribute in a technical sense, but I believe they need to improve physically and with more intensity.
Rangers’ issues are far worse than Jack Butland’s, as Cammy Bell provides a knowledgeable analysis of Kyogo’s goal in the Celtic Derby
Cammy Bell has leapt to the Ibrox No. 1’s defence, claiming he is one of their most valuable assets.
Rangers 0 Celtic 3: The best of the action
Rangers manager Philippe Clement must feel overburdened by issues.
However, Cammy Bell is adamant that the man in the sticks isn’t one. Right now at Ibrox, everyone is apologising for Sunday’s terrible derby loss to Celtic, including custodian Jack Butland.The former England player suffered three defeats as Brendan Rodgers’ polished Celtics easily defeated Clement’s dishevelled Rangers by five points. However, the latest round of finger-pointing was sparked by the Hoops’ second goal of the day—a clean, low Yogo strike from 30 yards out that sailed past Butland’s left hand.
Fans are beginning to worry that Butland’s left-hand side is becoming a major weak point in the Light Blues’ armour after being beaten into the same bottom corner by Adam Idah during last season’s 3-3 Old Firm thriller at Ibrox, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok of Dynamo Kyiv during Gers’ unsuccessful Champions League bid, and an OG from Robin Propper against Motherwell last month.
Bell, however, has refuted those allegations, stating that Butland lost badly at Parkhead due to a momentary lapse in positional awareness. Bell is a former Ibrox shot stopper. “I don’t think he actually knew where he was, where his left-hand post was,” he said to Record Sport regarding the Sunday goal that went down to his left from Kyogo.
“I believe he was misplaced within his box, which affected his positioning. That is not a situation, in my opinion, where it can be said that he was weak to the left. All I can think of is that it was just bad placement.
He was simply too far to the right of his right-hand post. You know, you get all nit-picky and detail-oriented at times like this.
However, Jack Butland is not the Rangers’ main issue. He’s actually one of their main assets in my opinion. He has proven throughout his stay in Scotland that he is an excellent custodian.
Naturally, when things begin to go wrong, people are quick to cast doubt on you and examine everything closely. However, I believe that Rangers’ issues go far beyond their concerns about Jack Butland.
The fact that last year’s club player of the year, a man who was being talked about as the next to join Chris Woods, Andy Goram, Stefan Klos, and Allan McGregor in the club’s legendary No. 1 lineup, now has to play the blame game speaks volumes about how dark and gloomy things are at Ibrox.
Bell said, “That’s just a matter of pure frustration.” Jack Butland will undoubtedly be just as irritated as the supporters. Despite his outstanding season the previous year, I was still asked by a few people about his preseason stumbles.
“Well, he wasn’t playing at his best in those situations, but if you go back to the Hearts game on opening day, he made a few huge saves to maintain the clean sheet at Tynecastle,” I believe. In Poland, he had another against Dynamo Kyiv.
Thus, there have already been occasions this season where Rangers have benefited from his class, and I don’t believe Butland bears any responsibility for it. When he sees that goal by Kyogo, he will realise he was out of position. However, since he doesn’t typically act in that way, I believe we can write that off as an isolated incident.
The recent head-to-head in the derby has swung overwhelmingly in Celtic’s favour. Now, Rodgers’ team has won five of the previous six meetings in Glasgow and drawn the other. Since May of last year, the Gers have not defeated their fierce rivals, and that match ended in a draw after Parkhead coach Ange Postecoglou watched his team win the championship.
To locate the Light Blues’ most significant Old Firm victory, go back to the April 2022 Scottish Cup semi-final. Then, go back another six months to the time they won a league match, during Steven Gerrard’s tenure.
Despite his five attempts to get on Rodgers’ side without success, Clement maintains that there isn’t a significant gap between the two teams. Bell, though, thinks the Belgian’s assertion is wildly inaccurate.
He acknowledged, “I think there is a gap between the teams.” “What Celtic has accomplished is assembling a stable team. The guys who have been there for a while are all familiar with what big clubs require.
“Observe Nicholas Kuhn.” The player that was here the previous season is not the same as this one. Yes, it took him some time to get used to it, but now that he’s flying, Celtic appear to be miles ahead of Rangers. It will be interesting to watch how the remaining new Celtic signings adjust.
“To be honest, I do see a quality gap between the squads, but it’s the same for the guys who have come into Rangers late in the window.” Sunday was a difficult day. On the pitch, there was a noticeable disparity between the two teams.
The level of intensity and skill with the ball that Celtic displayed was simply unmatched by Rangers’ abilities. Early on, Rangers had a few promising moments, but they were not enough. Conversely, the Celtics were simply extremely brutal. For the majority of the game, they were in complete control.
“It was a challenging watch, and there were times when I believed there might have been more than three.” For Rangers, there were some advantages. There, Connor Barron has had a strong start to the season, and I felt he did well once more.
However, others on that team will need some time to adjust. Celtic boasts players who are performing at the highest level, giving them an incredible depth of talent. Rangers, meanwhile, appear to be a decent yard away from Celtic.
Billy Dodds still can’t believe what he saw in Rangers’ loss to Celtic
Billy Dodds couldn’t believe it when Celtic beat Rangers 4-0 in the Old Firm Derby on 1 August.
Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 at Celtic Park in the first Old Firm match of the season. Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor scored the goals.
For BBC Sportscene [1 August, 18m25s], Dodds looked at the mistakes that cost Rangers the game and criticised Phillipe Clement for how his team played when they were behind.
He said, “Rangers were done as soon as Celtic scored their first goal.” I couldn’t believe how they thought. Rangers weren’t ready for Celtic, and you need to be when they come at you.
The way the Rangers thought cost them in the Old Firm match.
There was a strong feeling that the game was already over when Celtic scored the first goal. This is the main problem Rangers are having this season.
It was a crazy summer for the Light Blues’ transfers, with 10 new players coming in and 10 players leaving. The difference in quality between them and their biggest rivals is still clear.
The loss at Celtic Park is a harsh reminder that Clement will not be able to turn around the Gers overnight. It will take at least a few years of smart hiring to build a team that can compete with Celtic for the title.
When captain James Tavernier sets a good example by turning off and letting Alistair Johnston make a run under the ball to help Maeda score the first goal, it shows a major problem with the current team.
It smelt like blood to Brendan Rodgers, and his team quickly got to work. They were better than Clement’s team in every way, and the Celtic player was much more willing to fight for the badge than any Rangers player.
The Light Blues’ chances of making it to the SPFL are pretty much over. Since they are five points behind Celtic, they will need to win the rematch in January and hope that Celtic makes a mistake in order to make up ground in the title race.
Ace hugs “incredible” Birmingham City limbs after Rangers’ loss; life after Ibrox starts in a dreamy way
He switched teams at the last minute, going from Rangers to Birmingham City.
Scott Wright says he couldn’t have written a better debut for Birmingham City after leaving Rangers for the third level of English football.
In the last week of the transfer window, the winger left Ibrox to join Chris Davies’ team. Davies also got Ben Davies from Rangers. With the last-second goal in a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic, his first game for Birmingham City was a dream come true.
Wright talks about his debut and the days leading up to the game. He says that the scenes of celebration after the winner amazed him, and that the quality of training has been top-notch. For the club press, Wright said, “I don’t think I could have made it up better.”
“Getting a goal on my first game is great.” Three points were the most important thing. The fans stayed with us the whole game. Buzzing. It was amazing, and I think it was the last knee slide I’ll ever do. It hurt my knees, but it was worth it. The limbs were really cool.
“It’s been great. My coworkers and the staff have been great at helping me get in as quickly as possible.” In other words, I can’t wait for the next few days to get my feet under me and start getting to know everyone better.
“I believe the level of training has been outstanding.” I’ve only trained for two or three days, but the level of quality has been great. Now we have to drive those standards every day and bring them into games.
“I’d be very worried,” Chris Sutton questions Philippe Clement’s story about the Rangers
Chris Sutton thinks that Rangers fans should be worried about the way their team is going after Celtic beat them 3-0.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement tried to make the loss look better than it really was, but Celtic, who have dominated Scottish football for the past ten years, are still ahead of their Glasgow rivals.
It was clear at Celtic Park on Sunday when the Hoops dominated Rangers. They were so good that they went into the international break leading the Scottish Premiership, one goal ahead of Aberdeen.
On BBC 5 Live’s 606, Sutton talked about the latest derby match and the Rangers’ chances of a close title race this season. He said, “Aberdeen are off to a flyer.” I don’t think Aberdeen could keep up this level of intensity, but I have to say that Rangers were so far below it today.
“If I’m a Rangers fan, I’m stressed out.”
“Taking into account that Celtic sold their best player, Matt O’Riley, they’ve now added other players during the window. But they were a long way off.
Are you a Rangers fan? If so, you think your team has no chance.
“Philippe Clement told us that things will get better in October or November.” But will he get that long?
“Some people made fun of him on the way back to Ibrox on the bus.” There are some Rangers fans around who were not happy with the bears.
“Deeply concerned,” Ally McCoist says live on air as new details about the Rangers takeover come in
People in the United States are not interested in buying the Rangers, according to Dave King, who Ally McCoist believes.
After hearing on Tuesday (August 27) that some Ibrox shareholders wanted to sell their shares, this happens. The club is worth about £150 million [City A.M.].
King, who owns 14.12% of the club’s shares and is one of its biggest supporters, has already responded to the rumours, saying that they aren’t true [The Rangers Review].
McCoist said live on talkSPORT on August 28, at 6:44 a.m.: “I don’t know but something’s got to be done.” It’s hard for me to say whether it’s good or bad because I don’t know anything about the possible American investors.
“But since Dave King is adamant that there is no truth, I’ll have to take him at his word and say there is obviously no interest—or maybe not so much “no interest,” but right now it doesn’t look like there’s a deal to be made.”
“But Al, I tell you what, I told Jeff Stelling last week: I’m just very worried about what’s happened.” A lot of people seem to need to leave before they can spend any money to bring anyone in. There are a lot of worried Rangers fans out there, including me.
Rangers say no to news of an American takeover
At the moment, things are not going well for the Gers. Philippe Clement will not like any more problems off the pitch or behind the scenes, especially after the Ibrox redevelopment mess.
Going up against Celtic in the first game of the new season is already putting pressure on the manager, but things that aren’t related to football have now come back into the spotlight.
Fans may have been excited about the idea of a takeover at Ibrox, especially if new money came into the club. However, the former chairman has already dashed those hopes.
But even though things got better under Clement, John Bennett will have a hard time getting the Gers back to winning the Scottish Premiership. They already lost in the qualifying round for the Champions League.
A lot of that is because Clement and Nils Koppen have had to work with a very small budget and not put much into the team. This is why so many fans are worried about the team’s condition.
There is a big chance that new investors will make Ibrox better, but there is also a big risk that comes with a takeover.
James Tavernier is confronted by an angry Rangers fan while the captain goes on an X-rated rant
A furious punter yelled at Tavernier and the rest of his Ibrox teammates.
As James Tavernier was being led away by Ibrox security, a livid Rangers fan yelled at him and told the captain to “f*** off.”
Rangers lost badly to Celtic at Parkhead, and Tavernier was captain when they lost. They are now five points behind Celtic after only four games in the league season. The Premiership champions won 3-0, and after the game, Rangers went back to Ibrox for a meeting.
Some people on social media, including manager Philippe Clement and defender Leon Balogun, were seen trying to calm down angry fans. But a new video clip that is being shared by many X accounts shows someone yelling at Tavernier.
— Olly (@ClassAOlly19) September 1, 2024
The fan calls the show “embarrassing” and asks, “Where’s Tav?” as the other players leave the stadium. When the captain comes out, the angry fan calls him a “loser” and tells him to “do us a favour and f*** off.” The captain is seen reacting briefly to the rant before he and the rest of his teammates are led out of the shot.
After Celtic lost the Old Firm, Moussa Dembele made fun of Rangers badly, calling them a “waste of time”
After Celtic lost 3-0 to Rangers in the Old Firm derby on September 1, Moussa Dembele made fun of them.
The Gers didn’t put up much of a fight at Celtic Park. Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor scored goals to seal a resounding win for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Dembele scored seven goals and set up four others in 10 games against Rangers during his three-year stay in Glasgow. After the game on September 1, he couldn’t help but delete his X account.
“Why do we still play them?” he asked. Waste of time—but I like seeing them crash over and over again.”
After losing to Celtic in the Old Firm, Rangers have a lot of work to do to catch up.
Ten new players joined the Light Blues over the summer, and ten players left. The two Glaswegian teams couldn’t be more different in terms of skill.
It’s no longer possible for anyone to catch Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The Hoops beat their rivals easily and routinely.
According to Sky Sports, James Tavernier played awfully at right back. The captain should feel lucky that he was allowed to stay on the field for the whole game.
Rangers will have to start over under Philippe Clement because they lost to Celtic. This is a terrible setback for a club that needs the money from the Champions League to get back on track financially.
Why are we still playing them…??🙄😂 Waste of time 😂😂 But enjoying to see them crash again and again 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/uSQ6n5XTCV
— Moussa Dembélé (@MDembele_10) September 1, 2024
This season, it looks like the Hoops will easily win the SPFL title again. The Light Blues were booed off the pitch at Celtic Park, and that could become a theme in this year’s Old Firm games.
Ranger’s team doesn’t look like it can compete for the title right now, and the summer transfer window closed just two days ago. They will need to strengthen in the winter transfer window.
When Clement extended his contract with the club, he knew how much work was ahead of him. But the embarrassing loss on Sunday is a harsh reminder of how much work needs to be done at the Gers.
Kris Boyd calls the Rangers team’s performance against the Old Firm “embarrassing”
Kris Boyd was very harsh on the Rangers team, saying that none of them could even come close to beating Celtic.
The former Gers striker gave his opinion after Philippe Clement’s team lost the first Old Firm match of the season 3-0 at Celtic Park.
Now, the Light Blues have to take a break during the international break to heal before they play Dundee United again.
At the end of the loss on September 1, Boyd told Sky Sports host Eilidh Barbour, “That was embarrassing.” How many Rangers players are on that Celtic team? Not at all. There is none, and that’s where you want to be.
“They wouldn’t even come close to it.” Rangers hope things happen, but Celtic make them happen.
“That was embarrassing. It’s about time people got smart and realised this isn’t going anywhere fast.”
Rangers are a long way from Celtic.
Boyd gave a very harsh review, and this is coming from a man who strongly supports the blue camp.
People like Chris Sutton and John Hartson, who used to play for Celtic, have strong opinions on the subject, which backs up what most people already think about how far away Rangers are right now.
The game’s statistics make it look much more even: both teams had four shots on goal, with Celtic having 14 and the Gers having 13.
But that’s just another case of when your own two eyes are better than the numbers. Clement and his team know they were second best in every way, that their defence was constantly being broken, and that they were lucky to only come home with three points.
Clement and Nils Koppen will still be angry that they think the club was too slow to get rid of troublesome or unnecessary players during the transfer window, which gave them less time to bring in all the reinforcements they thought they needed.
The break of two weeks will give everyone a chance to get back on track, but it’s clear that the only way for the Gers to win a trophy this season is to win a cup.
Todd Cantwell says the club is different from the one he signed for and disputes that he threw his towel in at Rangers
Following his bargain £600k move to Blackburn, the midfield player has headed straight for social media to respond to his detractors.
agitatedTodd Cantwell insists he never turned down the opportunity to play for the Ibrox team and that he signed with a different Rangers team than the one he is currently with.
Following his cut-price £600k move to Blackburn Rovers, the midfield player has rushed to social media to respond to his snipers and heap praise on Rangers supporters.After a preseason loss to Birmingham, Philippe Clement returned to a packed press room and declared that Cantwell wanted out of Ibrox. The playmaker, though, is certain he would have worn the light blue again.
“It’s been an honour to play for this incredible football club; some of the staff behind the scenes are the hardest of workers but also incredible people,” Cantwell insisted in an Instagram post. I have had a great time playing in the renowned blue and have given it my all each and every time. It was never my decision to say that I didn’t want to play for the club, and I never would. My family and I have always been Rangers. The Rangers I signed with are not the same as the ones I’m leaving. Mon the Germans.”
“God forbid,” says a pundit in response to Rangers’ news about a striker who won’t leave the club
Derek Ferguson says it’s a worry that Rangers won’t sign another striker before the transfer window closes because Cyriel Dessers is now the team’s main player.
Luca Bendoni told X on August 20 that Atlanta United was close to making a £4.5 million deal for the Nigerian international, but they were unable to come to an agreement with him.
And Chris Jack wrote on The Rangers Review’s website on August 27 that since the MLS deal didn’t go through, a new number nine isn’t likely to arrive before the deadline.
Ferguson is glad the Dessers deal didn’t go through because the Gers have no other options with Danilo being half-fit and Hamza Igamane not having been seen yet. But he is worried that another player won’t be signed.
He only told Ibrox News this: “For a club the size of Rangers, and if you want to compete with Celtic, you need players to step up and play.”
“Right now, nobody is challenging Dessers, which is why you should praise his attitude: he’s been criticised and abused so much that he could just snap out of it and get another club.”
“But he wouldn’t leave last week, so we’re just grateful that he’s scoring goals right now.” Please don’t hurt him, because we’re going to have a hard time, and I don’t see anyone on the B Team either.
“That worries me.” We need something to cover our heads. There are many places where we need cover. But the way Clement plays football makes me worry about what would happen if he got hurt or quit the club.
Cyriel Dessers is the top Rangers striker and turned down a move to Atlanta United
Philippe Clement relies on Cyriel Dessers a lot at Rangers
This late in the window, Rangers are stuck because Dessers is both the only striker they can realistically sell and the player they depend on in that position.
The former Cremonese forward got off to a rough start in Glasgow but scored 22 goals last season while everyone else was hurt or out of form. He has already scored five more goals this season because there are no other options.
For that, he deserves praise, and despite his flaws, the team’s hopes for the future rest on his shoulders. However, with rumours of transfers for Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland [Daily Record, 2 August] and now-Sparta Prague striker Albion Rrahmani [Football Scotland, 17 June], it was long thought that a new number one would come along.
It was risky to spend money on a project like Igamane earlier in the summer, but it will have to pay off in the end.
Fans may have liked another centre forward to have been brought in instead of Sam Lammers, even though Vaclav Cerny has done well on loan from Wolfsburg so far.
Chris Jack moots Rangers player exit, because he wants to play for a top Europa League club
Chris Jack thinks that Ianis Hagi will leave Rangers before the transfer deadline. However, Hagi wants to join a team in the top league.
Sky Sports reports that the Romanian player turned down the chance to move from Ibrox to Rapid Bucharest in his home country.
Jack has said that the 25-year-old will still leave Liverpool if a team from a top European league makes an offer.
He said on August 27’s Rangers Review, “We don’t think he’ll be a Rangers player for much longer.” He should be able to leave the club by the end of this week.
“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he has decided not to go back to Romania.” It would feel like going very far backwards.
„He and his team think he can play well and be in a top-five league. It’s not the fee that matters, it’s the wages. Rangers need to get something for him.
Ianis Hagi wants to leave Rangers for a club in Europe.
The attacking midfielder had a great time at the 2024 European Championships, so it looked like he would be moving on from Ibrox.
Hagi is still stuck in Glasgow, and there are only a few days left in the transfer window. If a deal isn’t made soon, he might have to play for Philippe Clement’s team.
Because of what the Romanian can bring to the team, this could definitely be a good thing for them and their season aims.
After making it clear that he wants to leave, they will have to find a new team for the former Genk player.
He wants to move to a top team in a European league, so it’s not clear what he thinks will happen in the last few days of the window.
Since his time on loan with Alavez wasn’t great, it will be interesting to see who signs the midfielder.
“Why not?” Andy Halliday urges Clement to make a major change for Rangers against Celtic
Andy Halliday has recommended that Rangers manager Philippe Clement think about making a significant formation change for the team’s trip to Celtic the following weekend.
After three rounds of fixtures, the Gers trail Celtic, their bitter rivals, by two points going into their first Old Firm match of the season.
In their recent meetings with Celtic, Rangers has fared poorly too frequently; Halliday thinks this can be improved with a different tactic.
He stated on the Clyde 1 Superscoreboard [26 August] that “Celtic would have identified Rangers’ weaknesses going into the game this weekend, and I don’t really know what Rangers can do to counter that to Celtic.”
Sometimes, someone will call in and ask to “play two up front?” Actually, I think I might give something a try this weekend. The Rangers have a lot of personnel, so why not try a 3-5-2?
Celtic can attack both of your full-backs from a defensive position. Rangers should go with two up top since Celtic will only have two centre halves available. How about using Rabbi Matondo up above?
Halliday responded, “It would be harsh on Tom Lawrence, but he’s showed in Old Firm games that athleticism lets him down,” when it was brought up that it would mean leaving someone out. How about attempting something different?
For Celtic vs. Rangers, Philippe Clement might try something different.
Last weekend, Clement used his tried-and-true 4-2-3-1 against Ross County, and it was a great strategy—albeit against a weak opponent.
Both Matondo and Cyriel Dessers scored twice in the team’s victory, which raised everyone’s spirits.
It would be a huge risk to tear that up, but in recent derbies, Celtic have far too frequently had Rangers under siege.
In the end, a point from Sunday’s match on September 1 would be regarded as a favourable outcome; three points would be even better.
It is much more likely that Clement will start with the same lineup that faced Ross County, injury permitting.
😷 “I think it’s just masking the problems that we’ve got”
🤷♂️ “What are Rangers identifying as Celtic’s weakness just now because I don’t know”
🔵 Billy in Clydebank is fearing that Rangers’ result against Ross County is just papering over the cracks at Ibrox pic.twitter.com/u70mcCIZL5
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) August 26, 2024
Although Matondo, Lawrence, a consistent starter, and Dessers still have their detractors, they will all be feeling very positive following their performance over the weekend.
To make sure there isn’t a five-point difference at the end of the ninety minutes, whoever is chosen just needs to give it their all.
Pundit opinion: Star striker desired to join the Rangers, and Clement attempted to sign him once more
Derek Ferguson claims that Brighton has retaliated against Rangers by striking an agreement with Brest for Abdallah Sima in advance of the deadline.
Although it was not feasible to afford the Senegalese forward earlier in the transfer window, Philippe Clement acknowledged that he wanted to bring him back to Ibrox this season [Rangers Review, 15 July].
After communicating with the attacker, the Belgian thought a deal might be possible later in the summer. However, he has now completed an official loan move to Ligue 1, which comes without a buyout option [Foot Mercato, 20 August].
Ferguson is frustrated that he hasn’t been able to rejoin Rangers, but he thinks Brighton is trying to increase his visibility in a wider market.
In an interview with Ibrox News only, he stated: “Yeah, but I think that’s Brighton pulling rank.” Sima would have been thrilled to be playing for Rangers again in Scotland.
“The supporters adore him. I find him genuinely endearing. He has produced and scored goals during his playing career.
However, Brighton has a player that they most likely want to let go of and receive some cash for.
“So, he moved to what is likely a better league—well, that league is better—over there. He will play football in the Champions League. They must take care of their own needs.
Would he have preferred to be up here, Sima? Yes. Would the manager have cherished having him play for the Rangers? Naturally. He has said very nice things about him.
However, I believe that’s just Brighton pulling rank and trying to get the best deal possible for a player who will be entering the final year of his contract [upon his return] and needs to try and get paid a little bit of money.
Brighton star not signed by Rangers after confirmed departure from Brest
Given that Sima made multiple indications of wanting to return to Glasgow during his 16-goal season with the Light Blues, it isn’t wishful thinking to assume he would have made that decision.
The 23-year-old then posted a message on Instagram on August 23, thanking the supporters and his manager at Ibrox, suggesting that he was still considering a return until his France switch was officially announced.
If he hadn’t planned on returning, the letter probably would have arrived months ago when his first loan expired.
Sima and Clement will therefore be disappointed by the confirmed Brest deal, especially given that Oscar Cortes sustained an injury not long after taking his place for the second time.
View: Rangers projected starting lineup vs. Ross Co.: Clement to bench three players, exit-linked ace to start
When Philippe Clement’s Rangers team plays Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, August 24, he is anticipated to make four changes.
Following their goal-scoring cameos against St Johnstone last weekend, Cyriel Dessers and Ross McCausland are anticipated to return to the starting lineup, along with Connor Barron and Leon Balogun.
After suffering an injury in the Scottish League Cup match, Robin Propper is the biggest doubt to play, with Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo, and Danilo all likely to be left off of Clement’s starting lineup.
Before facing Ross County, Philippe Clement needs to get the Rangers lineup just right.
At Hampden on Saturday, Clement cannot afford to make a mistake in his selection, and the Belgian custodian Jack Butland, who is currently ranked first, provides him with a strong platform on which to build.
After suffering an injury against St Johnstone, Clement would be prudent to avoid taking a chance on Propper in this game. As a result, Balogun, along with John Souttar in central defence, should start in place of the Dutchman.
Due to injuries and a lack of alternatives, the defense’s flanks choose themselves. After receiving a controversial red card against Dynamo Kyiv, Jefte played the entire ninety minutes against Saints and is still on the left side.
Despite rumours of a move elsewhere, Captain James Tavernier is also a clear choice on the right [TEAMtalk, July 19]. Dujon Sterling is expected to continue playing a utility role in midfield for the team.
The absence of an obvious number six and number ten for the Gers leaves Clement in need of versatile options, and Barron is expected to replace the unimpressive Dowell.
Since his £4.3 million transfer from Nordsjaelland was finalised over the summer, Mohamed Diomande has been a constant. He will probably start alongside Barron and Sterling as the most advanced midfield player.
Vaclav Cerny has had a great start to his Glasgow career. He will continue to play on the right even though McCausland replaces him against Saints; minutes later, the young player makes it 2-0.
Although McCausland has earned a start, it will probably come in place of Rabbi Matondo, who is linked to the exit, on the left rather than the right, so that Clement can take advantage of both Cerny’s and his speed out wide.
The most accurate change the Belgian will make up front is to add top scorer Cyriel Dessers back into the lineup. Dessers replaced Danilo on the bench during halftime against St Johnstone.
Although Danilo’s first start of the season after an injury is encouraging, Clement only needs to look to Dessers as his number nine if the Gers are to stay competitive.
Frustrated Rangers player posts a defiant message on Instagram as he strives to become his best again
Please pardon Rangers supporters for feeling uneasy about Brazilian forward Danilo.
The 25-year-old striker has spent the better part of nine months recovering from a serious injury that kept him out of competition.
That’s not precisely what the former Feyenoord striker would have expected following his £6 million summer transfer to Rangers.
Going back to the Ibrox fold in the Premier Sports Cup victory over St Johnstone, it’s possible that the optimism surrounding Danilo’s recuperation was lost amidst the Govan situation.
However, the striker’s medical history, which dates back to a horrific facial injury he suffered against the same opponents the previous season, guarantees that the club’s support isn’t ready to get out of hand.
Danilo has now asked for patience as the devout hitman reiterates his resolve to return to his peak performance by quoting a Bible passage.
Danilo asks for endurance after the Rangers’ comeback.
Danilo may have scored a hat-trick in the first half of the match against the Perthshire club, but there was enough to suggest the striker will get opportunities at Rangers.
The Rangers have the backing of some of the harshest football judges, but the jury will not be out until the Brazilian starts turning away opportunities.
Danilo, unfazed and ever the defiant one, has taken to social media to remind the Rangers supporters to be patient with him while he returns to full fitness.
Romans 8:25, which is cited in the post, states that we must wait patiently for what we hope for in order to obtain it.
Could a Brazilian striker make a difference at Ibrox?
Since the striker has never been healthy enough to truly have an impact on the team, Danilo is somewhat of a forgotten quantity at Rangers.
But the striker did show glimpses of his potential before that serious injury suffered against Hearts in December, which is why Rangers paid such a high price for the hitman.
With 21 appearances (ten starts) and six goals and five assists, Danilo was scoring for the Gers approximately every 166 minutes prior to the injury.
In the coming weeks, Rangers supporters will be hoping to witness the best of the Brazilian, and there is reason for optimism regarding the forward.
Danilo has already demonstrated incredible mental toughness by recovering from his injury and joining the starting lineup.
The next task is to go back to playing at his peak and show Rangers’ supporters that he can make a difference even though they are still not convinced.
Report: Rangers are “open to five sales” in order to finance the final details of their summer rebuild
Rangers will need to sell before they can buy during this transfer window, as Philippe Clement has stated time and time again.
The Belgian manager has occasionally presented a frustrated image while trying to turn around his Ibrox squad on a tight budget, spending every dollar like a prisoner in Govan.
Speaking over the weekend, Clement reiterated that before Rangers can focus on any other targets, they must release players from the team.
The issue is that Clement “cannot hold a gun” to the heads of the players who have been told they can leave the Rangers, as he himself stated.
Leading Scottish football writer Chris Jack has now asserted that Rangers are prepared to let go of at least five players this summer.
Rangers are “open to five departures.”
Chris Jack has been writing about the Rangers team’s exits and the current status of play in the Rangers Review.
Jack mentions five players as being for sale while talking about the tectonic transfer plates that need to move under Ibrox before the team can afford to sign any new players.
First on the list is international playmaker Ioanis Hagi of Romania, who was informed at the start of the summer that Clement had no plans for him.
It has been suggested that the Rangers could sell Hagi for nothing in order to clear space on the wage bill. Hagi spent the previous season on loan at Alavés in La Liga.
Hagi is still competing for the Rangers B team, but it’s still unclear how close the Euro 2024 player is to working out a deal to leave Ibrox.
Todd Cantwell, the English playmaker who has expressed his desire to move on this summer, is also mentioned.
Supporters of the Rangers will be hoping that occurs sooner rather than later.
The other three individuals that Chris Jack brought up are Scott Wright, Ben Davies, and Rabbi Matondo.
Links between Leeds United and Rabbi Matondo were scuttled as soon as they surfaced, and Ben Davies is, in terms of value, among the worst signings in Rangers history.
Despite being a homegrown talent on the team, Scott Wright is in the last year of his contract and has been “offered” several times to play in the lower leagues in England.
Rangers’ window for transfers is still open.
The fact that these five players might still depart Rangers before the transfer window closes demonstrates the extent of this summer’s changes at Ibrox.
Additionally, the severity of the team’s recent season-long deficiencies.
Rangers’ finances have been chronically mismanaged, and the team’s transfer market activities are still under intense scrutiny.
Rangers great Ally McCoist says he is “truly devastated” by the situation the Ibrox team is in this summer.
Numerous previously important first-team players, such as Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, and Kemar Roofe, have already been let go by the Rangers.
Rangers fans have been waiting a long time for this transformative summer as they try to rise above the disappointments of the past few seasons.
Hopefully, we can get these guys out of the team so that we can sign players that Clement has identified in advance of the upcoming season.
Pundit says it “would not surprise you” if Rangers allow a last-minute exit for a Clement regular
Rangers can’t sell James Tavernier right now, but Leanne Crichton thinks the Light Blues would let him go if a last-minute offer came in.
There has been a lot of talk about the Gers captain during the summer transfer window. Reports say Trabzonspor have made several attempts to sign him [Rangers Review, 23 July].
The English player has been a regular in Philippe Clement’s team so far this season, but Go Radio host Crichton thinks the Ibrox board would be swayed by the money his departure could bring in.
She said on The Go Radio Football Show (August 15, 1:04:20): “For example, the talk about James Tavernier has gone pretty quiet.”
“There was a lot of talk about whether he would leave or not. Imagine if Rangers also sold James Tavernier before the end of the transfer window?
“At a time when the players on the pitch aren’t quite good enough and the players on the bench aren’t fit and available, the players who are out don’t look like they’ll be back any time soon, and then there’s James Tavernier, who’s always fit, always available and always on the teamsheet.”
“It’s likely to happen because that’s the kind of choice that wouldn’t surprise rangers right now.” There’s no way they can sell him, but they might if they could get the money for the club.
Will James Tavernier leave Rangers amid rumours of a move to Ibrox?
Even the most pessimistic Rangers fans will agree that Clement can’t afford to lose the Englishman at this point in the window. Fans have been split on Tavernier for a while now.
The current Gers team lacks depth and quality, and they won’t be able to close the gap on Celtic at the top of the table unless more players are added before the second-to-last day of the transfer window.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement
Some people will say that Tavernier is part of the problem and call him a serial loser, but he is one of the few players on Clement’s team who is always healthy and ready to play.
He’s not the same player he was five years ago, but he still scores goals regularly, and his delivery from set pieces is dangerous.
It would have been easy to stop his sale earlier in the summer, but now it is a risk that doesn’t need to be taken. We hope that the Light Blues’ board doesn’t make a choice that they will later regret.
Leeds to sign Rangers attacker – report
Rabbi Matondo, a winger for Rangers, is reportedly wanted by Leeds United, per Football Scotland.
According to the news source, Daniel Farke has expressed “strong” interest in moving permanently or in taking out a first loan with a buyout option as of August 15.
According to rumours, Matondo plans to depart Ibrox before the August 30 deadline, following in the footsteps of players like Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi.
Rabbi Matondo ready to move to Leeds United
Leeds United’s season has clearly gotten off to a difficult start.
They not only lost to Middlesbrough 3-0 in the EFL Cup, but they also only managed a late draw with Portsmouth on the first day of play.
That’s not the best start for a team that is expected to win the league.
Additionally, on August 17, they have a difficult matchup with West Brom coming up.
Although it would always be difficult to recover from Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray’s departures, Farke believes that the most crucial thing to do is to avoid making rash purchases.
For the Rangers in 19 league games last season, Matondo recorded three assists and five goals (FBref). Even though those are some encouraging numbers, the 23-year-old hasn’t exactly made waves in the world.
Farke can change him into a dynamic attacking lineup, but it will require time, which he might not have at this moment.
Considered worse than Lawrence: Clement needs to mercilessly cut loose the 4/10 Rangers dud following their CL no-show
The Champions League group stages of this season will not feature Glasgow Rangers, as they were defeated 2-0 by Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday night.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week, the Ibrox giants, who had to play at Hampden Park, lost 3-1 on aggregate after giving up two goals in the 82nd and 83rd minutes of play.
Now, Philippe Clement’s team must try their luck in the Europa League before returning home to take on St. Johnstone in the League Cup this coming weekend.
After his team’s dismal performance in Europe, the Belgian manager must make some decisions. One player who has to be mercilessly dropped from the starting lineup is Ross McCausland.
The Tuesday struggles of Ross McCausland
With Jefte on the left, Tom Lawrence at number ten, and Cyriel Dessers leading the line, the Northern Ireland international was chosen to start for Rangers on the right flank.
Clement’s choice came as a surprise because the academy graduate had been ineffectual in the first leg as a starter, recording 0 goals and 0 assists, and had been benched for the Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell.
Far worse than Lawrence, the 21-year-old forward failed to justify his spot on the squad. Derek McGregor of the Scottish Sun gave the Welshman a 5/10 player rating, praising his teasing ball into the box before the midfielder lost steam later in the match.
The fact that Clement left the former Derby County player in the game until the 85th minute suggests that, for the most part, he was satisfied with his performance.
Conversely, McCausland had a fruitless first half and was hauled off at halftime. The manager’s decision to substitute the winger at halftime implies that he too thought the performance was lacklustre. The aforementioned McGregor gave the winger a miserable match rating of 4/10.
Instead, Clement, the player, needs to unleash
Following his lack of performance in the Champions League, Clement will now have to mercilessly remove the Northern Irishman from the starting lineup. In his three appearances as a winger, including two starts, he has failed to score or provide an assist.
Vaclav Cerny, on loan from Wolfsburg, has the ability to have a bigger impact in the final third from a right wing position, so the former Monaco manager needs to get him back into the lineup.
The Czech international has had a great start to life in the Premiership this season, as the table above shows; the same cannot be said of McCausland.
It was unexpected to see the 26-year-old star left out of the starting lineup at Hampden Park after he produced a stunning assist for Dessers with an amazing inswinging cross in the first leg against Dynamo Kyiv.
After struggling and outperforming Lawrence on Tuesday night, McCausland ought to be cut from the squad to make room for Cerny.
Big match verdict: empty seats at Hampden indicate apathy on the part of Rangers fans, and things have just gotten much worse
The city did not experience the Ibrox atmosphere as the Light Blues were eliminated from the Champions League.
a sound barrier. When Dynamo Kyiv last visited Glasgow to play Rangers, that’s what they encountered. The Ibrox punters who were there probably still have it ringing in their ears almost forty years later.
The sound was overwhelming. And generally acknowledged as one of the best stadium atmospheres ever experienced, if not THE best. It’s unbeatable for devotees of a particular vintage. The triumph over RB Leipzig on the way to the Europa League Final two years ago will be cited by the younger generation. Or the legendary victory over Parma in 1999, when big Tony Vidmar had the crowd in stitches.
However, no. When asked about the loudest roar they have ever heard while watching Rangers, many people will cite Dynamo Kyiv on September 30, 1987. That night, there were astonishingly just 44,500 in the ground. The guests, however, were unable to hear themselves think. Neither could Graeme Souness or his team in a thrilling second-leg European Cup match.
The audience contributed in that way. Against all the odds, the Rangers defeated the Dynamo team, winning 2-1 overall. Keep in mind, that team was full of USSR superstars. It was therefore hard to avoid drawing comparisons when they appeared in Glasgow’s south side last night. Here in the main stand stood Alexei Mickhailichenko, who had played for both clubs as well as Dynamo in the past.
But there’s no denying that things have changed. To begin with, the Rangers aren’t actually at Ibrox. Furthermore, the atmosphere of the recollections of ’87 was always going to be in stark contrast. Last night, Hampden was not even half full. Their brief, pre-season jaunt was bound to turn off some fans. Not to mention the customary expenses.
But what was really noticeable was how many seats were empty in the old Celtic end. Does it go beyond that? Is this fan base becoming more and more apathetic? Who can blame them if there is, considering the Ibrox debacle, a lack of transfer funds, a glaringly unbalanced and untalented squad, and an overall lack of clarity regarding the club’s true direction?
And what about last night’s noise? It never came close to matching the volume of Kyiv’s previous visit here. The teams did not make the sound of an aeroplane taking off when they came out of the Hampden tunnel. The muted cheers of the fans were drowned out by Simply the Best. In contrast to 1987, the players were responsible for igniting the crowd rather than the other way around.
There was a quiet hush over Hampden after the opening song from the home end. The players could be heard yelling at one another. Barely a second passed thirty-seven years ago without a clatter of some kind.
Even now, when you see Mark Falco score the first goal by taking advantage of a mistake made by the Kyiv keeper, you’ll get a tingling sensation in the back of your neck. And the roof fell when Ally McCoist met a cross from Trevor Francis at the Copland Road end, tricking and confusing the goalie with his header. Very tingling in the spine.
One more recollection from that Dynamo match is Souness’s fly strategies prior to the ball being kicked. Recall how he told his ground crew to close in the lines and narrow the Ibrox pitch in an effort to neutralise Kyiv’s dangerous wingers?
The way the Rangers used that move to exhaust their opponents was quite effective. Strangely enough, last night the punters were clamouring for Vaclav Cerny, the Czech wide player, to provide them some width. However, the atmosphere was further deflated when Philippe Clement chose to start him on the bench. Gers’ doctors reportedly told the Belgian that there would be too great a risk.
If that’s the case, though, how come Cerny, who had been tearing Motherwell to pieces over the weekend, was fired after just 55 minutes? To the delight of the home support, he was eventually introduced at halftime.
And after Jefte’s absurdly harsh red card, they finally raised their voices and stood up in 53 minutes, expressing their sheer frustration and defiance. They stood up once more after James Tavernier won a corner, and Clement motioned for them to stand up with his arms.
They were definitely needed by their team. However, they were unable to stop Dynamo from scoring twice in the latter stages of the game to send Rangers reeling. The farewell had a significant effect. However, in the clear, their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have been dashed before the play-off phase.
The mood was set in 1987 when Souness and his team believed they could win the European Cup heading into their match against Kyiv. It was an optimistic support for the Rangers. Now? Simply put, that is untrue. Actually, it’s the exact opposite. The events of this summer at Ibrox have only added to the pessimism of the punters. And the outcome from last night made it much worse.
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