Rangers

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Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media before Rangers host Hibs in the Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the key lines:

• Rohl insists he will definitely still be Rangers head coach next season and says the criticism he is facing is a "motivation to do it better and find solutions".

• The German says he has received assurances from the hierarchy he will remain in charge: "The last 48 hours was unbelievable, the support from the board, everyone around me, seeing a lot of positive things. But we are also critical of ourselves. I think there's no question mark."

• Rohl says it is "normal" he is facing questions on his future after losing "three games in an important time of the year".

• ⁠He is planning a lot of change in the summer and says Rangers need to bring quality players in and "more leaders" to "set standards "on and off the pitch.

• He adds: "The team must be very strong and for this we need different profiles, and we are very clear in which direction we want to move forward."

• The Ibrox boss is optimistic the owners will invest again in the summer, having spent significantly already: "I cannot guarantee you how much, but I can guarantee you that they are really open to go again forward because they see the potential at the moment, they see really what we missed, and what we can do with the right signings."

• Rohl admits he is hurting amid the three-game losing streak that has consigned Rangers to a third-place finish, noting the contrast from a couple of weeks ago: "Maybe 16 days ago the full stadium was in my name and at the moment it's a bit less. But I understand also the big disappointment, especially when you come so close to a point where everyone believes and we are confident that we can win something, and then you drop in this moment like this, then it's hard."

• Rangers are unhappy with refereeing decisions in the Old Firm game - they believe Celtic's equaliser should have been ruled offside and Alistair Johnston sent off for his challenge on Mikey Moore - and are speaking with the Scottish FA today.

• Rohl adds: "They have conversations with the federation, with the refs. I think this is important and this is also where we have to be, we cannot accept everything in these moments, two decisions with big impacts in this game."

• Rohl knows this season has not been good enough, with Rangers having too many "ups and downs", but is "convinced" he can make them winners.

• He stressed the importance of winning the remaining two games: "The last impression before summer break should be a very positive one."

• Rohl wants a "great goodbye" in the final home game for departing skipper James Tavernier: "He deserves it. He did a lot of things for the club."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Here we are. Another big game, another complete failure.

And we went ahead after eight minutes as well. Two things can be true: Rangers' performance at Celtic Park wasn't good enough and neither Nick Walsh nor John Beaton had good games either.

For Celtic's equaliser three players were offside yet the goal stood - see Mikey Moore's goal at Dundee.

Then Alistair Johnston's tackle on Moore merited a red card - see the previous weekend with Jamie McGrath on Johnston.

However, for Rangers this season has been a shambles. Finishing third when you had it in your hands before the split, no cup finals, European embarrassment.

A clearing of the decks is required in the summer and experience is required right through the spine of the team. I feel if Danny Rohl is to stay, that is ultra critical for next season.

Yet again it's another failed season.

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Rangers are ready to reignite their interest in AEK Athens left-back James Penrice, formerly of Hearts and Livingston. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Hearts' Claudio Braga could win an awards double after he was shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year award.

The Portuguese forward is nominated alongside teammate Lawrence Shankland and Motherwell duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise.

The manager of the year award could also go to Tynecastle or Fir Park, with Derek McInnes and Jens Berthel Askou both nominated.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn and Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill are also on the shortlist.

Four Scottish players are in the running for young player of the year - Falkirk striker Barney Stewart, Kilmarnock's on-loan Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, Dundee defender Luke Graham and Dunfermline's Andrew Tod.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, 17 May.

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Former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday said it is "only natural for some Rangers fans to have their doubts" over head coach Danny Rohl after a third straight league defeat ended their title hopes.

Off the back of losses against Motherwell and Hearts, Rohl's side went in front against Celtic on Sunday before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Halliday said: "It's the manner of their last two performances, in particular. When Hearts gave them a punch on the nose at Tynecastle, they didn't respond and it was the same after Celtic gave them a one-two inside four minutes.

"He doesn't like questions about mentality but it's no surprise these questions are coming.

"I think there is quality in that squad and, at the moment, Rohl is struggling to get the best out of them."

Rangers have nothing but pride left to play for now, while their bitter rivals have eyes on yet another league and cup double.

Not for the first time, a consequential summer is in store around Ibrox way.

"I think he will be backed," Halliday said of Rohl. "But there's no Champions League pot, or a guaranteed later round in the Europa League, so it wouldn't surprise me if there's a set figure leading up to the qualifiers and then it depends on how that goes.

"The difficulty with that is you're talking about the last two or three weeks of the window, when a lot of people have done their business and you might have to pay over the odds."

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Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez admits there was a lack of fight in their Old Firm derby defeat by Celtic on Sunday.

Danny Rohl's side lost 3-1 after taking the lead at Celtic Park - a third consecutive loss which ended their Premiership title hopes.

Rangers must now hope Celtic beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final to stop them sliding from the Europa League into the Conference League qualifiers at the start of next season.

"I couldn't pinpoint an issue, I just feel like maybe we needed to have a bit more fight," Fernandez said.

"We knew it was going to be a fight. There were moments in games where we had fight.

"But in football there are going to be moments where you are going to struggle and go under in the 90 minutes.

"I feel that, as a young team if we are going to grow, if you are going to struggle you stick together and all defend together. Then, when you come out of it, you have opportunities to score. That is something we have to improve on."

Rangers went into half-time level on Sunday, but conceded twice in four second-half minutes before Celtic saw the result through.

It was another example of Rangers failing to deliver a 90-minute performance and Fernandez understands why pundits and supporters might question the players' mentality.

"This is going to happen when you lose three games in a row," the 24-year-old said.

"I feel like when it comes to the point where you could potentially win the title people are going to question your mentality.

"Look, I don't think it has anything to do with the mentality, I just think there are moments where we need to do better.

"Sometimes, this happens in football, sometimes you come under duress, and we just didn't come through it. I wouldn't say it has anything to do with mentality."

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers suffered a third straight league defeat and had their title hopes ended at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Alex: This was a weak performance. It doesn't matter how well they start as soon as the opposition score the team falls apart. No passion, fight, aggression, determination, absolutely nothing to give the fanbase any hope whatsoever.

Graeme: Can't keep sacking managers and spending millions on players. Should give coach and players more time to develop together. Can then dominate again like 40 years ago.

Ian: The truth is at least nine players won't be here in the summer - nearly all of Russell Martin's signings. Danny Rohl needs to buy at least four defenders and three midfielders if he stays. The jury is out.

Lewis: Rohl has to go. When the going has got tough his team have folded without a fight and his 'cup finals' have all been lost. I don't see any signs that anything would be different next season. Bite the bullet and change now or regret.

Nick: Rohl has to go. Being better than the worst manager Rangers have ever had is not reason enough to stick with someone who is clearly out of his depth.

Drew: We got exactly what we deserved. The defence leaves a lot to be desired, they were slow to shut down Maeda who I thought was man of the match. In the famous words of Jock Wallace - no character and no fight. The players should take a long hard look at themselves.

Billy: As bad a kick in the gut as I can recall in 60 years supporting Rangers. Rangers finishing third with their budget is unacceptable. The Celtic fans chanting 'Danny, Danny Rohl' means he's already on a shoogly peg. Fail to qualify for Europa League and he's toast.

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Manager Danny Rohl is facing a "personal review" from chairman Andrew Cavenagh with Rangers missing out on a top-two spot in the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Record), external

Bailey Rice is set to leave Rangers this summer and Aston Villa are among the Premier League sides interested in signing the 19-year-old midfielder. (Football Insider), external

A sensational Daizen Maeda overhead kick helped propel Celtic within a point of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, as a compelling Old Firm derby ended with Rangers condemned to a third-place finish.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl admits "it hurts" and "makes us angry" that his side have not only slipped out of the title race but will now finish third.

"It is a very disappointing result," he tells BBC Scotland. "It was very competitive from both sides.

"We started well, but then it's football and to take something everything has to be perfect and in some moments we made some wrong decisions."

Asked why his side collapsed after the break, Rohl says: "It is a side who can be on the front foot at home - they scored at the right moment and created the energy and we lose 3-1."

The German says his side "have to learn very quick" from their poor finish to the season.

"We had a great position before the split and this is hard to take and we have to improve and develop quick," he adds.

"We have to learn in these key moments to be clinical and play without mistakes. We will learn from this.

"I will take a lot from the last three games to be prepared the best way possible. I will lead this group and I am clear about what we have to improve."

Findlay Curtis, currently with Kilmarnock, could yet agree another loan move away from Rangers next season as summer signings might keep the 19-year-old winger down the pecking order at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Cyriel Dessers says Rangers were prepared to let him find a new club long before his transfer to Panathinaikos last summer despite the 31-year-old feeling he had a good goal contribution, but he suggests his replacement, Youssef Chermiti, is a "complete" striker. (The Herald), external

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was left damaged by his loan spell with Rangers, according to Tony Mowbray, who believes he helped restore the 23-year-old's confidence at Sunderland. (The Herald), external

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl insists his full focus is on the Ibrox club as a report suggested Bundesliga strugglers Wolfsburg have placed the 37-year-old on a shortlist to replace veteran manager Dieter Hecking. (The Scotsman), external

Scott Arfield has revealed he sought advice from former Rangers manager Michael Beale before his dugout debut as Livingston's caretaker boss. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rangers left-back Tuur Rommens insists Rangers will play with "full force" in their Scottish Premiership trip to face Celtic on Sunday, looking to ensure they can achieve Champions League football next season.

Defeat against leaders Hearts left Rangers with little hope of winning the league title, now trailing the Tynecastle side by seven points with just three games remaining.

Celtic are four points ahead of the Ibrox side with defeat guaranteeing that Rangers will finish in third place and out of the equation for Champions League football.

When asked if he felt if Rangers can reproduce the first-half performance against Hearts, when they led 1-0, for the full match and beat Celtic, Rommens said: "I don't know, but I think we go in full force and of course we think that we can take something there.

"It's a big stadium, great atmosphere, of course it's a derby, so it will be intense.

"If you play Celtic or another team, it's always about the next game and I think also for the supporters, for ourselves, for the club, it's a big one on Sunday, so we just need to win also for this Champions League place.

"It's a big thing to finish this season in a good way and just win these three games and get the belief for next year. Just go full on next year."

The Belgian insists the squad are fully behind head coach Danny Rohl, who has faced criticism this week following back-to-back defeats against Motherwell and Hearts.

"Yes, for sure," he said. "It's been intense. The result [against Hearts] was not good, everybody knows that.

"The mentality in this group is great. We have no issues with that. I don't think it's about mentality, maybe a little bit of focus but I don't think it's with mentality.

"When you are one point behind two games ago and you lost the two games after, of course, it's an opportunity that you lost. You cannot say anything else."

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Former Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers, 31, reveals how "confusing" messages about his future at the club played a part in his departure to Panathinaikos. (Record), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has shaken off a foot knock. Callum Osmand is working his way back to match fitness following hamstring surgery.

Jota (knee), Colby Donovan (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) and Tomas Cvancara (groin) remain out, with the latter out for the rest of the season.

Gers defender John Souttar missed Monday's game against Hearts with a knock. Danny Rohl will almost certainly makes changes to his side.

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Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday has announced he will retire at the end of this season.

The 34-year-old has made just two Premiership appearances this season - both as a substitute - following five matches in the Scottish League Cup.

He started his senior career with Livingston, before permanent spells with Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Rangers and Hearts, before signing for Motherwell in 2024. He has also played on loan for Walsall, Blackpool and Azerbaijani side Gabala in an 18-year playing career.

Halliday won the Scottish Championship twice - with Rangers in 2016 and with Hearts in 2021.

"I feel that time is right for me to step away from the playing side of the sport I adore," Halliday said in a statement on the Motherwell website.

"There have been some ups and downs along the way, but when I look back on my career, I have zero regrets. So many players may not get to experience some of the things I've managed over the years, and for that, I'm grateful.

"Being a footballer isn't easy. It's required a lot of sacrifice over the years, which is all part of what I signed up for, but for my loved ones, I owe them my deepest thank you. I simply wouldn't have been able to get to where I got to without them. Their support has been incredible on this journey, and I don't know what I would have done without them all.

"I want to thank my teammates and staff at Livingston, Middlesbrough, Walsall, Blackpool, Bradford City, Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell for being a part of my journey. I've met some friends for life through this sport, and at every club I hold the fondest of memories that will stick with me. Thank you.

"Despite this announcement and my appreciation for all the kind messages I've received recently, I don't want any distractions for the boys as they look to finish this incredible season on a high. We're all desperate to close out as strongly as possible and gather as many points as we can, starting tomorrow against Hearts. Thank you to the Motherwell fans for their support all season long, and let's get stuck into these last three games."

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Danny Rohl says Rangers owe their supporters a derby win on Sunday but are not motivated by the chance to derail Celtic's title bid.

The third-place Ibrox side are set for another trophyless season after losing 2-1 at leaders Hearts on Monday night to languish seven points off the top with just three games remaining.

But they can still have a big say in the race as they visit rivals Celtic, who are three points behind Hearts.

"I think it's a special game for us," said head coach Rohl.

"The message to my players is we have a big responsibility in general for the last three games.

"I think nobody needs extra motivation to go into this game. We want to make our supporters and fans proud and that means we have to deliver.

"I think for this game you don't need motivation. For us it's about winning games and I think it's about more than just [trying to] stop someone else winning a title.

"For us it's about making our supporters proud and that means delivering a good result and hopefully three points."

Rohl has faced intense criticism from fans in the wake of back-to-back defeats that have all but ended Rangers' title bid.

The 37-year-old German, who has also been linked with a return to manage Wolfsburg in his homeland, is adamant he is staying at Ibrox and that he retains the owners' backing after talks this week.

On his conversations with the board, Rohl said: "Fully, fully committed. I feel it every day, the support.

"I feel the conversations we had. We spoke so much about what we want to change for the summer. I feel that I'm in the right place with the right people with a lot of motivation, positive energy to bring this club, not just to a one-hit wonder, back to to a consistent club who can win titles in a row.

"This is also important to understand. A one-hit wonder for us, it's nice, but what we are looking for is that you consistently play for the title. And this is my job, this is our job, and this is why I'm looking forward."