Rangers

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart says Rangers "must create space" for Findlay Curtis to get minutes at Ibrox next season.

The young winger has impressed on loan at Kilmarnock this term, scoring in Saturday's vital win over Dundee United.

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Rangers' desperation to beat Hearts in a "must-win match" could prove to be their undoing in a Tynecastle cracker, says former defender Dave McPherson.

McPherson played for both Rangers and Hearts and believes the latter "have the edge" in what he is predicting to be an enthralling occasion on Monday (17:30 BST).

With the Ibrox side four points behind the leaders with just three games to play, McPherson believes they have to come away with three points to remain in Scottish Premiership title contention.

Speaking on the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast, McPherson said: "It's going to be a fantastic match. Both teams need to go out and try to win the game. It's a must-win match for Rangers.

"The way Hearts have approached matches this season, they go out to win and have players who can score goals. They don't have anything to fear.

"Rangers have to win, they have to come out and that could leave them exposed. Their defence certainly haven't covered themselves in glory this season."

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Mikey Moore of Rangers won the SPFL young player of the year at Sunday evening's PFA Scotland awards.

The on-loan Tottenham winger, 18, has scored six goals in 28 Premiership appearances this season.

He has made 43 appearances across all competitions, laying on three assists.

The England Under-19 international topped the voting, with Dundee defender Luke Graham, Falkirk striker Barney Stewart and Aberdeen midfielder Findlay Marshall (loaned to Arbroath) making up the shortlist.

Thelo Aasgaard is highly unlikely to leave Rangers this summer despite suggestions they could cut their losses on the 23-year-old midfielder. (Football Insider), external

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Greg Taylor's PAOK handed Rangers a potential Champions League qualifying boost after beating Greek title rivals Olympiakos 3-1 on Sunday.

The defeat leaves the reigning champions six points adrift of leaders AEK Athens with three games remaining.

It means Rangers are now favourites to take the final available automatic qualifying place in next season's league stage of Europe's premier club competition - but only if they first win the Scottish title.

Danny Rohl's side, who visit leaders Hearts on Sunday, sit third, four points behind the Edinburgh side and reigning champions Celtic with four games of the Scottish Premiership left to play.

The extra automatic place in the Champions League's league stage is a result of all four of this season's semi-finalists - Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - having already qualified via their domestic leagues and ensuring the reigning champions do not have to qualify.

That extra space goes to the next highest-placed side in the European club coefficient list, which Olympiakos lead ahead of Rangers and Shakhtar Donetsk, with Celtic and Hearts further down the rankings.

The Ukrainian league leaders are three points behind Rangers and could yet overtake the Ibrox side as they remain in the Conference League semi-finals.

However, they trail Crystal Palace 3-0 after their first leg, with a victory earning two points for a victory, one for a draw and an additional 0.5 for progressing to the next round.

Meanwhile, former Celtic left-back Taylor was an unused substitute for PAOK, who were beaten by OFI Crete in last week's Greek Cup final, as their victory took them above Olympiakos into second place on goal difference in Greece's title play-off stage.

Former Hearts left-back James Penrice was a half-time substitute for AEK as they drew 0-0 away to fourth-placed Panathinaikos, who had defenderJavi Hernandez sent off after just 17 minutes.

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Mohamed Diomande believes Rangers will need to produce their best performance of the season to beat William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts on Monday night.

With four fixtures remaining, Danny Rohl's side head to Tynecastle four points behind the Jambos and with the title out of their hands following a damaging 3-2 defeat by Motherwell at Ibrox last weekend.

Asked if Rangers will need to put in their best display of the campaign to give their title hopes a shot in the arm, midfielder Diomande said: "Yes we will. We need to put on a massive performance and work hard.

"It might not come easy for us, but we'll do everything to win the game. I believe we will win the game. We might not just win games by doing what the coach taught us or the tactical things we work on before.

"It will depend on ourselves. If Hearts or the other teams are going to play dirty, we need to stand up. Maybe we don't have to think about the tactical play and just fight.

"If that's what we need to win the game, we have to do it. It's about character and standing up for ourselves. It won't come easy. Fighting for it will be the most important thing."

The Ivory Coast international admitted the home defeat to Motherwell "wasn't the best" but says his side can't give up now.

"We have four more games to play that we're looking to win," he said. "We're really motivated to do so.

"It's disappointing because we know far behind we were, 13 points (when Rohl took over last October).

"We came back to one and now it's four again. We know what's happened before and we don't have many games left. Every minute will be very important now. Last Sunday, the first 45 were very disappointing.

"But we're still in it so we'll do everything to beat our direct opponents, who are also trying to win the league, to be champions."

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Hearts hope to have at least one of Harry Milne (calf) or Cammy Devlin (muscle) back after injury, but Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof (both hamstring), Tomas Magnusson, Ageu (both thigh) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) remain out.

Gers left-back Tuur Rommens has returned to training and Danny Rohl will assess his possible involvement.

Striker Ryan Naderi is making progress but remains doubtful, while defender John Souttar is nursing a knock but should make it.

Robbie Ure, whose goals have helped Sirius to the summit of the Swedish top flight, dreams of a return to first club Rangers one day - and a call-up by Scotland, although the 22-year-old striker is not ruling out playing for Ukraine instead. (The Herald), external

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith doubts whether the Premier League leaders would be interested in Rangers centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez after the 24-year-old has had just one good season at Ibrox. (The Scotsman), external

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin knows Monday's game against Hearts is "do or die" for their title hopes and understands their will be questions around the players' mentality until they win another title.

When head coach Danny Rohl arrived back in October the Ibrox club were 13 points off league leaders Hearts and had cut that gap down to just a point before last weekend's defeat to Motherwell.

Now, the Glasgow club are four points off the top with four to play but could once again narrow that gap to a point with a win at Tynecastle on Monday.

"It's not nice, especially when we've worked so hard to come back to that position," Raskin said.

"That's the thing that is even more frustrating for us. But like I say, we can't go back to that [Motherwell] game, it's done. So now we need to focus on Hearts.

"We know it's a kind of do or die game. It's either we win and we are in it or we lose and it's going to be very tough.

"So we all know, it's very clear for everyone. We have to win over there if want our chances to keep increasing.

"If we don't believe in ourselves then no-one else is going to believe in us. So first of all we need to believe we can do it.

"We know we can do it. We've shown it during the season. It's just now we have to put the last effort into the last four games and give some extra to go and get the win."

Hearts are searching for their first league title since 1960 while Rangers last won it in 2020-21, since then Glasgow rivals Celtic have dominated the Scottish top flight.

And Raskin admits Rangers need to win a trophy to silence any doubts.

"Like you say, until we win the big thing I think that's going to always be there," he said of questions around Rangers' mentality.

"But I don't think we can talk about mentality when a team comes back from 13 points behind to a position where you can still win the title.

"So it's a bit, I won't say unfair, but like you say, until we win the big thing it's always going to be a question mark.

"But we just keep focusing on ourselves and what we need to do to go and win it.

"And no matter what people say, we don't focus on that. We just focus on how do we win the next game? How do we get better for the next game and that's it."

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Former Hearts and Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday suggests Rangers may have to "throw caution to the wind" at Tynecastle on Monday.

The Motherwell midfielder, who played for both Rangers and Hearts, feels Emmanuel Longelo's late goal against Danny Rohl's side last weekend has totally changed to dynamic ahead of Monday's game.

The sides had been level at Ibrox with 20 minutes to play on Sunday but Longelo's 90th minute goal took all three points for Jens Berthel Askou's team and pushed Rangers four points behind the league leaders.

With that in mind, Halliday says Rangers' title challenge will be over if they don't win on Monday.

"I think it's done for Rangers absolutely," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It'll then go to seven points between Rangers and Hearts with only nine points remaining. So they would absolutely be out of it.

"Rangers getting a point at home to Motherwell, you can't say it's a good result because they needed to win that game but I do think that that goal by Emmanuel Longelo in the last minute completely changes things.

"If that finishes a draw, then Rangers are only three points behind Hearts with a better goal difference going to Tynecastle. So even a draw in that respect, I still think they're in the race because there's three games to go. It only takes Hearts to lose one, Rangers to lose one.

"So I think that it's a game that Rangers have to win and it will be really interesting to see how they respond to that. If it is 1-1 or 0-0 with 10 minutes to go, for me I think they have to completely throw caution to the wind to try and win the game.

"Does that then suit Hearts to then try hit them on the counter attack with the likes of Pierre Landry Kabore that will no doubt come off the bench with his pace towards the end.

"I think it's going to be a fascinating game but without doubt it's one that Rangers have to win to stay in this race."

Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are all pushing to secure the signing of Rangers' 19-year-old Scottish midfielder Bailey Rice. (Teamtalk), external

Rangers are unhappy the SPFL have backed Celtic in the clubs' ticketing row over next Sunday's derby match at Celtic Park, with the Ibrox club faced with the decision whether or not to take up an allocation on condition the Union Bears supporters group do not attend. (Record), external

And former Rangers manager and captain Barry Ferguson fears a return to no away fans at future Old Firm games. (Herald - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been delighted with "role model" Youssef Chermiti's development in the past six months.

The 21-year-old striker failed to hit the ground running following his £8m move from Everton last summer, scoring just once in his first 18 games under Russell Martin and then Rohl.

But Chermiti has found form with 11 goals in the following 19 outings - including eight in his past eight league games - and is set to lead the line again in Monday night's crucial visit to leaders Hearts.

"Honestly, for me, Youssef is the role model for our development from October to now," Rohl said.

"I think he had a really difficult time in October, November, and maybe if you ask people now, nobody will say he should be on the bench.

"You see how hard he works for the group in every single game at the moment. He scores goals, he is involved in dangerous situations, he is outstanding in training at the moment, he really improved and this is fantastic to see.

"We try and support him all the time and it was important for us in some moments to keep him on the pitch and protect him. It is what he gives me and gives the team back.

"He shows a big, big character and what is also important, especially at our club, you have to understand what it means. If you work hard and you bring a lot of effort, the outcome will come. This is a good example.

"Youssef did really well and I am really happy to have him here. Hopefully he scores more goals and he has big courage. In big games he is always pressing on the pitch. This is good to have."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Rangers manager Danny Rohl has been talking to the media before a pivotal Premiership game against table-toppers Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday evening.

Here are the key points:

• Rohl says his team will have to play to 100% of their capabilities against Hearts: "We need 100% to take the points. We can't play at 95% or for 45 minutes… we need to make good decisions in both directions."

• He expects Tynecastle to be "on fire" as Hearts "fight for something historical". Rohl says Derek McInnes' team will be going "all-in" and Rangers will be "ready to fight".

• Rohl spoke of the importance of the 50-50 duels at Tynecastle. "We also have to ask for the ball, be active, smart and organised." He stressed Rangers cannot give away "stupid fouls" in dangerous areas, which would be "gifting opportunities" to Hearts.

• Rangers have "four finals to go" and the Ibrox boss praised his players for their "outstanding spirit" in training in the wake of a hugely disappointing and damaging loss to Motherwell last Sunday.

• Rohl singled out Yousef Chermiti for praise as a "role model of our development from October until now". The striker had a "really difficult time in October and November but now nobody says he should be on the bench. He's outstanding in training and a big, big character".

• Tuur Rommens is back training. "Let's see about Monday night," says the manager. "He's just had his first training session." Ryan Naderi has also resumed training and might be available.

• Commenting on the vexed business of Rangers fans potentially being locked out of Celtic Park, Rohl says there should be supporters from both sides at every game of football. All he can do is "cross my fingers and hope".

Lewis Ferguson won't join Rangers even if he leaves Bologna in the summer, according to his dad Derek. (Daily Record, external)

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Kilmarnock have signed back-up Rangers goalkeeper Kieran Wright on an emergency seven-day loan.

The 27-year-old's last first-team appearance came more than a year ago during a loan spell at Airdrieonians.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek made his comeback from heart surgery in last weekend's defeat at Aberdeen where Kelle Roos was on the visitors' bench.

At his media conference on Thursday, manager Neil McCann spoke of injury concerns but would not name players.

Second-bottom Kilmarnock host Dundee United on Saturday.

"The club thanks Rangers for their co-operation in allowing the deal to happen smoothly and swiftly," Killie said.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

After last weekend's defeat to Motherwell, Rangers surely cannot afford to lose against Hearts on Monday evening if they want to keep their title chances alive.

Having mounted a comeback from two down in their previous outing to thump Falkirk 6-3, Danny Rohl's side were unable to deliver a similar escape act against the Steelmen, going down 3-2 and slipping to third.

The first of four remaining games comes at Tynecastle. Win and they'll move within a point of Hearts. But lose and the deficit will stretch to a chasm of seven.

Could Youssef Chermiti be the man to make the difference for Rangers?

Since arriving from Everton for £8m last summer the 21-year-old - who has scored 12 goals in 26 Premiership appearances - has performed only in flashes and faced criticism for his missed chances.

He has not struggled against Hearts though. In fact, one third of Chermiti's Premiership goals have come against Derek McInnes' men.

In two defeats and one win Rangers have netted five against Hearts this season - and Chermiti has scored four of them, with the other a Michael Steinwender own goal.

The Portuguese striker's hat-trick in the 4-2 Ibrox victory over Hearts in February was a glimpse of the lethal finishing and dynamic forward play he has shown too infrequently.

Across his three games against Hearts this season Chermiti has had eight shots - the most of any Rangers player and the same number as opposing striker Lawrence Shankland in one fewer meeting.

Chermiti has scored four of his five big chances against the Tynecastle club and is averaging a goal every 39.5 minutes.

He has vastly outperformed his xG (expected goals) of 1.76 across the three games.

If Rangers are to take all three points from Tynecastle on Monday, Chermiti could be the difference.

• Rangers suffered their first defeat in 17 league games last time out against Motherwell (W12 D4) though haven't lost back-to-back matches in the Scottish Premiership since March 2018 under Graeme Murty.

• Hearts have won four of their six league games against Celtic and Rangers this season (D1 L1); the only side ever to win five league games against the two Old Firm clubs in a single campaign are Aberdeen, who have done so on three occasions: 1977-78, 1979-80 and 1982-83, all under Alex Ferguson.

• Rangers have lost two of their three league meetings with Hearts this season; only in 1985-86 have they ever been beaten three times by the Gorgie side in a single league campaign.

• Hearts have won their past five home league games, last enjoying a longer winning run at Tynecastle in the top flight from August to December 2005 (eight in a row).

• One third of Youssef Chermiti's Premiership goals have come against Hearts (four of 12). The last Rangers player to score five league goals against a single opponent in a season was Fashion Sakala versus Motherwell in 2021-22, while the last player for any club to score five in a Scottish Premiership season against Hearts was Scott Sinclair in 2016-17.

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has urged his former club to sign Leeds United striker Joel Piroe this summer. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson says he will be "absolutely raging" if fans of the Ibrox club are barred from Celtic Park for next month's Old Firm clash. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish football gossip

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Following a damaging home defeat to Motherwell, Danny Rohl has plenty to ponder with Rangers' Scottish Premiership title hopes hanging by a thread.

A trip to face league leaders Hearts is being billed as a must-win fixture for the Ibrox side, who sit four points off the summit with four games remaining.

But how should the German head coach approach the Tynecastle showdown?

Having seemingly settled on a 4-2-2-2 shape, Sunday's loss to Jens Berthel Askou's side has thrown Rohl's preferred system into question.

In a sensational first-half performance from the Steelmen, Rangers were toyed with and were fortunate to head into the interval just two goals down.

Motherwell were able to outnumber Rohl's midfield and cut through the heart of his team, with Emmanuel Longelo and Tawanda Maswanhise deployed as wide forwards to pin back the home side's full-backs.

Although Rangers were ultimately undone late on, a half-time switch to a 4-3-3 allowed them to be more compact in central areas, while the introduction of Mikey Moore gave them far more threat in attack.

The Tottenham youngster's minutes have been carefully managed lately following fitness issues, but fans of the Ibrox club will be desperate to see the teenager start at Tynecastle.

Rohl's 4-2-2-2 system worked well for Rangers in their 4-2 win over Hearts in February, but that was with striker Ryan Naderi fit to partner Youssef Chermiti and left-back Tuur Rommens available.

The fitness of the duo who missed Sunday's loss could determine Rohl's decision-making, with his team likely needing a victory against a side who remain unbeaten at home in the league this season to thrust themselves back into contention.

"We have to just look at the next game - Sunday has passed," Rangers podcaster Scott Cameron said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It was disappointing. It was another Jekyll and Hyde Rangers performance, but we go to Tynecastle on Monday and we can win at Tynecastle.

"Admittedly, Hearts have got a fantastic home record, but I think the approach has to be to go out and win the game and then take it from there.

"We've blinked first, but we have to bounce back with three points."