Rangers

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Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin has been included in Rudi Garcia's Belgium squad for the World Cup in the Americas this summer.

The 25-year-old, who made his Red Devils debut last year under Garcia, has 11 caps and featured in all but one of their World Cup qualifiers.

Raskin netted his first senior international goal during the 6-0 win over Kazakhstan last September.

Belgium will face Croatia and Tunisia in two friendly matches at the start of next month before heading to the finals where they are in Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

The midfielder has made 50 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists, this season for Rangers, who have finished third in the Premiership and failed to win a trophy.

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• Rangers have lost four consecutive league matches for only the second time in the club's history, after a run of five successive defeats from October to November 1983.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, Rangers have only lost their final league game in one of the past 17 seasons (W9 D7), a 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock in 2018-19.

• Falkirk have lost just one of their past five home league games against Rangers (W2 D2), although that was their most recent, a 6-3 defeat in April.

• Rangers have only lost one of their past 48 top-flight matches against Falkirk (W39 D8), a 1-0 defeat in December 2006 under Paul Le Guen.

• Falkirk have lost four of their past five league games (W1), including both of their latest two. They are yet to lose three in a row in the league this season, last doing so in the top flight in March 2010.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media before Rangers visit Falkirk for their final game of the season on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• Rohl stands by his decision not to start departing skipper James Tavernier against Hibs on Wednesday, saying he had to make the decision not through emotion but what was "best for the team and the club."

• It was his wish to give Tavernier a "proper send-off", but the Rangers boss says he was "very clear and open to him" and told the 34-year-old he wouldn't be starting "unless the situation [with his fitness] changed overnight".

• He adds: "If you ask me what was in my head for this day, it was first to take three points, win a game, see Tav with his family walking in, take the plaque which he deserved, make a walk around the stadium and then finally get some minutes on the pitch. If it's a starter or sub, this was for me. In the case of how I spoke with him, clearly, I gave him a suggestion."

• Rohl confirmed Tavernier misses out on Saturday after taking the delayed injection on his ankle injury - which means he has played his last game for Rangers.

• He insists his relationship with Tavernier has been good throughout the season: "There was never a problem with him, because I always try to have the best relationship to my captain, because he's the guy who leads the group."

• On support for Tavernier's social media post, external from present and past players, Rohl says: "I think in general it showed how strong the relationship is between the players. I think this is always great. I do not take it personally."

• Rangers have lost four games in a row for the first time in 43 years, but Rohl insists he'll still have the backing of the owners irrespective of the result at Falkirk. He adds: "We spoke about everything like we did always in the last couple of weeks, the decisions that maybe have to be made this summer."

• Asked if he feels under pressure pressure amid the losing run and Tavernier controversy, Rohl says: "If you lose four games, it's normal that you get a little bit more critical feedback." He insists he will never "run away" and it is about "developing resilience, show leadership".

• On VAR, Rohl says the most important thing for the new season is "that we have consistency with decision-making on the pitch".

• As well as Tavernier, Nicolas Raskin and Ryan Naderi are out of Saturday's game and Dujon Sterling is unlikely to be risked on the artificial pitch.

Rangers players appear to back captain James Tavernier following the departing captain's statement regarding his absence from the squad in Wednesday's loss to Hibernian. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Manager Stephen Robinson says it is unlikely Aberdeen will sign on-loan Rangers midfielder Lyall Cameron on a permanent basis. (Daily Record), external

Toronto have decided against a permanent deal for on-loan Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes. (Daily Record), external

We asked for your views on James Tavernier's chaotic Ibrox farewell after the departing captain withdrew from the squad for his final game at Ibrox on being informed he wasn't starting.

Here's what some of you said:

Phil: An absolute disgrace that a loyal club servant with over 500 games was not chosen to play in a dead rubber. Shocking defending in the last four games, we have gone backwards.

David: Very disappointing if Tavernier was available but not selected to start. Perhaps we need to add showing common decency by respecting a loyal club servant to the growing list of Danny Rohl's emerging limitations?

Mari: It was disgraceful to exclude Tav from his last Ibrox career match. The manager has not done himself any favours by making that decision. Shame on you Rohl.

Rab: Tav should have started, this is not the Rangers way of celebrating a long-serving player. I don't accept Rohl's explanation and for the first time in my 64 years of following Rangers I think the current manger should be replaced. He doesn't get the club or the support, I'm happy to be proven wrong.

Alex: No one will argue that Tav's time at Rangers was up, however, to treat him this way was absolutely shameful. He deserved so much better than this. Did Rangers not learn after the Lee Wallace debacle? Apparently not. Shame on Rangers, shame on Rohl. This proves Rohl is not Rangers class and should be moved on.

James: He should have started, simple. Rohl was out of order and disrespectful to Tav.

Liam: Rohl has now lost four games in a row, something that hasn't happened in 26 years. Russell Martin had better form through his whole time at Rangers than Danny has had, and that's bad. On top of that, he's now denied a club legend, player of 11 years AND a Rangers hall of famer a proper goodbye at Ibrox. Rohl should be sacked as soon as possible.

Wilma: Rohl should have started Tav to say goodbye to the fans. It is not Tav's fault we are in this position, it is the other players we have, they are not good enough to wear the blue jersey.

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Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti says the side's post-split capitulation has put "fire in our belly" for next season.

Dane Scarlett's late winner for Hibs at Ibrox on Wednesday night consigned Rangers to their fourth defeat in a row for the first time since 1983.

Danny Rohl's side were already guaranteed a third-place Premiership finish following defeat to Celtic last weekend but are now facing the possibility of losing all of their post-split games should they suffer defeat at Falkirk on Saturday.

But Chermiti, who joined from Everton last summer, is hoping this season's disappointment can inspire Rangers to success next term.

"Yeah, obviously we know we haven't won for four games in a row," the 21-year-old said.

"We're really sad but I think that just gives us a fire in our belly for next season.

"Yeah, for sure, because this season was a fail for us, so obviously we need to improve better and we go again next season."

Rohl had clawed Rangers, who were 13 points adrift when he replaced Russell Martin at the helm, back into the title race but defeats to Motherwell, Hearts and Celtic ended their hopes of a first top-flight crown in five years.

After a difficult start to life in Glasgow, Chermiti is desperate to lift a trophy with the Ibrox club.

"I want to win the title, that's what I'm thinking about," he added.

"Obviously, the first few months in Scotland was a bit difficult for me but I've had some time to settle down.

"And as I said in a few [media] conferences before, I feel more confident in the team, in the country as well.

"Everyone gave me more confidence and even me, on the pitch, I feel more confident.

"This season has been sad for us. We had a goal, we didn't get it but this is football and we go again next season.

"Our target now is Falkirk, we're trying to finish the season well and we're trying to win the game against Falkirk."

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Was James Tavernier's messy Ibrox farewell on Wednesday night "an unnecessary fight to pick" from head coach Danny Rohl?

The captain withdrew from the squad for the defeat to Hibernian in what would have been his final game at Ibrox after being told he wasn't starting.

Tavernier received a warm ovation from fans when he took to the pitch pre-match to be presented with a commemorative shield marking his 11 years' service by Rangers legend John Greig.

But The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan thinks Rohl should have just gone with Tavernier from the start in what was a dead rubber game for the club.

"I don't really understand why he took the path he did," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think the path of least resistance was just starting James Tavernier. If you do want to see him off the premises, then do it with a bit of dignity. Do give him his place and let him go.

"It does make you wonder whether there's stuff going on behind the scenes we don't really know about because that just seemed an unnecessary fight to pick. I just didn't really get that one."

Rangers fans, we want to know what you made of Tavernier's absence from the squad on Wednesday night? Have your say here

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart analyses under-pressure head coach Danny Rohl's future at Rangers after the club were beaten 2-1 at home by Hibs for a fourth straight post-split loss.

We asked for your views after Rangers suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Hibs.

Here are some of your comments:

Diggers: No fight, no clue, no chance of winning anything. Another disastrous season for the ongoing psychodrama that is my beloved Rangers. Where are the heroes?

Norrie: Danny Rohl must fancy his chances at Wolfsburg or Stuttgart after four defeats in a row. Dead-end Ibrox. Even James Tavernier had one foot out the door.

Nick: Rohl was fourth choice for the job and he's gone on to finish third in a two-horse race. He's out of his depth and should not be in the dugout at the beginning of next season.

Ronald: Desperate defending again. The winner was schoolboy stuff. I would keep Danny on but he must get some far better players to work with.

Gerald: I'm totally dumbfounded at how to summarise the capitulation we have witnessed in our past four games. Just as well they weren't cup finals, tippy-tappy sideways and backwards football and yet again hit by the sucker punch. Unless good quality players are recruited it could be deja vu.

Colin: I think it time up for the Rangers manager. Get someone in that knows the club.

Chris: Rangers have absolutely capsized. We have taken 10 steps backwards, losing four games in a row post-split is just shameful. I worry knowing Rohl has the reins to spend in the summer and kept his job. Massively disappointing, his tactics are shocking.

Watch all the highlights as Rangers suffered a fourth successive home defeat for the first time since 1983 as Hibernian edge closer to confirming European football. Available to UK users only.

Midfielder Jose Cifuentes will return to Rangers after MLS side Toronto opted against making his loan deal permanent. (Daily Record), external

Everton and Scotland defender Nathan Patterson would benefit from a return to Rangers this summer, according to former Scotland striker Paul Dickov. (Daily Record), external

Derek Cornelius has played his final game for Rangers after the on-loan Marseille defender was allowed to join with Canada's pre-World Cup training camp in Charlotte. (TSN), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Rangers slipped to a fourth successive defeat in their last home match of the season as Hibernian celebrated keeping their hopes of fourth place and European football alive on Wednesday night.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Rangers manager Danny Rohl: "Today showed exactly why we need a strong, front-footed cut in the summer to change a lot of things on and off the pitch.

"That needs done and that is what we will do.

"When the opponent comes in our box three times and we concede twice and we have to work hard to create chances, this is not enough to keep us winning games.

"We said we have to be ruthless in both boxes.

"A lot of effort, but not enough.

"We have to demand more from ourselves, otherwise we will not achieve our big goals in the future."

Rohl spoke to supporters from the Union Bears fans group at full-time and says it is "important to show respect to the supporters".

He adds: "When I arrived, I showed leadership and I did this today as well.

"Even today, the atmosphere was good, they were not negative and were behind the team. It's important to listen to them because it shows respect. We spoke about what we want and which direction we want to go in the future.

"It is a good thing they are demanding because then they agree - we are both demanding.

"The last four games are not what Rangers should be. We have different standards and this is what we have to work on. We will go strong in the pre-season with a lot of things."

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Shortly before a suited James Tavernier walked out to bid Ibrox farewell, Rangers manager Danny Rohl explained the captain's absence from the matchday squad on his last home outing.

"He had a medical issue on Monday unfortunately and there was a question mark if he'd be available today," Rohl tells BBC Scotland.

"I made my decision he would not start today because he was not 100%. He stayed away from the team today."

Responding to rumours Tavernier had fallen out with Rohl, the German replied: "There was no conflict. Me as a manager has to make the decision for the starting line-up.

"It was very clear, I was honest with him to say he would get minutes today because he deserved a great goodbye - as a starter or a sub, it was my decision.

"It was my wish he played some minutes today."

Rohl adds he does not yet know if Tavernier will feature in the club's final match of the season at Falkirk on Saturday.

"The beginning of the week, there was a medical issue, he wanted to have an injection on Tuesday and I spoke with him and now he said he moved his injection to Thursday. I can't tell you more.

"It's a bit sad for all of us."

Danny Rohl may have "half a chance" of surviving as Rangers boss with a decent summer window, but are there worrying similarities with ex-head coach Philippe Clement?

Scott Cameron of the Rangers Journal podcast, external certainly thinks so and has concerns over the team's style and identity under Rohl.

Clement, now head coach of Norwich, was appointed at Ibrox in October 2023 and won the League Cup two months later but missed out on the league title by eight points after a string of poor performances during the run-in.

He was sacked in February 2025 following a humiliating Scottish Cup fifth-round exit to Queen's Park and 2-0 league defeat by St Mirren at Ibrox.

After Sunday's defeat at Celtic Park mathematically knocked Rangers out of the title race, Cameron questions whether Rohl is the man to lead the club forward.

"I've been here before and we've been here before as Rangers supporters," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I feel very similar to I did under Clement two years ago. The same red flags and the same concerns about the approach.

"Rohl's a nice guy but I just want a competent Rangers manager that gets us lifting trophies.

"He has to basically rip this squad apart. He talks about identity and leaders and every buzzword under the sun but Rangers need a strong spine with players that are brave in possession.

"It all comes down to recruitment. That's the issue for me. If we can recruit, he's got half a chance. Although I do have concerns over what his actual style and identity is.

"If Rohl had been appointed as an interim manager in October/November, would we be pushing for him to be given the job permanently?

"My gut instinct is generally right and I think you cut the cord and you bring somebody else in with a pre-season and the opportunity.

"I always refer to my wee boy. My wee boy has probably seen more Rangers managers in the near nine years of his life than I had seen in the previous 40.

"It's remarkable and I don't like this rinse and repeat cycle we're in but until you get the right person you're going to keep on this merry-go-round."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

It has been a nightmarish couple of weeks for Rangers and their supporters. From a position of real strength coming into the post-split fixtures, they have frittered away the opportunity to claim the league title.

Three defeats on the trot for the first time in over a decade have ensured a third-place finish and nothing to play for in the past two games as Celtic and Hearts face off for the title.

It's an ignominious end to a season, which started dreadfully, picked up in the middle and briefly threatened to be incredible, but ultimately has been another barren campaign.

Almost inevitably, disgruntlement among supporters has led to some questioning whether Danny Rohl should remain in charge. The German said on Tuesday the club hierarchy want him to stay on, but that won't end the criticism of his handling of the team in the past few weeks.

I've said on more than one occasion in this column that Rangers need stability and the constant hiring and firing of managers is no way to create a successful environment.

That said, there are elements of Rohl's management that leave me unconvinced as to whether he is indeed the man to bring back the good times to Ibrox.

He, like Philippe Clement before him, struggles to get a consistent 90-minute performance out of his team. The blame for that is not entirely on him, but it is his responsibility. Making tactical tweaks during games to combat threats or exploit weaknesses also seems to be problematic for him.

But on the whole, the manner in which he dragged Rangers back into title contention probably earns him the chance to try to mould a squad over the summer better equipped to challenge for the title and make an impact in Europe.

To do that, he needs to find players who not only possess the technical quality to improve the side but who have the mentality and leadership qualities, which have been lacking at Ibrox for a long time.

It's a grim time round Ibrox way and plenty of hard work behind the scenes is going to be required to change the mood.

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• Rangers have lost three consecutive league games for the first time since October 2000 - that run 26 years ago began with a 1-0 defeat to Hibs.

• Rangers have lost just one of their past 29 league meetings with Hibs (W19 D9), going down 2-0 at home in April 2025.

• All of Hibs' past five top-flight wins over Rangers have come away from home. However, Hibs have lost 12 of their past 13 league visits to Ibrox (W1).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Rangers have won their final home game in six of the last seven league campaigns (D1 – v Hearts in 2022-23) since a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen in 2016-17.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 season, Hibs have only won their final away game in one of their past nine top-flight campaigns (D3 L5), beating Aberdeen 1-0 in 2020-21.

• Hibs forward Martin Boyle has scored four goals in his last four Scottish Premiership starts against Rangers, this after only scoring one in his first 12 starts against them in the competition beforehand.

Rangers' Danny Rohl is among several names on Bayer Leverkusen's shortlist for a new head coach, but Bild suggests that Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner is the top choice and Girona's Michel is also a candidate. (Bulinews), external

Danny Rohl is not at risk of being sacked by Rangers and is unlikely to leave for Wolfsburg considering their relegation from the Bundesliga, but Union Berlin, in particular, and Bayer Leverkusen could be more attractive propositions amid Europe-wide interest in the 37-year-old. (Sky Germany), external

Celtic, Fulham and Rangers have made initial enquiries about winger Cameron Ashia, while Burnley, Cardiff City, Hoffenheim, Ipswich Town, Sheffield United and Stuttgart have registered an interest in the 21-year-old who could be available for as little as £500,000 despite Huddersfield Town taking an option to extend his contract by a further year. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers are ready to step up their interest in midfielder Bobby Clark, who has spent a season on loan to Derby County and with parent club Red Bull Salzburg ready to cash in on the 21-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Rangers will find it tough to pursue their interest in Plymouth Argyle forward Lorent Tolaj with a host of Championship rivals considering a move for the 24-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Former Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny, currently with Besiktas, has surprisingly been left out of the Czech Republic's 54-man World Cup squad. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Connor Barron has urged Rangers to use their title pain as "fuel" for making amends next season.

The Ibrox side have been consigned to third place after their quest for a first Premiership title in five years collapsed with post-split defeats to Motherwell, Hearts and Celtic.

The 3-1 derby loss at Celtic Park on Sunday means Rangers have lost three successive league games for the first time since 2000 under Dick Advocaat.

Prior to the visit of Hibernian on Wednesday night, 23-year-old midfielder Barron said: "It was really frustrating. Obviously we went into the game to win it, trying to pick up from the last two games.

"We didn't do what we wanted to do and it's a real sore one. It's hard to put into words.

"I think there are loads of things we could say. It's easy to say it's this or that.

"A lot of things come into play. Ultimately, we just haven't been good enough on the pitch in the last few games.

"It was crunch time and we didn't get it over the line in the end.

"It's so difficult to take, it's frustrating but we have to use this as fuel going into next season.

"We know how this feels now, it's painful and we've got to use it to push on and rectify our mistakes.

"Everyone's been low. It's never nice, not just Sunday's game but the Hearts and Motherwell games as well.

"Coming into the split, our aim was to go and win all the games and we haven't done it. It hurts a lot but we need to win on Wednesday now."