Rangers

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Do Youssef Chermiti's chances of being a success at Rangers rely on the striker playing in a front two?

Former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday feels that could be the formula to get the best out of the big-money summer signing from Everton.

Despite netting a clinical double against Celtic for the second time this season in Sunday's Old Firm draw, including a stunning overhead kick, Halliday feels criticism about a lack of goals is fair.

Chermiti has shown up in the big games, scoring eight times against Celtic and Hearts, but he has just nine goals in 31 games across all competitions.

The 21-year-old's recent impressive showings against Rangers' title rivals have come with the striker playing alongside winter recruit Ryan Naderi.

"I think that's now the fourth game Rangers have played with two strikers," Halliday said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Chermiti's scored a hat-trick against Hearts and a double against Celtic, so I just feel like that burden is taken off him with a striker playing alongside him.

"He doesn't have to do so much running outside the box, so much link-up play outside the box and running channels.

"He can be a bit more of a predatory striker that's in the box and try to get on the end of things. And I think at this moment in time it looks like it's suited him a lot better."

Former Hearts man and current Motherwell midfielder Halliday added: "In terms of attributes, I think he's got pretty much everything. The one thing you could probably criticise him for, though, is obviously his lack of goals.

"There's been a lot of occasions in games that I don't think he's looked like scoring. I don't think he's been on the end of cross balls enough or had enough shots on goal."

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-2 draw against Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: Any team aspiring to win a league can't afford 12 draws in 29 games played - too many points lost so far. This team don't seem to have the mentality or ability to see out wins as was proved again today.

Alexander: That was a disgraceful second half from Rangers, they were fortunate to draw from a position of total dominance to also-rans - unacceptable. The game lasts 'til the final whistle not half-time, they let themselves, the manager and the fans down in a terrible second half."

Simon: Let's learn the lessons and go again. High intensity and concentration needed for 96 not 50 minutes. In future let's help Jack Butland - after his two heroic penalty saves we needed defenders hungry to beat their strikers to the goalmouth.

Peter: Having just witnessed yet another game where Rangers have thrown away more points. Now eight dropped from their last six games. I can honestly say the title now belongs to Hearts. They will be playing three teams from the bottom four of the league before the split. So clearly, they are well ahead and in the driving seat.

Lex: Two wins in six league matches is abysmal. This is still the same Rangers team that lost 9-1 against Club Brugge. Any improvement is superficial and illusory. Danny Rohl certainly isn't a tactical genius.

Gary: Another farcical VAR decision going against Rangers in another Old Firm game. What is Dujon Sterling supposed to do when the ball is headed on to his hand at pace, from a foot away? The handball rule needs reviewed. It's not a free-kick anywhere else so why a penalty?

A number of Championship clubs have joined Celtic and Rangers in the race to sign 20-year-old Huddersfield Town midfielder Cameron Ashia, who is a free agent in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Despite claims linking Jesse Lingard with Rangers, the idea was never advanced by either party and the 33-year-old former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest winger is poised to join Corinthians after leaving Seoul amid interest from Feyenoord. (Football Insider), external

Former Liverpool and Stoke City winger Jermaine Pennant admitted he would love to have played for Rangers after witnessing the atmosphere at Sunday's Old Firm derby draw at Ibrox. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch the best of the action as Celtic come from two down at Rangers to earn a point in a gripping Old Firm draw.

MATCH REPORT: Rangers 2-2 Celtic

Available in UK only

Resurgent Celtic came from two goals down to salvage a dramatic point in the 91st minute against Rangers as both Old Firm sides remain detached from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Sportsound: "At the moment, the feeling is more disappointment because you dropped two points after a 2-0 lead.

"It's not about 50 minutes, it's about longer. We had high intensity, we played really nice football, we found our space. It was great.

"In the second half, we were not clinical in possession. We made some wrong decisions then we lose the ball, we give them a little bit of momentum then they score early in the second half and then you know it's 2-1 and they have nothing to lose.

"Finally, it's a draw. It's always a little bit lucky for a team to get a late pen. This is normal I would say it's the same when we get a pen late in the game. It's about the next game and we have to move on.

"We go again. We'll try next week in the cup game again a good performance and hopefully we can keep our performance over 90 minutes.

"There are still nine games to go, this is 27 points. All games now will be tough for all the teams. We believe until the end. This season, the decision making will be on the last match day."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin insists the derby meeting with Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday is not "do or die" in the race for the Scottish Premiership title but admits it would be a "massive push" for the victor.

Danny Rohl's side lie two points clear of Celtic having played one game more and four adrift of leaders Hearts going into the weekend fixtures.

Rangers are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Celtic at Ibrox, albeit it three have been draws, with their last defeat coming in September 2023

"It's a massive game for the club," Raskin said.

"It's just an exciting fixture. It's a fixture you look ahead to when the calendar comes out. But again, it's three points, like the next one and the next one. So, it's just making sure we get the win and then we look forward to the next one."

"Obviously, if you win the game, you get a boost of confidence. I think the one that's going to win [the title] is the one that's going to be the more calm, whether it's in the squad or whether it's in the building because there are still 10 games to be played. Loads of things can happen.

"It's not going to be do or die tomorrow or Sunday. But obviously it's going to be a massive push for the one that wins."

Raskin, who was left out of the squad by former head coach Russell Martin the last time the teams met at Ibrox, admits it has been quite a transformation since the start of the campaign to now be in contention for the Scottish Premiership title.

"It was a big turnaround," he said. "I think the manager is a big part of this. He brought us freshness, calmness, stability and some confidence.

"It's really good to see where we came from to now but we need to make sure we keep going because there's no point in doing all this to just lose everything now.

"So, that's why we're now focused on the last ten games and we need to make sure we make it."

Raskin was keen to avoid adding additional pressure when asked to respond to comments made by Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan that no team in Scotland could touch the champions when they are on form.

"I don't need to respond to that," he said. "I just don't care. I can't lie. We just focus on ourselves..

"We go to the game, we know what we want to do. There's no need to put pressure on us saying we are the best.

"It's just about who's going to show it on the pitch and who's going to win that game. That's it.

"I think the last couple of games against them in the league shows that we've been quite consistent in those games.

"Obviously the momentum now is different than we had last season. So, we are quite confident to go into that game and we know what to do."

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• Rangers are unbeaten in their past five league meetings with rivals Celtic (W3 D2), after having lost four of their previous five (D1). They have had four different managers in those five clashes (Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson x 2, Russell Martin, Danny Rohl).

• Celtic have only won two of their past 12 away games at Rangers in all competitions (D4 L6), although the latest two have been drawn. Celtic last drew three successive trips to their Old Firm rivals in March 1996.

• Rangers have won their past 10 home games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 32-4. They last won 11 successive home matches in December 2013 under Ally McCoist (11), and last did so within a single season in April 2003 under Alex McLeish (18) – the 11th of which was against Celtic (3-2 in December 2002).

• Celtic have lost seven games in the Scottish Premiership this season, as many as they did in 2023-24 (three) and 2024-25 (four) combined. Celtic last suffered more defeats in a league campaign in 1999-00 (nine) – with their eighth defeat that season coming away to Rangers (4-0 in March 2000).

• After his side's 3-1 victory in January, Danny Rohl could become the first manager to win his first two league Old Firm derbies in charge of Rangers.

• This will be Martin O'Neill's first league Old Firm derby as Celtic boss since a 2-1 win at Ibrox in April 2005; the Northern Irishman has won eight of his past 10 league games against Rangers as Celtic boss (L2).

• Rangers' Mikey Moore, who scored at Celtic park in January, has five goals in the Premiership this season; the last player to score more while aged 18 or younger in a season in the competition was Ryan Gauld in 2013-14 (six), and the last non-Scottish player to do so in the top-flight was James McCarthy in 2008-09 (six).

• Despite playing 46% of his league minutes as a central midfielder, Celtic's Benjamin Nygren ranks joint top for goals (14, level with Tawanda Maswanhise), second for shots (67), second for shots on target (30), and third for expected goals (10.0).

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Rangers' duo Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi have returned to training and will be assessed. Connor Barron (knee) and Derek Cornelius (muscle) are still out.

Celtic defender Auston Trusty begins a three-match ban. Celtic are missing Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring).

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Rangers have set their sights on Huddersfield Town midfielder Cameron Ashia, with the 20-year-old out of contract in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Rangers forward Kyle Glasgow, who has played at youth level for Portugal and Scotland, has signed his first professional contract with the club amid strong interest from England. (The Herald - subscription required), external

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was "surprised" by Celtic's approach after taking an early lead in Stuttgart on Thursday night and says it will be "interesting" to see who Martin O'Neill starts in goal for Sunday's Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

O'Neill made eight changes - including back-up keeper Viljami Sinisalo in place of Kasper Schmeichel - for Thursday night's Europa League play-off second leg in Germany after Celtic were beaten 4-1 at Parkhead.

One of the stand-ins, Luke McCowan, fired Celtic in front after 30 seconds with what proved to be the only goal of the game as Celtic bowed out 4-2 on aggregate.

"I think when you see the line-up from yesterday, the starting line-up, then I expect some changes," Rohl said.

"It's normal, they try to use the full squad.

"I was a little bit surprised after 1-0 that they're not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0, to have a chance. They keep the result until the end."

Denmark international Schmeichel, 39, has come under fire from Celtic fans for sub-par performances and was even booed in last week's first leg at Parkhead.

Sinisalo kept a clean sheet in Stuttgart and made six saves as Celtic won on German soil for the first time.

"But yeah, it will be interesting as well, the goalkeeper position, what he will do now, let's see," added Rohl.

"But we are prepared, we're focused on ourselves, we also have some interesting decisions to make.

"I know if everyone is available, it's also not easy for me in some positions, because there are more than two or three players who are ready for this game.

"It's a good situation. I like this, my players showed that they are ready, I think this is crucial and let's see what it means on Sunday."

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Former Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has been appointed as the English FA's elite coach developer.

It's the 52-year-old's first job since he was sacked by Rangers in November after just six months at the club.

Thelwell will work under former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth to support the progression of homegrown coaches in both the men's and women's games.

"I'm delighted to be joining the FA at such an exciting time," Thelwell said.

"And to get the chance to help take coaching excellence in this country to the next level. I know there is a real desire at St George's Park to step up the support for homegrown coaches at all levels and to give them the tools they need to complement their day-to-day roles.

"Succession planning and elite coach development will be an essential part of my remit, and it is vital that we also work with the talented coaches within our own pathway.

"I hope to build on my strong relationships across the game, and work with clubs and all our key partners for everyone's benefit."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been speaking with the media before the derby visit of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here are the key points:

• On Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan's claim following their win over Stuttgart that "no team in that league touches us" if they are on form, Rohl says: "I think at the moment we are in the second position. They are behind us. I think they have at the moment seven or eight defeats. I think in general it makes no sense to speak too much about the other side. We have to focus on ourselves. We want to win this game. I see my team is ready to take points and then we will see on Sunday."

• Rohl is relishing his first Old Firm fixture in charge at Ibrox having seen his side come from a goal down to win 3-1 at Celtic Park in January in what proved Wilfried Nancy's last match in charge.

• He says: "For me that was one of the biggest moments so far. When you are a manager and you have the chance to play at home this kind of games, then you are also on fire. We are on fire. I feel the belief. We are ready."

• Rangers remain unbeaten domestically this year under Rohl, who insists no matter the outcome, neither team will be out of the title race: "It's a crucial game, but no team will be out after this game because there are still 27 points you can take."

• He concedes this could be the biggest game of his managerial career given the stakes: "It's a crucial one because when you come closer and closer to the end of the season then you know every game is important."

• The German pointed to Rangers' ability to come from behind in big games having done so at Celtic Park and in the recent win at home to leaders Hearts when they twice levelled before winning 4-2.

• Rohl adds: "I think do it with a hot heart and a smart mind. If we do this then we have a big chance, we have a clear idea of what we want to do. We have also some different solutions, how we can hurt them. You have to believe. I think this game is not about the legs, it's about the mind, the brain, how ready you are in these moments and if you do this, then let's see."

• Rohl says he is interested to see what Celtic do with the goalkeeping position after Viljami Sinisalo impressed against Stuttgart in Kasper Schmeichel's absence.

• On the idea of looking to retain on loan Tottenham winger Mikey Moore next season, Moore says: "I think he made a fantastic development since I'm here. He showed his quality. He's still a young player. He took a lot of good experience now in this year. I'm happy with him. And of course, let's see what we can do. I think this is the following week's topic."

• Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi are both training with a decision to be made if they are to be in the squad.