Rangers

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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Defender Ross McCrorie admits Rangers will have to cut out the costly errors if they are to challenge for silverware this season.

Scotland cap McCrorie, 28, earned the first start of his second spell at the the club in Poland as Rangers went down 2-1 to Jagiellonia Bialystok in the first leg of their Europa League third round qualifier on Thursday.

Both goals, along with the one conceded on the opening Premiership match-day at Dundee United, have frustrated manager Derek McInnes and McCrorie felt the same way but sees a bright future if they eradicate those mistakes.

"We've got a new team here, we've got a lot of new players, I don't want to make any excuses, we've no time to dwell on these things," he told BBC Scotland.

"We need to start winning games and start playing better as a whole and as a team, being more together, hopefully you'll see that in the next few games.

"When you come to club like this, this is what you expect, you want that pressure to go out and win every game. That's the demand.

"We're disappointed [not to win on Thursday], but we've still got a game against them to rectify it and go and try and progress to the next round."

McCrorie wants Rangers' squad to make a statement after a tepid start to the season with Hibernian in their sights on Sunday.

"They've got a lot of good players, and I know a few of the boys from being in Scotland previously," he added.

"They're a good outfit but we need to stick to our principles and get back to winning ways.

"You want to make a statement every week at this club, it's all about demanding and have that ruthless edge and that's what we're looking for and to not give teams chances.

"We're looking to cut out those small mistakes that are killing us at the moment."

McCrorie feels at home again at the start of his second spell at Ibrox and reckons he can make an impact.

"I'm 28 now, I'm not the kid I was when I was here previously," he added.

"I want to come here and make a big impact, take the pressure off my shoulders and make us a better outfit."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views after Thursday night's Europa League qualifying first leg defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Peter: I'm sorry but I don't see anything to get excited about after two games. The talent on the bench and the lack of talent on the pitch sums up a lot for me. This is going to be a long season.

Joseph: We need to give this man time and resources. The constant merry-go-round is not helping the club. We need a new defence - time and time again the players we have in that position are found wanting. Let the man rebuild this great club and return us to the top of Scottish football were we should be. He needs patience at a difficult time for everyone involved with club - fans, players and coaches.

Paul: It's a case of deja vu again for this Rangers side. Carrying on from their failings last season, not only domestically, but in Europe too. It's going to be a long and winding road ahead if they can't beat a relatively poor and inexperienced side in Jagiellonia, albeit away from home. The only real positive note was the performance of the inspirational Findlay Curtis in the second half, but more work has still to be done at Ibrox in the return leg if they have any aspirations of salvaging this tie and progressing further in the tournament.

John: The loss of soft goals and a worrying lack of midfield creativity once again. Seems to be a recurring theme from last season that we fall behind to teams who then sit in and our response is to just lump hopeful balls into the box, looking for a lucky break. Surely we should be better than this. We need to be.

Tom: The subs helped but the slow pace made us easy to defend against. Curtis was the main point of attack but we continually passed the ball out to Ross McCrorie so he could transfer it back to the left. Felt we kept Thelo Aasgard and Youssef Chermiti on for too long as both were poor. I expect us to struggle badly against Hibs

Billy: What a big disappointment. The starting lineup was questionable. We signed a goalscorer in Lawrence Shankland, make him captain and then don't start him in a game we need to score. Nico Raskin should have been on from the start. It will need to be some improvement next week if we are to get through.

Rangers have made a bid of £6m for PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech, 24. (Sky Sports, external)

Driouech has not agreed personal terms with Rangers as yet but is open to the move, with PSV and the Ibrox club trying to reach an agreement in the first instance. (Rik Elfrink, external)

However, Celta Vigo are confident of beating Rangers to the signature of Driouech. (Record - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "I just felt we beat ourselves, to be honest.

"I thought we started the game really well with an element of control. The team we picked was to make sure that their rotations in midfield weren't a problem for us - and they weren't.

"I thought our three that were fine in there at times.

"We got off to a good start, a good bit of combination play, being patient with what we were trying to do and putting a bit of stress on our defender to defend the situation.

"And obviously, he scores an own goal and it's a perfect start. And then we stopped doing what was working for us.

"We made two mistakes for the two goals.

"We need to be far more concentrated, far more focused, far more aggressive, far more talkative and organised to stop these types of things happening.

"We've seen a lot tonight of what I thought Rangers were last season.

"I thought they gave up too many chances and gave teams too much encouragement.

"Having watched them, I knew it would be a tough game, particularly here at home and they're a strong side in a strong Polish league, but I still expect us to come here and win the game, and we're disappointed that we haven't."

Rangers have work to do in their Europa League third qualifying round tie after defensive lapses were punished by triumphant Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the match report here.

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Having Nicolas Raskin available to face Jagiellonia Bialystok is "positive for Rangers", says former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Belgium midfielder Raskin, 25, could make his first Rangers appearance of the season in Poland in Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg.

He has been linked with a move this summer, while Rangers have recruited in the central midfield area with Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic joining.

"It's a player that's come off the back of playing a lot of minutes at the World Cup for a top side as well," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Having Nico Raskin available is positive for Rangers. Again, we don't know what sort of condition he is. He only had a few weeks off. Hopefully he's fully fit.

"We'd expect him to play a part in the game because he is a quality player. You don't play for Belgium if you're not a good player.

"He is a Rangers player at this moment in time. Whether he will be at the end of the transfer window, I probably doubt that he will be there, I think he'll move on for probably a good sum of money. But while you've got him, you've got to use him.

"This is a massive match. Rangers need to progress through this, they really do. They need to get a positive result to make it an easier job back at Ibrox. There's that negativity from the start of the season, that game against Dundee United."

Andy Halliday believes that 1-1 draw at United has motivated further recruitment at Rangers, with winger Daisuke Yokota signed from Hannover on Wednesday.

"It was obviously a really poor opener against Dundee United," said former Rangers midfielder Halliday. "I thought it was a game that really highlighted the deficiencies that Rangers have in certain areas of the pitch.

"That result on Friday almost kicked them into overdrive. Rangers have obviously signed one winger. They've been linked by another three or four with reports being quite strong. They've submitted bids on a couple of others."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views on the signing of Daisuke Yokota from Hannover.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Iain: Time will tell if he is any more creative than those who have gone before, and failed, or just another false dawn. Hopefully he's our rising sun.

David: Whiff of desperation about this signing. He's had six clubs in seven years which is questionable. Last sold a month after signing following loan period, let's hope he sticks in and performs and we don't regret this.

Adam: His numbers aren't exactly brilliant but he seems quick, direct and he likes to take on his man, which is something we've been sorely missing. If he's on the right wing, I assume Djeidi Gassama will play on the left. Not sure where that leaves Thelo Aasgard, especially if Derek McInnes wants to play two up front, given our volume of central midfielders.

Greig: Yokota's stats are not as good as Vaclav Cerny's but he must be better than the last two right wingers who have been returned to their parent team and sold.

Luke: Can't be a good look that Hannover just bought this lad and have sold him immediately. Also, I get the feeling that Rangers are copying Celtic's strategy of finding Japanese players knowing how successful that market has been for them.

Peter: There have plenty good players in the past who are not very tall however at five foot six I would imagine Yokota may find it hard in today's Scottish premiership as many of the teams have a fair height advantage and play a very physical game. If he can adapt well and play well who cares what height he is.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

On the eve of what is already a huge game in Rangers' season, they confirmed the signing of a player to fill a position in which they have been lacking ever since the departure of Vaclav Cerny.

In Daisuke Yokota, they have a left-footed right winger who they will hope can provide the creativity on that side that was missing from last season's failed title bid.

The addition of the Japanese forward, who recorded five goals and four assists on loan at Bundesliga 2 side Hannover last season, will go some way to injecting an attacking threat that Rangers supporters have been crying out for.

They continue to be linked with others in that position, including the Celtic target Fares Ghedjemis, who would presumably be first-choice if they were able to get that over the line but options are definitely required on the evidence of the opening league game against Dundee United but also all of last season.

They do have options on the other flank, but Djeidi Gassama was hooked at half-time at Tannadice and after a promising start to his Ibrox career this time last year, has failed to build on that. Meanwhile, Findlay Curtis may not be deemed ready to take on the mantle of a first pick as Rangers try to assemble a title-winning squad.

So further wide players will need to be added but Rangers also need to get a few out the door to balance the books and the squad. They are top heavy with central midfielders, with Nico Raskin the most likely to be moved on if a buyer can be found to meet Rangers' valuation.

As usual, all of this transfer activity and speculation is taking place at a time of the season when must-win games are coming thick and fast.

The failure to win at Tannadice is not a fatal blow to their title hopes but dropping league points cannot become a habit if Celtic are to be overthrown this season.

Equally, Thursday evening's Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Bialystok is a fixture in which Rangers cannot afford to be as passive as they were on Friday night.

The Poles have started the season with two league victories and, having lost out narrowly to Fiorentina in last season's Conference League last 32, will be keen to take the scalp of Derek McInnes's reshaped side.

With Ben Godfrey out injured, Rangers may hand a debut to another new signing Olwethu Makhanya, while supporters will be keen to see if Vanja Dragojevic is ready to make an impact for his new side.

A good result in Poland for Rangers can turn an already somewhat negative narrative into a much more positive one before Hibernian's visit to Ibrox on Sunday.

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Dutch reports suggest Rangers have had a bid turned down for PSV Eindhoven's Moroccan winger Couhaib Driouech, 24. (Sun, external)

Rangers and Red Bull Salzburg, who recently appointed former Ibrox head coach Danny Rohl, are both interested in Driouech. (Soccer News - in Dutch, external)

Burnley are also reportedly keen on Driouech. (Glasgow Times, external)

Hull City have agreed to pay a record fee for Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl, who had been a Rangers target. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland

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Cammy Devlin is impressed with Nico Raskin's impact in training since his World Cup exploits and hopes they get the chance to team up in Rangers' midfield.

Raskin, who has been linked with an Ibrox exit this summer, is back in the Rangers squad for Thursday's Europa League third-round qualifier first leg against Jagiellonia Bialystok after helping Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Devlin, who arrived from Hearts last month, said: "The few days he's been in training he's really lifted the level of everyone around him.

"He's a great player and he did really well at the World Cup.

"I've played against him loads, had so many good battles, being on the same side as him would be cool. If we get the opportunity to play together that would be great."

Australia international Devlin is enjoying his early time at Rangers and was keen to point out the importance of European football both to the club and himself.

"Absolutely love it, obviously worked with the manager before, coming into a new club, the nature and the size of the club, you don't realise how big it is until you step in," he said.

"These are the nights you really look forward to, coming into a stadium like this really gets you going, all the boys are raring to go.

"Being at a club like Rangers where you can really compete in Europe. I watched their success in the Europa League a few years back and you want to be part of it.

"I remember waking up with my little brother and my dad watching big games around Europe and you never think that's going to be you.

"We would always try and get up - but when we were younger it was only when we'd behaved the night before!"

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been talking to the media before the first leg of his side's Europa League third qualifying round tie against Poland's Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday.

Here are the best bits from his media conference in Poland:

• McInnes believes new signing Daisuke Yokota offers them something they didn't previously have and the Japanese winger is available for the game in Poland.

• Fellow new signing Olwethu Makhanya has also travelled having overcome visa issues.

• With both players, McInnes has to weigh up whether they are ready to play a part in the match.

• On Ben Godfrey's injury that keeps the on-loan Atalanta defender out of this tie, McInnes says it is a blow for both the player and the team but that he is expected to be out for three to four weeks.

• On the danger of Jagiellonia, he says they need respect and just missed out on a Champions League spot last season - Rangers will have to play well in both legs to go through.

• Nicolas Raskin is in Poland following his appearances at the World Cup with Belgium, he is available for selection and until an acceptable bid comes in he will be available.

• McInnes says there are still specific areas of the squad Rangers have to address.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jagiellonia Bialystok have been steadily building themselves a bit of a reputation in European football since winning the Polish title for the first time two years ago.

They reached the Conference League quarter-finals two seasons ago, losing to Real Betis, after finishing ninth in the league stage.

Last season, they finished 17th then gave Fiorentina a fright before losing 5-4 on aggregate after extra time in the play-off round.

Having finished third in the Ekstraklasa, Jagiellonia start this season's campaign in the Europa League qualifiers.

Adrian Siemieniec's side have started the season positively and sit second in the Ekstraklasa on goal difference behind Legia Warsaw after winning their opening two games.

Nik Prelec, the Slovenian forward signed from Oxford United this summer, scored in both the 1-0 home win over Korona Kielce and the 2-1 victory away to Motor Lublin on Friday.

Key attacking midfielder Bartosz Mazurek was sold to Salzburg this summer, but Dane Anders Klynge has been signed from Bodo/Glimt in his place.

Poland-capped defensive midfielder Taras Romanczuk captains a side that also features ex-Derby County winger Kamil Jozwiak and former Celtic centre-half Yuki Kobayashi.

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Daisuke Yokota has joined Rangers from Hannover 96 just a month after making his loan move to the 2 Bundesliga side permanent.

Yokota spent last season on loan at Hannover from Belgian outfit Gent and the Germans made the deal permanent last month but have now sold the Japanese winger for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old made 30 appearances in the German second division and scored five goals as well as setting up four as Hannover finished fourth and narrowly missed out on a chance of promotion.

But what can Rangers supporters expect from their new winger?

German football commentator Derek Rae has been answering that on social media., external

According to Rae, Yokota is a left-footed inverted right winger and, while not a particularly physical player, thrives on dribbling.

Rae insists there was more good than bad on show from the forward at Hannover where he scored his five goals from a relatively even mix of starts and substitute appearances.

He generally played wide right in Hannover's 3-4-3 and is a threat on the counter and strong in counter-pressing.

More of a creative spark than goalscorer, Yokota has been compared to Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad who was once dubbed the "Japanese Messi".

In the league last season the 5ft 6in winger won nine aerial duels, 234 tackles, and played 32 crosses. He also had 43 shots on goal and scored the only penalty he took.

On paper, it seems Rangers are adding that bit of creativity fans felt was missing in their opening game of the season.

Rangers have confirmed the signing of Daisuke Yokota from German side Hannover 96 on a three-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

The Japanese forward becomes Derek McInnes' eighth permanent summer signing and will join up with the squad before tomorrow's Europa League qualifier.

Have your say on Daisuke Yokota's arrival via this link

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton - Dundee United

Made several important stops as Dundee United matched Rangers at Tannadice.

Lewis Mayo - Aberdeen

Bundled a vital equaliser home as Aberdeen snatched three points at the death against Hearts.

Martin Moormann - Motherwell

An impressive defensive performance from the Austrian as Motherwell repelled Hibernian's second-half pressure.

Cheick Diabate - St Johnstone

A goal and another big showing from the St Johnstone centre-back as Simo Valakari's side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kilmarnock.

Henry Fieldson - St Mirren

The versatile signing from Queen's Park had a superb St Mirren league debut.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Felt like the Kieran Tierney of old. He swung in a sublime assist for Benjamin Nygren's winning goal.

Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers

A moment of real quality to equalise and repay the faith shown in him by manager Derek McInnes.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Energy personified. The Irish midfielder made all the difference, scoring twice, as St Mirren beat Falkirk on Saturday.

Jamie Gullan - St Johnstone

Full of guile in their Championship-winning season and normal service resumed in the swashbuckling win over Kilmarnock. Five key passes and two assists for the tricky wide man.

Ibrahim Said - Motherwell

His delight was clear to see as he finished off a fine Motherwell passing move to put Hibs to the sword at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen

The Aberdeen captain thoroughly enjoyed his celebration as he handled the pressure of winning the match for Aberdeen from the penalty spot deep in added time.

Rangers face a race against time to sign Hannover winger Daisuke Yokota, 26, in time to face Jagiellonia Bialystok in Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg in Poland but new Ibrox defender Olwethu Makhanya, 22, is available after overcoming visa issues. (Sun, external)

Personal terms, a work permit and a visa are still to be arranged for Yokota. (Record - subscription required, external)

Scotland defender Scott McKenna, recently linked with Rangers, scored Dinamo Zagreb's second in Tuesday's 5-0 Champions League third qualifying round first-leg win over Kauno Zalgiris. (Sun, external)

​Celtic are pushing for a deal to sign Fares Ghedjemis from Frosinone, who want 9.5m euros for the Algeria winger, 23. (Sebastien Vidal, external)

Celtic and Rangers, who have also been linked with Ghedjemis, would need to part with an eight-figure fee to secure the winger. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)

President Maurizio Stirpe says Frosinone do not need to sell Ghedjemis but the Italian club are willing to listen to offers. (Glasgow Times, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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