Rangers

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Derek McInnes is confident World Cup midfielders Cammy Devlin and Thelo Aasgaard will be fit for Rangers' first game of the Scottish Premiership season after they came off in their final pre-season friendly - a goalless draw with West Ham United at Ibrox.

Norway's Aasgaard had to be replaced after sustaining a shoulder injury, while Australian Devlin did not appear for the second half.

"Thelo landed on his shoulder a bit awkwardly, but we think he'll be okay for Friday and Cammy took a kick in his calf and again will be fine for the weekend.

"So the fact that we've come through the game without any injuries is pleasing."

Rangers start their season away to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

And McInnes was disappointed that his side were not able to give the 48,000 fans a goal or a victory in preparation but thinks "it was a step on" from the midweek draw with St Etienne.

"In terms of the team we were up against, there was a demand for concentration needed for the game and I thought, on that side of it, getting the clean sheet and not too many scares in the game I thought we were quite alright," he added.

"It is just disappointing we didn't make more of some good positions, either our final cross or turning down chances to shoot, and try to put them under a big more pressure."

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An offer of €10m (£8.6m) would be sufficient for Besiktas to part with Vaclav Cerny, who has been linked with a return to Rangers, with the Turkish club being more amenable to his exit should they complete the signing of Mohamed Salah. Ekrem Konur on X, external

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Rangers striker Danilo has returned to his native Brazil to join top-flight club Botofago on a year-long loan with what the Ibrox club describe as a conditional obligation to buy.

The 27-year-old was out of previous head coach Danny Rohl's plans, spending the second part of last season on loan to Nijmegen, and is now also out of picture under new manager Derek McInnes.

Botofago currently sit ninth of the 20 clubs in the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A after 19 games.

The Rio de Janeiro club point out that Danilo won two Dutch titles (and one Dutch Cup) during six years with Ajax and one with Feyenoord before his move to Rangers in 2023, when he helped the Ibrox side win the Scottish League Cup.

However, the one-time Ajax top scorer found the net just once in 12 outings back in the Netherlands with Nijmegen having scored four in 28 appearances for Rangers in the first half of the season.

Overall, he scored 16 goals in 77 games for the Glasgow club, more than half of the appearances being as a substitute, having had an injury hit beginning to his career in Scotland.

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MLS side Charlotte are in talks to sign former Rangers captain James Tavernier. Anthony Joseph on X, external

Former Rangers head coach Danny Rohl insists he wanted Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland before departing to join RB Salzburg. Daily Record - subscription required, external

Hungarian champions Gyori ETO have hinted that they would be open to selling midfielder Milan Vitalis, who was linked with Celtic and Rangers in May. Daily Record, external

Rangers striker Danilo has arrived in Brazil and is set to undergo a medical on Friday to complete the 27-year-old's loan move to Botafogo. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, Rangers centre-half John Souttar and the Scotland international's brother, Australia and Leicester City defender Harry, are all on West Ham United's summer radar. (iNews, external)

AC Milan have almost reached an agreement with Troyes to sign 20-year-old central defender Sankhoun Diawara, for whom Rangers and Basel have expressed an interest. (Foot Mercato, external)

Mikey Moore is "buzzing to be back" after playing the second half of Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 friendly victory over MK Dons, with the 18-year-old winger saying he has returned from his loan to Rangers a better player. (The Herald, external)

Jagiellonia Bialystok have confirmed that United States midfielder AZ Jackson has refused to return to Poland for pre-season training after the 24-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan to Vancouver Whitecaps and he will not feature against Rangers in Europa League qualifying. (Glasgow Times, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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The four-match ban handed out to Rangers boss Derek McInnes is disproportionate, according to the club's former midfielder Andy Halliday.

McInnes described the decision to award Celtic a late penalty at Motherwell in May as "disgusting" while he was still in charge of Hearts.

Celtic's 3-2 victory at Fir Park on 13 May kept them one point behind Hearts, who they beat to the title a few days later in a final-day decider.

Rangers have contested the decision, saying the remarks were "directed at the decision, rather than representing any broader criticism of officials".

"I don't think the punishment does fit the crime," Halliday told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Thankfully, I wasn't mic'd up after the game when I saw the penalty incident back because it may have been a couple more than four games.

"Listen, I think it's always a difficult one because players and managers in this country come under a whole load of criticism after a game.

"I think you're allowed to criticise a referee's performance, but you certainly can't get personal, you can't insinuate anything. When I look at Denim McKinsey's comments, I don't think they went overboard enough to warrant a four-game ban.

"Similar incidents - Callum McGregor's comments about the Austin Trusty red card at Celtic Park that resulted in no ban whatsoever. The season before when Brendan Rodgers commented on John Beaton's performance at Tynecastle where it resulted in a one game ban, a one game ban that allowed them to be in the dugout against Rangers in the second game.

"So I wasn't surprised whatsoever to learn that Rangers have appealed the process and it'll be interesting to see how that goes."

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Cammy Devlin remained humble when it was suggested his introduction as a half-time substitute helped change the game in Rangers' favour as he made his first appearance for Derek McInnes' side in Wednesday's 2-1 pre-season friendly win over St Etienne.

But the Australia midfielder, who signed this summer after leaving Hearts, admitted that his relationship with the new Rangers manager should help both make an impact at Ibrox.

"It does help," Devlin told Rangers TV. "I think he's been brilliant with me since I had him at Hearts.

"He was so good for me. Really brought out the best in me and brought I think another level to to my game.

"And, fortunately enough for me, he's been a big big part of bringing me over to Rangers and it's something I'm so grateful for.

"So I've got to repay the faith he's had in me."

Rangers took the lead from a penalty by former Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, Ian Cathro's Ligue 2 side equalised through previously Celtic-linked midfielder Jakob Breum before Thelo Aasgaard secured the win with another spot kick.

"Obviously they were a good team - they played some really good football and the gaffer obviously made a little change at half-time taking Finn [Curtis] off," Devlin said.

"Nothing to do with how Finn played - I thought he 40 was really good. We just needed more numbers in midfield and I thought that change really helped.

"I don't don't know if that was me or everyone just just played really well. Happy to play my part and like I said, just loved being out there with the boys. Really really special coming here for my first game as a Rangers player."

Devlin suggested the new and existing players "were connecting really well" against St Etienne.

"Obviously, I've I've played against a lot of the boys over the years - I don't know if they liked me too much," he joked. "But, no, it's been great."

Rangers are leading the chase for Sturm Graz defensive midfielder Ryan Fosso, but Levante have also tabled an offer to the 23-year-old's representatives while Torino are among Italian clubs interested. (Sky Sports, external)

Jens Hjerto-Dahl wishes to have more time to consider his options after Cardiff City tabled an improved bid worth £7.8m - £6.2m initially with £1.6m in add-ons - for the 20-year-old Tromso midfielder who previously expressed a preference to join Rangers. (iTromso, external)

Cardiff City's increased offer for Jens Hjerto-Dahl is likely to be big enough to be accepted by Tromso should minor tweaks be made, with Rangers' interest appearing to cool as they progress alternative midfield targets. (Nordlys, external)

Rangers are set to formalise their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion winger Amario Cozier-Duberry after Anderlecht had a £5m bid rejected and with Hull City, Paris FC, Red Bull Salzburg and West Ham United also keen on the 21-year-old. (Simon Collings on X, external)

Rangers manager Derek McInnes reckons two signings could be completed before Sunday's friendly against West Ham United, with another potentially following before next Friday's league opener against Dundee United. (Scottish Sun, external)

James Penrice's representatives say Rangers are not interested in the AEK Athens right-back but there is a small window of opportunity for Celtic to sign the 27-year-old Scot. (Box2Box, external)

Former Scotland striker and ex-Rangers manager Ally McCoist has admitted he would never turn down the chance to be national head coach as the hunt for Steve Clarke's successor continues. (TalkSport, external)

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Penalties from Lawrence Shankland and Thelo Aasgaard earned Rangers a 2-1 friendly victory over St Etienne at Ibrox.

In what was manager Derek McInnes' home bow, Shankland tucked away an early spot-kick after a foul on Mohamed Diomande.

There was a starting debut for goalkeeper Ivor Padur, who made a good save to deny Jakob Breum.

Youssef Chermiti hit the crossbar before the Ligue 2 side managed by Scotsman Ian Cathro levelled through Breum.

Rangers began in a 4-4-2 formation, with Diomande tucking in on the right and Findlay Curtis wide on the left, with Cammy Devlin making his debut as a half-time replacement for the Scotland winger.

Aasgaard was introduced on the hour and the Norway international cracked in the hosts' second penalty on 82 minutes after Bojan Mivoski was brought down by goalkeeper Gautier Laesonneur.

Rangers host West Ham on Sunday before they begin their Scottish Premiership campaign away to Dundee United a week on Friday.

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Ivor Pandur cannot wait to get started at Rangers and the Croatian goalkeeper believes he has arrived at the "perfect time" in his quest for silverware.

The 26-year-old was signed from Hull City at the end of June but has just arrived in Glasgow this week after representing his country at the World Cup.

Pandur, who has yet to earn a full international cap, agreed a four-year contract, having helped Hull win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

"I have worked all my career for this moment to be here and I'm really excited and ready to go," he told club media.

"All of my career I have wanted to be part of a club that fights for trophies and I feel like this is the perfect time to do it.

"I have a lot of experience behind me, and I'm ready to give everything for this club."

Pandur made 48 appearances for Hull last season, having joined from Dutch club Fortuna Sittard in January 2024.

He started with local club Rijeka and spent three years with Hellas Verona in Italy.

"I started talking [to Rangers] maybe four years ago when I was still in Holland, but it wasn't the right moment," Pandur revealed.

He also sought advice from Hull team-mates John Lundstram and Kieran Dowell, who both have recent experience of playing for Rangers, along with compatriot Antonio Colak, who left Ibrox in 2023.

"They all said you'll never experience anything like it," Pandur added.

"They said it's one of the biggest clubs you can sign for, and that's why I didn't have much thinking to do.

"When I knew it was really serious and it could be done, it was the first thing I did. I wanted to hear their thoughts and experiences about everything.

"Everything they said just made me more sure it's what I want to do."

Meanwhile, Rangers have confirmed that Simon Ireland has replaced Scott Fry as the club's new set-piece coach.

The 54-year-old, who held the same position at Huddersfield Town, left a coaching role at Barrow at the end of last term.

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Bringing Czech winger Vaclav Cerny back to Rangers is likely more realistic than signing Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell suggests.

Both have been mentioned in the summer transfer speculation, with Cerny having joined Besiktas since his loan to Rangers, while Ferguson is battling to impress new Bologna head coach Domenico Tedesco amid interest from around Europe.

"I think all Rangers fans would absolutely love him to have him [Ferguson] at the club," Bell told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

"It would be a brilliant signing for Rangers. But, realistically, I think it is probably just out of Rangers' reach at the moment."

Bell suggested it could depend on how much of a fee they receive should the expected sale of Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin go through.

He reckons new Rangers manager Derek McInnes has recruited well this summer but thinks finding a threat down the wings is key.

"They struggled last season," Bell added. "They brought in a number of players, and they have done over the last few windows, that haven't worked.

"A top, top winger that's going to play at the top level week in, week out is difficult to find.

"You look at Czerny, I think he was a good player when he was at Rangers. If he'd been there longer, I think he would have improved even further with the club, so I don't think that would be a bad move if they can make it happen.

"He obviously already understands the expectations, because that's a big thing."

AC Milan have put in a late bid for Troyes centre-half Sankhoun Diawara in an attempt to gazump Rangers, who hope the 20-year-old will prefer first-team football with them than being part of the Italians' under-23 squad. (Scottish Sun, external)

Partizan and Rangers have agreed a £4.7m transfer fee for Vanja Dragojević, with the Serbian club receiving 10% of any future sale, but the Ibrox club will only pay £2.1m immediately as part of three installments. (Telegraf, external)

A social media post has all but confirmed Partizan captain Vanja Dragojevic's move to Ibrox, with the images showing the 20-year-old midfielder with a Rangers-themed cake featuring the club badge and a shirt with "Vanja 22" on it and wishing him luck in Scotland. (Glasgow Times, external)

Brighton & Hove Albion have rejected a £5m offer from an unnamed Belgian club for 21-year-old winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, with Rangers, Augsburg, Paris FC and West Ham United also interested. (Get World Football News on X, external)

Rangers are monitoring Manchester United full-back James Overy and there is also A-League interest in the 18-year-old. (Daily Mail, external)

Cardiff City remain locked in talks over a deal for Tromsø midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl despite intense speculation surrounding Rangers' interest in the 20-year-old. (Wales Online, external)

Cardiff City, Sheffield United and Watford are keen on Scotland centre-half John Souttar, with Rangers looking for a seven-figure fee for the 29-year-old who is not so keen on Leicester City as he is reluctant to drop to England's third tier. (Daily Record, external)

John Souttar's Aberdeen-born brother, Australia centre-back Harry, is expected to be sold by Leicester City this summer, with West Ham United and Wrexham both keen on the 27-year-old. (Daily Record, external)

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Ryan Naderi says Derek McInnes' experience as a former Rangers player will be beneficial to the current squad in understanding the demands at the club.

McInnes played at Ibrox between 1995 and 2000, and after several years of being linked with a return as manager, finally left Hearts to take over from Danny Rohl last month.

"I feel you notice that the coach has been a player here," said Naderi.

"I think that's the biggest change. You just feel that every time he speaks, he speaks about identifying with this club, he's trying to put this over to his players, and I think it's working well.

"I feel like it's always easier if you've worked with this club before. You just went through the perspective of a player. You just know what the fans expect and how to handle those situations.

"I think it's obviously a big advantage, yes."

Naderi said he welcomes the increased competition for starting striker berths following the arrival of Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, but stressed he is "not here to sit on the bench".

The former Hansa Rostock striker also confirmed he had held discussions with head coach Alexsandar Dimitrov about pledging his international future to Bulgaria, with Naderi also eligible to play for Germany, the land of his birth, and the Czech Republic.

"We had nice conversations, good conversations," Naderi added.

"It was at a moment where I didn't feel like I wanted to focus on the national team. I was in the middle of the title race and wanted to win the league. Obviously, in that phase, I'm not focusing on the national team.

"Germany is where I was born and grew up. Of course, Germany is a dream. I have three nationalities. I'm proud of all three of them.

"We'll see where it goes."

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Rangers have responded to an independent review into fan disorder at March's Scottish Cup meeting with Celtic by stressing that they have "no plans to restore historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox".

Both sides face disciplinary charges from the Scottish FA over the unrest that followed the quarter-final match, which was won on penalties by the Parkhead side in Govan.

The Ibrox club reiterated that the disorder was "unacceptable" and condemned those involved.

They also accepted responsibility for the "areas within the club's control" but said they do not agree with the report in its entirety.

Rangers claim they were against an away allocation of about 8,000 being granted and that they "set out clear safety concerns" about the increased number of visiting fans attending the derby.

They say they enhanced their planning to reflect those risks, but added that those increased measures were "severely tested by those determined to cause disorder".

Their statement adds: "We are concerned about the description and limited examination of the decision to allocate around 8,000 tickets to Celtic, which materially changed the risk profile of the fixture.

"The report also proposes a pathway towards a return to full away allocations between Rangers and Celtic. This was not part of the terms of reference of this report and does not reflect our position.

"We have no plans to restore historic Old Firm allocations at Ibrox."

Rangers also said the review should have scrutinised the SFA's actions surrounding the match further and labelled that "a significant omission".

Meanwhile, the Govan club have enforced bans on some fans involved and insist "serious misconduct will result in serious consequences".