Rangers

Watch all the highlights as Ryan Naderi helped Rangers to a narrow victory at home to Motherwell. Available to UK users only.

Rangers fans, we asked for your opinions on the 1-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday afternoon. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Alex: It was a laboured victory but really should have been an easy 5-0 or 6-0. Poor finishing and last-ditch defending ensured a nervy final 10 minutes. Better defensive display but really need to convert the chances, especially penalties and open goals.

Greig: Will take the win but not a convincing performance, so many chances gone a begging. The final score should have been 4-0. The next step is to win by more than one goal as that game could have easily ended in a draw.

Graeme: Still not impressed by the performance. Djeidi Gassama was a bright spark. Better finishing and the game could have been won much earlier. Another injury just sums up being a Rangers fan right now - infuriating!

Sally: This was always the danger of bringing in Lawrence Shankland. As an older and more experienced striker he was susceptible to injury. Given time, Kevin Kelsey and Ryan Naderi might form a partnership. Woeful finishing will cost Rangers dearly.

Stuart: Better team performance with the players looking after each other. Should have been a comfortable win but if we keep making chances I'm sure the goals will come. I don't think the team have total faith in Emmanuel Fernandez, hopefully he can gain their confidence by improving his concentration levels. Let's hope this is the start of better times ahead.

Arthur: Rangers' three wins on the spin have all been unconvincing. Penalties, offside goals and sendings off all contributed to preventing the league being over in August. With Shankland and Youssef Chermiti out, a bleak winter of discontent awaits Rangers.

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Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez feels the togetherness is building at Ibrox after a tricky start to the new season.

Derek McInnes' side made it three Premiership wins in a row with Saturday's 1-0 victory at home to Motherwell.

Rangers initially struggled under the new manager - a defeat in Europa League qualifying to Jagiellonia Bialystok was sandwiched between an opening day draw at Dundee United and a defeat at home to Hibs.

But Fernandez feels things are finally turning for the Glasgow club.

"I feel like the togetherness is getting better," Fernandez said.

"Maybe our performances haven't been better from the Aberdeen game, but as we've grown as a team, we've got that togetherness. And I feel like we're growing, and I still think there's more to come.

"Obviously we had a bad start not being in Europe. It was difficult. So the manager showed us that there's still three trophies that are available to win, and we have a domestic charge where we have the possibility of doing something great.

"I feel like him showing us that and showing us how we need to get the fans behind us is the positivity he has brought.

"And within the team, the togetherness, the leadership groups, the leaders within the group, is something that the manager has brought to the team."

The centre-back also shared his relief at the end of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Belgium midfielder Nico Raskin remaining at the club.

"Everything settles around the club," he added.

"All the anxiety of what's going on settles and I feel like that's where the team understands that this person is going to be beside them the next game, and this person is going to be here for the foreseeable future.

"And I feel like that's what you need as a team. Uncertainty over who's going to be here is a bit difficult."

Rangers' kit manufacturer Castore has received several takeover approaches and is considering a sale. (Sky News), external

Former Rangers midfielder Brahim Hemdani has been appointed Algeria manager. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Rangers made it three Scottish Premiership wins in a row as Ryan Naderi pounced on a mistake by Motherwell goalkeeper Alex Paulsen to score the only goal of the game at Ibrox.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "We'd have taken any sort of win because we're up against a good team in form but I really enjoyed how many chances we created, I enjoyed the organisation of the team.

"We kept Motherwell really at arm's length for a lot of the game. They're a team who normally get a lot of plaudits for their creativity. We did both sides of the game really well, what we didn't do is just put the game to bed in terms of getting that second goal. It could've been a far bigger scoreline on the chances created.

"Really pleased with a lot of what we saw. Obviously, we've picked up a couple of little knocks, which is far from ideal. In terms of a better performance, it was there in spades."

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson had agreed to join Rangers this summer, but the Ibrox club failed to put an offer to Bologna, according to father Derek, who does not think the transfer can be revived in January for the 27-year-old. (Open Goal, external)

Besiktas failed to meet the £20m fee Rangers were bargaining on for Nicolas Raskin and manager Derek McInnes thinks the 25-year-old Belgium midfielder must now concentrate on playing well to win a big-money move in January. (Daily Record, external)

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has promised to reveal more about the future of John Souttar early next week after a transfer away from Ibrox failed to materialise for the 29-year-old Scotland centre-half. (The Herald, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Deadline-day signings Venezuela striker Kevin Kelsy and Algeria winger Badredine Bouanani go straight into the Rangers squad.

Midfielder Dan Neil and defender Dujon Sterling return after missing the midweek win at Falkirk.

Left-back Tuur Rommens will return to full training in between the two upcoming Celtic games after recovering from a groin problem, while striker Youssef Chermiti is out long term with an ACL injury.

Motherwell remain without Johnny Koutroumbis, Oscar Priestman (calf), Paul McGinn, Callum Hendry (both knee) and Jordan McGhee (hamstring).

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• Rangers' Lawrence Shankland has scored 10 Scottish Premiership goals against Motherwell, his most against a single opponent. Shankland has three goals in his last two league appearances, including a brace against Falkirk last time out.

• Motherwell have scored eight goals in four Scottish Premiership games this season, their most at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20 (also eight), last scoring more after four league games in 2005-06 (10).

• Rangers have lost each of their last three home league games, including one against Motherwell in April (2-3). Never in their history have the Gers suffered four successive home league defeats.

• After their 3-2 win at Ibrox in April, Motherwell could enjoy successive league victories over Rangers for the first time since April 1960. The Steelmen have won three of their last five away league games at Rangers (L2), as many as their previous 59 beforehand (W3 D7 L49), and could win successive visits for the first time in their league history at the 143rd attempt.

• Rangers have only won one of their last six league meetings with Motherwell (D3 L2), a 1-0 victory in December 2025.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Derek McInnes admits he took "a huge sigh of relief" when the summer transfer window closed and hopes it will bring "clarity and calmness" to Rangers.

In total, the Ibrox club signed 14 players, with striker Kevin Kelsy and winger Badredine Bouanani arriving on Thursday shortly before the deadline.

McInnes described this summer as the "longest window I've ever known" and is glad all the dealing is over for now.

"We all took a huge sigh of relief when the window closed," the Ibrox manager said before Saturday's Scottish Premiership visit of Motherwell.

"It feels like I've been to war, this window, to be honest, it feels like the longest window I've ever known and there's always so much to consider.

"We've managed to get a lot of what we were after but I think it's fair to say we never got everything we were looking for from the window. There's no manager out there that would probably get everything they wanted. We've got to be pleased that we've done so much work.

"We've got a strong squad, certainly strong in terms of numbers as well, then it's important now we just knuckle down and get on with the job in hand, because I think that clarity and calmness is so important for a club, but more importantly for a dressing room."

After the disappointment of their European exit, Rangers have won successive Scottish Premiership matches.

"The dressing room, over the last couple of weeks in particular, has been so strong and so together," McInnes explained. "It actually feels like a football dressing room, and the humour and the togetherness and how we work has felt far more like what I would expect my dressing rooms to look like, to behave like.

"That's important when you come through some adversity and obviously with some stinging results already. We've bounced back really well in terms of two tough away games. It's that sort of spirit and togetherness that helps you get through the tough times."

McInnes also believes Belgium midfielder Nico Raskin can play a key part in his dressing room. Amid two failed bids for Raskin from Turkish club Besiktas, McInnes "feels that his experience as a midfielder can help us in more challenges ahead".

"I just want the players not to waste their minutes," the manager added. "Don't waste your opportunity," McInnes said. "Don't see any day as a lazy day.

"You train professionally and you train as if you're trying to get in the team on a Saturday. So, with all that in mind, I feel also that having that togetherness, the window closed now, competition for places, hopefully those standards can be driven by each other every day."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes is "disappointed" there will be no away fans at upcoming Old Firm matches this season.

The SPFL announced the decision after Celtic challenged the decision by their Glasgow rivals to give them just 300 tickets for the League Cup clash at Ibrox on 13 September.

For last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final, also at Ibrox, Celtic were given the traditional allocation of 8000 tickets but following crowd trouble at that game, a reduced figure of 2500 was agreed.

But in light of Celtic's decision to challenge the 300 ticket allocation, the league have decided to ban all away fans from the ground.

"Obviously it's disappointing," McInnes said after hearing the decision moments before stepping into his press conference.

"I don't know the club's position on it at the minute, I think it's more appropriate that the club speaks on it.

"It's always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game, there's still got to be behaviours met and obviously that's the decision that's been made.

"I haven't spoken to anybody at the club regarding that, so I can't really comment any more than that.

"Generally speaking, I think it's always better, in any fixture, in any game, if your supporters are there to be able to watch your team.

"In the context of everything that's gone on with this fixture and the last part of it, I think there's a lot to consider and a lot to discuss.

"As far as I was led to believe, that was still up for discussion so it's kind of caught me on the hop a wee bit."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes says defender John Souttar's position needs to be addressed after the Scotland international remained with the Ibrox club beyond the transfer deadline.

Souttar, 29, had been linked with a move, with his current contract at Rangers running until next summer. He previously played for Dundee United and Hearts and has won 24 senior international caps.

"John was in that situation where there was a lot of things going on for him," said McInnes.

"It was kind of made clear that it would maybe be the best option for John to maybe look for something.

"Now that that's not materialised for him or the club, we just need to address that and see what's the best way forward.

"I've got my own views on that."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match at home to Motherwell on Saturday. Here are his main points:

• McInnes admits he's "disappointed" at the news there will be no away supporters at the upcoming Old Firm League Cup tie at Ibrox or this season's league meetings of Celtic and Rangers. The manager says it's "always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game," but "there's still got to be behaviours met and obviously that's the decision that's been made".

• On the transfer window, McInnes says Rangers have "managed to get a lot of what we were after" and hopes not to be as busy in every transfer window as the club "have to try and bring some sort of calmness and stability".

• The manager admits there was a bit of relief when the window closed on Thursday and says it's important to bring a bit of "clarity and calmness" to a club and they can "just knuckle down and get on with the job in hand".

• McInnes believes Rangers can "provide so much opportunity for players" and he wants everyone to "really commit to being here".

• The manager says the dressing room over the past couple of weeks in particular has been "so strong and so together". "It actually feels like a football dressing room and the humour and the togetherness," he added.

• McInnes believes he has "competition" in his squad and hopes it will "drive standards".

• On bringing in Stuttgart winger Badredine Bouanani on loan, the manager says he will provide quality in the wide right area because it has been a key position - and a problem position - for Rangers for a number of seasons.

• On Belgium midfielder Nico Raskin, who was the subject of interest from Besiktas, McInnes says "his experience as a midfielder can help us in more challenges ahead". Regarding not playing Raskin in European games earlier this season, the manager said it was not his decision, "it was a club decision to protect investment".

• On Scotland defender John Souttar, McInnes says the player's situation needs to be addressed after a move away did not materialise.

• Team news: Left-back Tuur Rommens should be back training before Celtic's visit next weekend. New attacking signings Kevin Kelsy and Bouanani both trained on Friday morning and will be in the squad to face Motherwell.

Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness wishes winger Badredine Bouanani, 21, well for his loan move to Rangers from the German side. (Glasgow Times - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

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New Rangers striker Kevin Kelsy is "hungry to make an impact" after joining Derek McInnes' side on a four-year deal.

The forward has spent the last 18 months with MLS side Portland Timbers but is "ready for this new chapter".

And Kelsy could start that new chapter with a debut on Saturday as Rangers host Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

"I've heard a lot about the club," he told club media.

"Even when I was younger, I saw the team in Europe. I know what the club means to the fans.

"I would love to bring some joy to the fans and the club, and score goals to bring amazing moments to the team.

"I know we have to win all the games and play well, and I'll be ready for this with my teammates. I'm ready for this new chapter in my life."

Manger McInnes already has high hopes for his new striker who will provide support for captain Lawrence Shankland.

"We're really pleased to welcome Kevin to the club," McInnes said.

"He's an exciting player with a lot of attributes, and what really stood out in our conversations is how hungry he is to make an impact.

"He'll bring real quality to an area of the pitch we have been keen to strengthen, and his arrival gives us another exciting option going forward.

"Kevin has a great attitude and a real desire to improve, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can bring at Rangers."

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Striker Lawrence Shankland feels like a weight has been lifted as his goals helped Rangers pick up back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time this season.

The former Hearts forward scored the decisive penalty at Pittodrie on Sunday and both of Rangers' goals in their 2-1 win at Falkirk on Wednesday night.

That's now four goals for the 31-year-old, who had come under fire for his brief drought since joining his former boss Derek McInnes at Ibrox this summer.

"As a striker, you're always going to receive that kind of scrutiny when you're not scoring goals," Shankland said.

"Luckily, throughout my career it's something I've been pretty good at so I can always have believe for myself and back myself to go and get it eventually. And it was two too good finishes that I'm happy with.

"In the last couple of games the boys have started to look more like themselves and the boys are looking bright in the forward areas and obviously it comes with confidence as well.

"When you win games, everybody feels a bit more confident and the weight on your shoulders feels a bit less and you can go and perform more like yourself and I felt we've seen that and especially in the forward areas.

"The signs have been more positive the last couple of games but we're not going to get too carried away and we'll keep improving, and hopefully, keep winning games."

Shankland will be joined by Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy, who has joined Rangers on an initial four-year deal.

And the Scotland international is looking forward to some healthy competition.

"He'll be a welcome addition to the squad and throughout the season we're going to need good players to turn up so hopefully he can come and do that and hit the ground running," Shankland added.

"As I said, obviously you want good competition, you want good players in your squad and that maybe allows us to play different systems at times, obviously the manager likes to change the team to one striker or sometimes two.

"Listen, the more options that we have the better and the quality throughout the squad needs to be good if we're going to be successful in the season."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views after Wednesday night's 2-1 win at Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Carl: The three points is the important thing but there is so much more required, especially with the centre-back pairing. Emmanuel Fernandez needs to be benched, the attempted pass across the back in the second half would have been punished by a better striker. His all round performance since the start of the season has been poor and I'm being kind. He isn't the only one lacking though, could go on and on.

Ronnie: Another three points, another gutsy if not brilliant performance. Lawrence Shankland took a huge step towards convincing Rangers fans that he merits the captain's armband. Djeidi Gassama continues to impress and Ross McCrorie came off the bench to give a Ronaldinho impression. We still have lots of work to do but back-to-back wins is a start.

Fraser: Totally boring game, less than convincing. I switched it off half way through the second half. Gassama looked really up for it ,the rest were really toiling. We aren't going to beat Celtic on that performance.

Stuart: Another shaky performance but a win is a win. Falkirk did not deserve to lose but Shankland proved to be the difference. Surely Derek McInnes can no longer have faith in Fernandez, he has been poor this season and needs a huge wake up call. He has to realise that unless he changes his attitude he is a liability to his teammates.

Peter: Another nervy win, a game that could easily have gone either way. Two good goals from Shankland, we need someone reliable to feed him though. Sloppy play at the back again will cost us if not addressed. We are not out of the woods yet, far from it.

Gerald: To say I'm lost for words would be an understatement. Inept, lacklustre, spineless, unconvincing, disjointed, need I go on? We are again witnessing the demise of a team we were optimistic about being built with the funds made available. Someone has to be held accountable for the lack of quality being brought in. Derek McInnes is trying to convince himself, never mind us, that things are moving in the right direction. I dread to look at the next games never mind the future.