Rangers

Image source, SNS

He may be the man for the big occasion, but Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti still has work to do if he is to be considered a top striker, according to former Celtic full-back Jackie McNamara.

The much-maligned striker scored two goals in Rangers' Old Firm victory back in January, and added to his tally with a hat-trick in the crunch match over Hearts on Sunday.

The former Everton man still has just seven goals in his debut campaign, and now faces competition for a starting spot with new signing Ryan Naderi.

"The biggest thing is consistency," McNamara said. "Has he got attributes? Yeah, he can move, he's physical, he's good in the air.

"Technically, he's not brilliant, but he scores a hat-trick, and he looked world-class against Celtic in the second half.

"If you're going to lead the line for Rangers, you've got to have that every game."

However, Cyriel Dessers - a striker who was often criticised yet had an outstanding goal record for Rangers - only struck eight goals in his opening 19 league matches, a goal more than Chermiti after the same number of appearances.

"You've got have that consistency," the former Dundee United boss added. "You've got to be on the end of everything and be able to finish.

"What's his reaction to the hat-trick now? Again, strikers are all about confidence, but for him it has to be some kind of consistency there."

• Jackie McNamara was speaking on the Scottish football podcast, available here.

Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.

Julian Araujo - Celtic

What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.

Stephen Welsh - Motherwell

Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.

Ross Graham - Dundee United

Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.

Cameron Congreve - Dundee

A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.

Craig Sibbald - Dundee United

Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.

Elijah Just - Motherwell

For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.

Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic

Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.

Simon Murray - Dundee

Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.

The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.

Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock

The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.

Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.

We asked you Rangers fans for your views on the 4-2 win over Hearts at Ibrox. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Elaine: At last! A team with some fight about them. Brilliant to see big Youssef Chermitti getting his hat-trick. Now we can believe we are in a title race. If we hadn't gifted Hearts two goals, they never looked like scoring. Now we hunt!

David: Maybe not for the purist, but a great game to watch. Our best performance of the season. We played with amazing energy, pace, heart and passion and deserved the win. The real Rangers turned up today. Need this level of intensity and determination in every game.

Steven: While the performance and score midweek was poor, had we turned up then like we did today, we would be top of the pile. This result and large parts of the performance have to be catalyst for the rest of the season now. Nothing else will do. Nice to see Chermiti on the scoresheet but he simply has to be more consistent and our defence need to tighten up.

Alan: Never in doubt. Even at 0-1 and 1-2, we looked in control and like we would out-score the opposition. Chermiti is a bit of an enimgma. I've always said there's a player in there somewhere. Hopefully the big man kicks on from here.

Harry: Rangers may have finally had a very good transfer window and the goals are beginning to flow. Still a bit shakey at the back but much improved and they are a much better watch now than under Russell Martin. Just need faster ball going forward and less passing across the back four.

Derek: Chermiti continues to split the support. There's no denying he scored three excellent goals today, but you can't play him and Ryan Naderi in the same team - they are too similar. Still too many basic mistakes in defence. If we continue to play like we did, Danny Rohl will get his wish from us. It was the best atmosphere of the season. Long may it continue.

Robert: A big statement win. We need to cut out the daft defensive mistakes though. If only Chermiti could have show that composure in front of goal more often we could have been top of the league by now. Massive games in two weeks' time although we need to take care of the Livingston game first.

Rangers overcome leaders Hearts in a thrilling Scottish Premiership encounter (UK users only).

Youssef Chermiti scored an incredible hat-trick as Rangers beat Hearts for the first time this season to move to within two points of the Scottish Premiership leaders in a rousing contest at Ibrox.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

Image source, SNS

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "We showed big personality to come back two times. We gave them two presents. Except from these two conceded goals, we nearly played a perfect game. Over 90 minutes, we were the better team, we fully deserved this win.

"Since I'm here, best atmosphere in the stadium. If we are doing this again with my group, with the fans, it will be a good, good season. We had so much energy in the stadium, on the field.

"I'm very happy for my group. We should not speak again this season about mentality. We should keep this momentum. Next week, we have to deliver again.

"The gap is just the two points now. I think it's now a race with three teams. It will be a great finish in this league and we are in the race. A few months ago, nobody thought about this and we showed our development.

"We have a big opportunity. We are middle in the race, this is what we want, this is what we tried since I'm here to have a small chance and now we are in the middle of this exciting race and let's see what we can do.

"[Youssef Chermiti scored] three goals, he worked hard for the group. I always believe in him. My job is now to keep him hungry and he will be hungry because he'll want to score more but big games are for big players and today he showed how big he is."

Rangers and Celtic are both eyeing respective summer moves for highly-rated 22-year-old Dundee centre-half Luke Graham. (Football Insider), external

Rangers are likely to delay contract talks with 34-year-old captain and right-back James Tavernier until the end of the Scottish Premiership season so they can focus on beating Heart of Midlothian and Celtic to the title. (Football Insider), external

Danilo was "incredibly relieved" to seal a loan move to Nijmegen at the end of the January transfer window after he first had to wait until Rangers' last-minute deal to sign fellow striker Ryan Naderi. (Gelderlander.nl. via The National), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Jack Butland is urging his Rangers team-mates to embrace the noise around Sunday's top-of-the-table clash against leaders Hearts.

Derek McInnes' men have already beaten Rangers home and away this season as they prepare for the trip to Glasgow's southside.

For Danny Rohl's men, Sunday is an opportunity to bounce back from the midweek draw with Motherwell and cut the gap at the top to two points.

"Embrace it," Butland said of the noise and hype around the fixture.

"You can't get away from it. We spoke about it a lot. Good, bad, and ugly, so you're going to hear about it at some point, so you just have to embrace it.

"Embrace what it means to be a part of this club, embrace what it means to be in a great position still with a fantastic game coming on the weekend."

When Rohl took over Rangers were 13 points behind the league leaders but Butland insists their impressive comeback means nothing if they don't kick on.

"What the season started like is irrelevant now because we're now in a position where things can be really good," he added.

"So, the expectations have changed, the energies change, and now we're in a positive place again.

"When you get there, the expectation is that you just kick on and just keep flying. It's not as easy as that but we're in a great position.

"There's going be plenty of twists and turns, but everything is still very much in our hands and whoever wants to grasp it will have the best opportunity to win it in the end.

"For us, we certainly have that opportunity still and a great opportunity at home in front of all our fans on the weekend to really keep that going.

"There's still 12 games to go. The focus is winning the game. That's what we're setting out to do in every game.

"There's a long, long way to go, still, but it is hugely important.

"We're focused on trying to win every game. But one step at a time and that starts on Sunday."

Image source, SNS

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was keeping his team news cards close to his chest when he spoke to the media on Friday.

Right-back Max Aarons missed the draw with Motherwell, while long-term injured Connor Barron and Derek Cornelius are still out.

Hearts centre-half Craig Halkett returns from suspension, but fellow defender Stephen Kingsley has suffered a fresh injury setback.

Cammy Devlin, Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock remain sidelined.

Image source, SNS

• Since the start of last season, no player has more goal involvements for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership than Nicolas Raskin (22 – seven goals, 15 assists), the midfielder scoring their goal in the midweek 1-1 draw with Motherwell.

• Hearts have kept more clean sheets (five) in the Premiership in 2026 so far than any side, while only Motherwell (two) have conceded fewer goals in the competition than Hearts' three in this calendar year.

• Rangers have won their past nine home games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 28-2, beating Queen's Park 8-0 last time out – their largest home winning margin since beating Hamilton Academical 8-0 in the league in November 2020.

• Hearts have won both of their away league games at Celtic and Rangers this season; in Scottish league history, the only occasions of any team beating the two Old Firm clubs three times away from home in a single season are Aberdeen in 1979-80 and in 1982-83.

• Rangers have lost their past two league meetings with Hearts, last losing three in a row in March 1986 under Jock Wallace. 1985-86 is the only season the Ibrox side have ever lost three times to Hearts within a single league campaign.

Rangers captain James Tavernier's age is the biggest sticking point when it comes to whether the 34-year-old right-back will sign a new contract at Ibrox before this summer. (Football Insider), external

Rangers have a fresh chance to sign £6-rated long-term target Silas Andersen after Hacken rejected a January bid from Cologne for the 21-year-old midfielder who is expected to leave this summer. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Danny Rohl insists struggling striker Youssef Chermiti has his full "belief and trust" despite a difficult debut season with Rangers.

The 21-year-old Portuguese joined from Everton in the summer - when Russell Martin was Ibrox boss - for a reported fee of £8m, but has scored just four goals in 28 appearances.

Having netted a double in Rangers' 3-1 derby win at Celtic Park in early January, Chermiti has drawn a blank in the following six matches, missing a golden chance to put his side two up at Motherwell in midweek before they shipped a late leveller.

But boss Rohl takes confidence from the striker's performance in the Old Firm game and feels it's only a matter of time before he starts hitting form.

Rohl, whose side host Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday, was asked at his Friday news conference how to get the best out of the struggling striker.

"You give him belief and trust," the German said.

"You can imagine for Youssef, it's tough for him. Not about the reaction [from fans], it's more about how he feels.

"He knows he wants to score. He wants a lot for the group. He comes in a good situation. I wish that the next time he takes an extra touch and then he looks for the corner, he makes it.

"But it will come, I totally believe, because I see a lot of things in him.

"It's again the small moments and it comes not just when you think 'should I shoot or not?' No, it's about hard working again, trying your best, coming again in situations, and then we celebrate him.

"It was the Celtic game when he scored, he turned the game with fantastic goals, and he can do this again. I believe, totally."

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media before the top-of-the-table clash against Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the main points:

• Rohl wouldn't be drawn on his team news, saying: "What I learned the last time was to speak not too early about who is available."

• Having taken over when Rangers were 13 points behind leaders Hearts, Rohl says the chance to cut the gap to two points is a "big opportunity" and stresses "we want to win, we know what that means".

• He adds: "It's also a big game for Hearts. If you are 13 points ahead of a club and you drop maybe to two points, maybe there's also pressure on them. Both teams know what's about in this game."

• On fan anger after the midweek draw with Motherwell Rohl says: "You get a trophy for the best manager of the month, 24 hours later you're not good enough."

• Rohl accepts criticism of his team selection for Wednesday's 1-1 draw and admits "in the 24 hours between my press conference and the game, some things changed, I got some new information, and I have to make new decisions".

• It would be "massive" for Rangers to win on Sunday and Rohl says the result will "influence a lot" in the title race.

• But the Rangers boss knows his side have to "find solutions" to the threats Hearts pose, saying they have "big weapons" and are a threat at set-pieces.

• Youssef Chermiti has come under fire for his lack of goals this season and Rohl admits "it's tough for him" but the boss "totally believes" the striker has what it takes to turn games in his side's favour.

• On his suggestion he was content with a point against Motherwell, Rohl says he "wasn't clear enough after the game" and stresses "we want to win but in this game we were not able to get the win, you have to accept the draw".

• Rohl knows Hearts will be a tough opponent who have "found a way to win" but stresses his side have "also found a way to come back" from a difficult position in the table.

• Looking back to Rangers' 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle, Rohl admits "the story of the game was difficult" but insists "we will try and win" on Sunday.

Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise says he is keeping his head down and ignoring speculation linking him with Celtic and Rangers, but the 23-year-old admits his ambition is to play Champions League football. (Scottish Sun), external

Hansa Rostock defender Marco Schuster believes striker Ryan Naderi's record-breaking January transfer to Rangers should motivate German lower-league players. (Glasgow Times), external.

Rangers earned around £18m from their run to the Europa League quarter-finals last season. (The National), external

Rangers' elimination in the Europa League's league stage is set to have cost the Old Firm club more than £20m. (Football Insider), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Might away form prove Rangers' undoing in the title race?

Danny Rohl's men slipped up on their travels at 10-man Motherwell on Wednesday night, shipping a late equaliser - to Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh of all people.

It was a second successive away draw for Rangers, who are now five points adrift of leaders Hearts before hosting the Tynecastle side this weekend. Skipper James Tavernier was not resorting to hyperbole when referring to it as must-win for Rangers.

There's no doubt Rohl has had a transformative effect since inheriting a mess from Russell Martin in October.

The German has suffered just one defeat in his 18 league games and has revived the Ibrox club's title hopes - but they are showing frailties away from Ibrox.

At home, Rangers under Rohl have been almost flawless, spilling just two points, with eight wins and a draw. That's an average of 2.78 per game.

On the road, it's 18 points from a possible 27 (an average of 2.0 per game), with five wins, three draws and one loss.

While Rohl's Rangers have impressed at times on their travels - particularly in the derby victory at Celtic Park and overcoming Aberdeen - they were meek in defeat at Tynecastle and poor in the past two away trips, the goalless stalemate draw at Hibs and 1-1 draw at Fir Park.

Rohl came in for criticism for starting without the majority of his January signings against Motherwell, and there's plenty of room for improvement as newcomers settle in and find their feet.

But at a time when the title pressure is cracking up, any slip could be costly and vulnerabilities pounced upon.

Of Rangers' seven remaining pre-split fixtures, three are away - at bottom club Livingston, St Mirren and Falkirk. Full points must be the expectation.

Image source, SNS

Captain James Tavernier accepts the visit of Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday is must-win for Rangers as they bid to keep their title hopes alive.

Danny Rohl's side were held two a second draw in three league games as they conceded late on at 10-man Motherwell on Wednesday night to trail Hearts by five points with 12 matches left.

"Every game's a must-win, but with their lead in the table, obviously it's a must-win if you want to compete for the title," said Tavernier.

"So we have to get the three points, no matter what.

"I think if you've seen the course of the season, we've responded.

"We obviously don't want to put ourselves in these situations, and from now, with 12 games to go, we can't really be having any of these situations going forward.

"So we've got to obviously show different ways of how to win and see games out when we're not looking overly at our best.

"It's a massive game on the weekend. It's at home and we've got to really be on the front foot against another good team who've been doing well this season and get the three points.

"It's a young squad. We've had ups and downs this season and then I felt that as young as the squad is, they've really came round and grown as a group.

"These are pivotal moments in the season, where you come down to the last stretch and you're really going for the title and you're in the title race.

"So you can't afford to have slip-ups like this, but we know it's obviously a missed opportunity. We got a point and now we have to respond and get three points at home."

Image source, SNS

Danny Rohl has defended his team selection at Fir Park after Rangers conceded a late equaliser against 10-man Motherwell to drop two points in the title race.

Rohl caused a surprise by naming January signings Tuur Rommens, Ryan Naderi, Andreas Skov Olsen and Ryan Naderi, plus in-form defender Emmanuel Fernandez, on the bench.

Rommens and Skov Olsen remained unused as Rangers, who led through Nicolas Raskin's early strike, were undone by a Stephen Welsh equaliser.

"You have to pick the team before the game, not after," said the German.

"There were some things, Ryan had a little bit of problem on Tuesday after training, it was too much for him to start.

"And then with Tochi [Chukwuani] and Tuur and Skov, you have to implement them in the rhythm of the game.

"I saw both games, tonight and Sunday, I saw them together and you need the idea for both games. Let's see. It's just a draw and we are disappointed, of course. I take this."

Rangers now trail leaders Hearts - who visit Ibrox on Sunday - by five points with 12 games remaining, but Rohl is adamant the Fir Park slip-up has not ruined his team's title hopes.

"Tonight doesn't mean the title race is over," he said.

"It's a bit of a blow because we dropped two points late. But we have the next opportunity and if our reaction is right we can get the right result one Sunday."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou couldn't believe how "cynical" Rangers were in the 1-1 draw at Fir Park.

Rangers took an early lead courtesy of Nicolas Raskin's goal and looked as though they would hold on to the three points when Motherwell were reduced to 10 men for Lukas Fadinger's challenge on Mikey Moore with just over 10 minutes to play.

But a late goal from Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh rescued a point for Askou's men, which was no more than the manager felt his side deserved, especially given the tactics employed by Danny Rohl's side.

"It was an absolutely sensational performance from start to finish," Askou told Sky Sports, external.

"We dominated the game in so many ways, even with one man down we dominated and looked like a team who wanted to win the game.

"I thought our intensity and speed of play was outstanding and it caused a tonne of problems for Rangers out there. They had to [concede] one free-kick after another to stop us.

"I was surprised that they didn't get more yellow cards in the first half and I don't think it's good enough.

"It's an absolutely top game, probably the best game you can get in Scottish football right now, and you get to play that cynical?

"I think it's a shame for the game, that's the reason why there weren't more goals in the game.

"We didn't let frustration take over, we stuck in it and adjusted a few things at half-time and knew there would be chances in the second half."

While Askou acknowledged Fadinger deserved to be sent off, he didn't see a huge difference between that challenge and some on his own players.

"Lukas gets sent off and it's our first red card." Askou added.

"The intensity of the tackle was not worse than many of the other tackles we received.

"He's just a little bit unlucky that he catches him five inches off the ground."

We asked for your views after 10-man Motherwell scored a late goal to snatch a point against Rangers at Fir Park.

Here's what some of you said:

Sally: Rangers were too slow moving the ball and perform better playing at a fast pace. Free-kicks have given the team a few goals but James Tavernier consistently taking them is becoming predictable and inevitably end up in the keeper's hands. Motherwell deserved the point.

Greg: Let's face it Motherwell played some excellent football. Yes it's disappointing to lose a late equaliser, and some of our passing was woeful, but credit to 'Well. Not many teams will fancy Fir Park.

Bruce: Mikey Moore not in the game in the first half suggests we set up incorrectly. We did not introduce width into attack. Djeidi Gassama had more of the ball but failed to connect. Everything through midfield suited Motherwell, who played well and were smarter than Rangers. We are improved but if we want to win league it is matches like this that affect outcomes.

Louise: This is one of the first times I've disagreed with Danny Rohl's team selection. Youssef Chermiti shouldn't have played as long as he did after coming back from injury and after missing a sitter that could have put us ahead, he should have been subbed at half-time. It was a disappointing end to a frantic game but this was always going to be a real test for Rangers. Sunday is a must-win now if we want any chance of challenging for the title.

Ell: Some things never change. Can't score goals and a defence all at sea, a woeful performance start to finish. We were lucky not to beaten by the 10 men.

Tom: Just as we position ourselves into a strong place, Rohl morphs into Russell Martin. Why oh why did he start with that line-up? It was a crazy decision that may cost us the league. Absolutely gutted.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has defended Cameron Archer despite the forward being subbed off at half time against Leicester City in a rare start, saying the 24-year-old has had to deal with the disappointment of a transfer to Rangers falling through on deadline day. (Glasgow Times), external

Motherwell will listen to offers for 23-year-old forward Tawanda Maswanhise this summer amid interest from both Celtic and Rangers. (Football Insider), external

Rangers have outspent city rivals Celtic over the last two transfer windows, despite the latter banking £53m from transfers over the previous five years. (Daily Record), external

Rangers look set to play a summer friendly against Hansa Rostock as part of their £4.3m January purchase of striker Ryan Naderi, the German club have revealed. (The National), external

Glasgow city centre residents say they have been left disappointed that, despite meetings last year, no plans regarding potential football title party celebrations in May have been communicated to them. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch the best of the action as 10-man Motherwell come from behind to snatch a point against Rangers with a late goal from on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh. Available to UK users only