Rangers

Swansea City centre-back Harry Darling, the 25-year-old who is out of contract this summer, could be Russell Martin's first g for Rangers should the former Southampton boss be named head coach and fellow former Ibrox defender Maurice Ross would be his assistant. (Record), external

As he continues to be linked with the Rangers head coach vacancy, Davide Ancelotti has confirmed his exit from Real Madrid, saying on his new Instagram page that he is about to "start a new phase for me" as he prepares for his final match as assistant against Real Sociedad on Saturday. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Nicolas Raskin began the season on the fringes of the Rangers team. He ended it as their main man.

The Belgium midfielder was a rare shining light in a dismal trophyless season at Ibrox, his impact recognised with the club's player and players' player of the year awards.

After starting just two of Rangers' opening seven games of the campaign, Raskin, 24, quickly made himself indispensable.

Having not scored at all until the end of January, he netted five times in the second half of the season, including three in his final five appearances.

And Raskin's 10 assists in 29 league appearances was the t highest in the Premiership along with Celtic pair Daizen Maeda and Alistair Johnston.

Raskin's blend of guile and steel makes him vital. He ranks fourth for possession won (187) in the Premiership season and is in the top 10 for duels won (217) as well as chances created from open play (42).

As Rangers lurched towards summer under interim boss Barry Ferguson following the sacking of Philippe Clement, Raskin stood strong as others wilted. He was an Old Firm standout in the 3-2 derby win at Celtic Park - scoring the opener - and 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

His form will no doubt attract suitors this summer, but Raskin, who is under contract for a further two years, has insisted he is no rush to leave Ibrox.

While there may be a temptation to cash in on their prize asset, the incoming new Rangers owners should surely be looking to build a team around Raskin and secure him on a new deal.

Image source, SNS

Steven Gerrard indicates he's in Bahrain, not Scotland, as he continues to be linked with a return to the Rangers manager's job. (Sun), external

Reports in Albania suggest Rangers midfielder Nedim Bajrami, 26, could move on but left-back Jefte, 21, is reportedly happy at Ibrox. (Record), external

Bajrami's departure is likely and he has two tabled offers. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

We asked whether you would you like to see Steven Gerrard reappointed as Rangers manager.

Here's what some of you said:

William: No way should Gerrard be next Rangers manager, he's just not up to the task.

Tom: It doesn't really matter who the manager is, it's all about the players that are brought in and whether they can beat the low block that they will face week in week out. Gerrard wouldn't be my first choice but I would take him before an untried manager like Davide Ancelotti.

Alain: Don't want Gerrard back, he had his chance and walked away. I'd bring Giovanni van Bronckhorst back who was very harshly treated and never got the time he deserved after Seville and winning the Scottish Cup. If Gerrard comes back he'll no doubt leave us again when a top English Championship club comes calling.

David: The club should get someone who has never been with Rangers.

Nigel: Definitely. No doubt people will look at trophy stats and be concerned but that doesn't tell the whole story. Build a club from dross to Europa League finalists, created a team of invincibles, and won by far the most important of the nine trophies available. With such a short turnaround, we need someone to hit the ground running. In Gerrard we have that. Let's go!

Ruaridh: The potential return of Gerrard sounds like a fairly safe step in the right direction. He understands the club and fans alike. That said, the club already have a very capable pair of assistants available in the shape of Billy Dodds and Neil McCann. I'd be looking to reinstate that pair ahead of any other potentially less experienced coaches.

Fraser: No, Gerrard should not return. Who's to say he won't leave us in the lurch again and his record since he left is dismal. Not sure what the answer is but we need a manager who has proved themselves as we need to turn things around quickly and put up a credible challenge to our competitors.

Ross: Don't think Gerrard is the answer, but when we look at options available not sure we would get anybody better. Team needs built from back to front. Can't defend, especially set-pieces, and can't break teams down. So an experienced coaching team is required. Don't believe Steven Davis and Jordan Henderson fit the role.

Josh Windass urges Rangers captain James Tavernier to move on from Ibrox and find a club where he is "respected". (Glasgow Times), external

Danny Murphy believes former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard can help Rangers bridge the gap to Celtic, should he return to Ibrox as manager. (Sun), external

Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali launches a bid to sign free agent Ianis Hagi, 26, following the midfielder's departure from Rangers. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, SNS

With rumours swirling over an imminent return to Rangers for their title-winning manager Steven Gerrard, the fanbase appears split over the wisdom of such a reappointment.

His mid-season departure for the Premier League, much like Brendan Rodgers before him, left a bitter taste in some fans' mouths, making the prospect of his return difficult for them to swallow, not least because his record since leaving Rangers is unimpressive.

But others point to the manner in which he overhauled an average squad to create an invincible, record-breaking team to stop Celtic's seemingly inevitable capture of ten in a row as well as restoring Rangers' credibility in Europe.

His profile is also one that commands respect and may appeal to the prospective new American owners of the club.

But where Gerrard previously had the wisdom of Gary McAllister and the innovative coaching ability of Michael Beale to aid him, the talk is of a backroom team involving the much-loved but inexperienced Steven Davis and highly talented but even less experienced coaching-wise Jordan Henderson.

If the speculation is accurate, there is less tactical acumen there than in the duo just released by the club of Billy Dodds and Neil McCann.

The names of Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin are still being circulated but it is Gerrard who is attracting all the headlines right now.

One way or another, it appears Rangers ers will soon know the identity of their new manager.

Rangers fans, would you like to see Gerrard reappointed?

Tell us here

Image source, Presseye

David Healy, a former team-mate of Steven Davis with both Rangers and Northern Ireland, has said the former midfielder would be "an asset" if he were to become part of the backroom staff at the Scottish Premiership giants.

Davis has been linked with a coaching role at Rangers should Steven Gerrard return for a second spell as boss.

Gerrard is understood to be one of the leading contenders to take charge after Barry Ferguson's interim term in charge came to an end.

Davis was put in temporary control of first-team affairs following the departure of former manager Michael Beale in October 2023.

The 40-year-old was caretaker boss for two games, a Europa League defeat by Aris Limassol and a league win over St Mirren, before Philippe Clement was appointed to the position on a permanent basis.

As a player, Davis made a total of 239 appearances for Rangers during two spells with the club.

"Steve has had the privilege and the honour of being in [at Rangers as a coach] for a little bit and I don't think it fazed him," said Northern Ireland's record men's international goalscorer Healy.

"I don't think anything ever fazed Steve as a player or as a person. He's pretty relaxed, he's pretty comfortable in his own tone and what he wants to say.

"If Rangers feel, when the new manager comes in, whoever he's going to be, feels there's an opportunity for Steve to go in. I think Steve would be an asset to have at Rangers, no matter who the manager is."

Davis is currently part of Michael O'Neill's backroom set-up with Northern Ireland, for whom he won a record 140 caps.

"I know he's going through the process at the minute where he's going to do his coaching badges," said O'Neill.

"He's going through the process of learning and, for me, there is no better role model or apprenticeship than to be working with or in and around Michael O'Neill, who is an incredibly talented coach."

Relegated Leicester City are in advanced talks to appoint former Southampton head coach and ex-Rangers and Scotland defender Russell Martin as their new manager after deciding to sack Ruud van Nistelrooy. (Football Insider), external

Steven Gerrard is set to hold talks with Rangers over the next 48 hours with a view to returning to Ibrox as the club's next manager and the 44-year-old Englishman will not face any tax complications, previously thought to be a possible stumbling block, following his exit from Saudi Arabia in January. (Daily Mail), external

Steven Gerrard has asked Rangers for more time to talk over his return to Glasgow as manager with his wife, Alex, who had hoped they could move from Bahrain to Dubai, but is thought likely to bring former Ibrox midfielder Steven Davis and ex-Anfield team-mate Jordan Henderson with him should he take the job. (Daily Record), external

Betting has been suspended on Steven Gerrard being named the new Rangers head coach, with former Liverpool team-mate Djibril Cisse saying the Englishman is unable to attend his anniversary match next week "for professional reasons". (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Following the confirmation that Barry Ferguson is leaving Rangers, we asked for your views on his brief tenure.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Ferguson was put in a difficult position and did well with what he had to play with. Unfortunately we all know this squad just isn't good enough. Although he's leaving the manager's role, I hope they make some space for him in a coaching capacity as he has a lot to offer and is a potential Gers manager in the making.

Allan: Lots of people are saying Ferguson did well with the tools he had, which I agree with, but so did Philippe Clement. They had the same set of players and got the same inconsistent play and results. The team is good at counter-attacking but not good at trying to break down a low block. That is the conundrum for the new manager, to be able to do both.

Murray: Ferguson plugged the holes in a sinking ship, but that's all. His press conferences were both refreshing and alarming when he kept saying "my team" and seemed to be a "me" instead of "we". He also refused to give fringe players a try and was more interested in looking good himself with mediocre wins than trying out players for next season. I'm glad he didn't get the job full-time.

Neil: I thought Barry, Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor did a decent job given the tools he had to work with. These players in a number of cases have been responsible for a number of managers losing their jobs. The highlights were Fenerbahce away and the penalties at Ibrox and the win at Parkhead. I felt Barry and the boys answered the call from Rangers in difficult circumstances and showed what the club means to each of them.

Alan: Not manager material at such a big club but room for improvement, could be a good assistant.

Bobby: The right decision in the end. Ferguson's chances of getting the job permanently were already slim. He didn't get a reaction out of the players who served up the same dross under Clement. His time as manager will be forgotten about quickly.

Ronnie: I feel for Barry. He wanted the job so badly and was let down so many times by a group of players who have been inconsistent all season. Barry didn't fail, the players did. He showed enough in his gameplan and team selections, plus the ability to change things during a game, to convince me at least he could have done the job permanently. However, the decision has been made and I will get behind the new manager. I personally would have Stevie Gerrard or Gio van Bronckhorst back.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

If ever a 90 minutes summed up our season, the 2-2 draw with Hibs was it.

Start well, referee Nick Walsh does Nick Walsh things. Then we go ahead again, switch off, concede, and miss a few good chances.

I'm glad the season is over and glad to see the club backing John Brown, external as well over his strong criticism on Rangers TV of refereeing standards. It's about time the club stood up for itself.

Barry Ferguson is leaving and so too is Leon Balogun. Hopefully it's the start of a sweeping change at the club.

This season will be consigned to the bin very quickly. We will learn nothing analysing it or going over the wrongdoings of managers and board along the way.

Let's just be thankful it's over and hopefully we have more positive times just around the corner.

There is a lot of work to be done for whoever the new manager will be. There should be a massive turnover of staff but the one thing I am hoping for as a fan is a transfer strategy that builds a spine of the team that can handle the pressure and intensity of being a Rangers player.

Let's see what the summer brings.

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been identified as the Ibrox club's preferred candidate following the decision not to retain interim head coach Barry Ferguson, with Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and former Southampton boss Russell Martin having also been on the shortlist. (Daily Mail), external

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and former Ibrox defender Russell Martin have emerged as the leading contenders to be the club's next team boss and a decision could be made by the end of this week following final talks. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin is a serious contender to be Rangers head coach, but Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti has also held discussions with the Scottish Premiership club and former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard remains under consideration. (TeamTalk), external

Danny Rohl's multi-million-pound release clause with Sheffield Wednesday is likely to prohibit a Rangers move for the highly-rated coach. (Football Insider), external

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti are just two names that have been sounded out over taking charge at Ibrox, while former Southampton manager Russell Martin, ex-Luton Town boss Rob Edwards are also under consideriation and Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl could also make the final shortlist, with no front runner at this stage. (Sky Sports), external

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Steven Gerrard returning to Rangers as manager and he has emerged as favourite with the Ibrox club waiting on a response from Real Madrid Davide Ancelotti, who is considering his options amid interest from a number of clubs this summer. (Glasgow Times), external

Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti is leaving the Spanish club with father Carlo, who is taking charge of the Brazil national team, but is expected to move on after the two World Cup qualifiers with Ecuador and Paraguay in June to begin his career as a head coach. (The Athletic), external

The Scottish FA compliance officer is set to review comments made by former defender John Brown on Rangers TV querying the integrity of officials during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hibernian. (The Herald), external

Rangers have branded the possibility of disciplinary action after John Brown's "corrupt" outburst on Rangers TV as "excessive, surprising and inconsistent". (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers fans, following the confirmation Barry Ferguson will leave his role as interim head coach, we want your views on his time in charge.

The former captain had mixed results during in his short stint, but there were certainly some positive memories in there.

What stands out to you from his tenure? And how will his brief reign be ed?

Send us your thoughts

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Rangers ended the season with a four-goal thriller against Hibernian at Easter Road and three of Barry Ferguson's men have made my team of the week.

James Tavernier: An assured performance. Provided the assist for the Raskin goal.

Nicolas Raskin: A goal, an assist and provided more chances than any other Rangers player. Also had an effort controversially ruled out. Has become a hugely important player.

Cyriel Dessers: Finishes the season as Premiership top scorer with 18 - two ahead of Daizen Maeda and Simon Murray both on 16. Must be hugely satisfying for Dessers given all the debate that surrounds him. Another goal to open the scoring against Hibs.

Watch the Sportscene discuss the decision to disallow Rangers a second goal in the first half of their 2-2 draw at Hibernian.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

After helping Dundee secure their Premiership status for another season, midfielder Lyall Cameron is backing himself to "make an impression" at Rangers next term.

The 22-year-old scored twice as the Dens Park side defeated St Johnstone 2-0 at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.

The result ensured Dundee finished 10th in the top flight, avoiding an end-of-season relegation play-off with Livingston, and now Cameron can now turn his attention to the next chapter in his career at Ibrox.

"I haven't really had much time to think about it, obviously there has been so much going on and I was just wanting to make sure my full attention was on Dundee," he said.

"But now that it's done it will probably start to kick in more and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I know it's going to be hard and I don't expect to walk into the team every week. I was criticised for my decision, people think I might not play every week, but that's the way football is.

"You back yourself and I'm confident in my ability that I can go and try and make an impression and do as well as I can for Rangers.

"That is my goal and when I get there I will just take it as it comes and hopefully it all goes well."

Former Ibrox hero Paul Gascoigne thinks Rangers could be the perfect fit for Jamie Vardy as the 38-year-old striker prepares to leave Leicester City. (CasinoBeats via Daily Record, external)

Ally McCoist, who tried to bring Jamie Vardy to Ibrox in 2012, says: "I would take him in two minutes at Rangers, I really would" but reckons the veteran striker already has a move lined up. (talkSPORT via Ibrox News, external)

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin reckons Scottish Premiership clubs need to start investing properly in VAR technology if they want the league to be taken seriously as a top-level competition. (Daily Mail), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Watch all the action from Hibernian's 2-2 draw with Rangers in their final Scottish Premiership game.

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Nicolas Raskin says he'll remain at Rangers "as long as the club wants me" amid reported interest from clubs in England.

Rangers are reportedly keen to tie down the Belgian, whose contract expires in 2027, to a new deal.

Raskin, who was named Rangers' player of the year, scored and had a goal disallowed in Rangers' 2-2 draw in the final game of the season on Saturday.

"I've been enjoying myself this season and it's not so often that you can enjoy yourself in a club, so I'm really happy here," he said.

"I've got two more seasons in my contract, so as long as the club wants me, I'll be here and then we'll see what happens."

Having been led by interim manager Barry Ferguson for the latter stage of the Premiership campaign, the Ibrox club are expected to appoint someone new this summer.

"It's going to be a big change in the summer, so who knows what's going to happen," Raskin added.

"I don't know. We need to be successful next season. We're coming back on the 23 of June, so it's not that far away. We need to plan the pre-season and all this."

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

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Obviously it's been a hard season we certainly need the investment coming from the 49ers but we are not a million miles away. Hopefully we make the right appointment for a manager, exciting times ahead! Barry Ferguson should be proud of his stint as manager, done with pride and honour and certainly showed what a true Ranger he is.

John: Nicolas Raskin is class, better than Arne Engels at £11million. We should ask for £15m at least. Barry Ferguson, thanks for your effort, time for a more experienced man.

Torquil: Raskin's effort was not a goal. The pictures show that the ball did not entirely cross the goal line or the goal post. The linesman was correctly positioned on the byline, and could see this.

Jimmy: The ball was over the line, everyone except the referee and VAR saw this, why did VAR not stop the game before they went up the field and equalised?

Robert: Glad this arduous season is over with. I hope the takeover happens soon and we appoint a new manager soon to take us forward and challenge in all competitions next season. On the goal that wasn't given I can't understand the excuse given by the SFA, the ball clearly rebounds backwards after coming off the inside of the post and quite clearly is over the line.

Joseph: The goal that supposedly didn't cross the line is probably the worst decision I have ever seen in Scottish football since I started watching it 45 years ago. Everybody in the stadium could see it was a goal apart from the referee and the VAR official. Just as well this game didn't determine anything important.