Rangers

Rangers' Europa League campaign ended in defeat by Porto who progress directly to the last 16 as a result of this comeback win.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "It was a good game to watch, both teams tried something in possession and against the ball, after 20 minutes I felt we were in a good way.

"I compare this game to the Bergen [Brann] game and I see a massive, massive step forward. It's still not good enough, we know what we have to improve in the future, especially in this competition.

"In general, I'm still proud of the development, especially in Europe. I'm now fully focused on the league. We have a mission and for this, we have all our energy now.

"I tried to manage the load for nearly every position. Today, we missed Tochi [Chukwuani] to give us the extra push. But both [Raskin and Diomande] did well, covered a lot of metres. The good thing is that Nico can go again and again.

"I want to praise Findlay [Curtis] for the last two weeks. Findlay understood my words, we were very honest about how I see him. Since then, the mindset has been excellent - brave, nice in possession."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The last few days of the transfer window could determine how the Premiership title race pans out and Rangers fans will hope their club can do a little more business to bolster their own ambitions.

Watching the game against Dundee, it struck me that for all of the improvements Danny Rohl has made, Rangers still lack a player who can unlock a packed defence with a killer pass. A creative attacking midfielder who could be the difference between winning the league and finishing second or third.

Of course, such players are hard to come by and if they have proven pedigree they aren't going to be cheap either, but if Rangers could unearth someone with the guile to play the killer passes and chip in with a few goals, their chances of silverware would be much improved.

I discussed last week the possibility that Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti might be sufficient in terms of striking options for the remainder of the season but I suspect supporters would be delighted to welcome another option up front, particularly if Danilo is departing.

Otherwise, Rangers look to have decent options throughout the squad. Maybe Rohl would like to have a designated number six, which would allow Nico Raskin to play further forward, but the Belgian is more than capable of playing that role.

Tochi Chukwuani showed up pretty well on his first start against Dundee, though Andreas Skov Olsen was quieter and will need to quickly get up to speed if he is to have the desired impact.

Neither of them can play against Porto on Thursday - a game where the priority for Rangers is to try to continue the feelgood factor of their eight-match winning run.

After that, focus will quickly shift to another massive game at the weekend away to Hibs.

A tough assignment for Rohl's side but one from which they need maximum points to keep the pressure on their title rivals.

Rangers are reluctant to sell winger Oliver Antman despite an enquiry from Feyenoord and will consider a loan option for a striker should they and Hansa Rostock fail to agree a fee for Ryan Naderi. (Joshua Barrie on X)

Sheffield United have won the race to sign 31-year-old midfielder Joe Rothwell from Rangers on a permanent deal. (Michael Bleach on X)

Rangers could allow 26-year-old striker Danilo to leave in the final stages of the January window if a replacement can be found. (Football Insider)

Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has revealed he held discussions with Rangers about their managerial vacancy when Ross Wilson was the sporting director at Ibrox. (The Scotsman)

Rejecting attractive bids for Youssef Chermiti and Djeidi Gassama shows Rangers' transfer policy has changed under their new ownership. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland in Porto

Image source, SNS

Max Aarons has praised the leadership of James Tavernier and says he is integral to Rangers' turnaround in form.

Skipper Tavernier scored his 100th league goal for Rangers as they made it eight straight wins with a 3-0 home victory over Dundee in the Premiership on Sunday.

Speaking before Danny Rohl's side take on Porto on Thursday night in their final Europa League game of the season, fellow full-back Aarons said: "Amazing, as far as leaders have gone in my career, that I've played with, he's one of the best.

"I think he sets that example through how he plays and how he brings that every day in training.

"He's been a big part in us turning round the form, we want to push each other and ultimately the important thing is that the team is doing well."

Rangers are already out of the Europa League but Aarons says it's important to carry on their winning run before a trip to Easter Road on Sunday to face Hibs.

"Coming into this game, with eight wins in a row, we want to carry on and continue that," the 26-year-old said.

"Despite the competition, if we win on Thursday, we go into Sunday with another good feeling, that's the aim.

Porto sit top of the Portuguese league with 18 wins in 19 and a victory over Rangers is likely to send them straight through to the Europa League last 16.

"I think it's a really good test for us, a team that's top of their league, they look an experienced and strong team," said Aarons.

"It's a good test to see how far we've come as well. Not so long ago at the start of this competition there was difficult moments, I think we've had good games and we're definitely confident.

"I feel like now, on the pitch, more moments are going for us as opposed to going against us. That's because we're doing everything better, whether that be set-pieces, or little details, you can feel it in the games, more of the actions are coming off for us and that's leading to more wins."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Porto

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been talking to the media as his side prepare to face hosts Porto in their final game of this season's Europa League.

Here are the key points:

• Rohl didn't want to discuss transfer dealings in any detail but stresses the desire to strengthen the squad, not weaken it, during this window. He would not confirm an interest in Hansa Rostock striker Ryan Naderi but admitted Rangers are looking for "an attacking player".

• Incoming signings do not really depend on getting players out the door. "If we can do something, we will do it," says Rohl.

• With Rangers having reportedly rejected big-money bids for Youssef Chermiti and Djeidi Gassama, Rohl believes it is positive clubs are interested in his players but says "we want to keep our best players".

• He has a number in his head regarding how many more signings he wants, saying: "The next three, four days will be a little bit crazy. Some moments you think you have a yes, then maybe not. But, all in all, I think at the end of the window we should be a good number of players."

• Utility man Dujon Sterling will train on Thursday but has not travelled, striker Danilo is out as his partner is expecting a baby, while midfielder Joe Rothwell "has small problems but should be okay" and the three new signings are ineligible.

• A clean sheet is the most important thing from Thursday's game. "We have to be well organised. We want to be a nasty opponent."

• The Ibrox boss says it is important to have rotation but "players are excited to play" in a game against a difficult opponent.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Can Rangers afford to turn down a big-money bid for struggling striker Youssef Chermiti?

The 21-year-old joined last summer during Russell Martin's tenure for a fee of around £8m from Everton but failed to hit the ground running.

And now Rangers have reportedly rejected a £13m bid from Fenerbahce for the Portuguese forward, who has scored four goals in 25 appearances this season.

What do the stats say about Chermiti's time in Glasgow so far?

Chermiti has played 16 league games and his four-goal total is level with midfielder Thelo Aasgaard and centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez and fewer than right-back James Tavernier.

But Chermiti's 196.3 minutes per goal is third best in the Rangers team behind Findlay Curtis and Danilo.

While his 25 shots is bettered by Aasgaard, Tavernier, Nicolas Raskin, Mikey Moore and Djeidi Gassama, Chermiti's 14 on target is among the highest in the squad.

He has taken 41 touches inside opposition boxes in the Premiership, three times less than Gassama and fewer than Raskin, Moore and fellow forward Bojan Miovski.

His eight chances created from open play is lower than 10 Rangers players while his 67.2% passing accuracy is among the worst in the Rangers team.

Chermiti clearly has room for development and has shown in glimpses what he is capable of, most notably his double in the 3-1 derby win at Celtic Park earlier this month.

And letting the striker go so late in the transfer window would leave Rangers with only a matter of days to bring in a replacement.

Regardless, given what he has seen from Chermiti so far this season, former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan thinks Rangers would be foolish not to accept a big-money offer for the forward.

"I wish I had his agent when I was playing at that age," Sheridan striker told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's probably quite a bizarre move if it comes about. If they were getting offered that price, I think they'd be mad not to [sell], for the chance to recoup and actually somehow make money on that deal.

"I think they'd be mad not to try and do it. Even if it was half that price you'd think 'let's just cut our losses'.

"That's football. Sometimes a reputation goes above what is actually happening. He's young, a Portuguese Under-21 international so maybe clubs look at that and see some sort of potential.

"I think if there's any truth in those rumours it'd be hard to see them turning that down."

Image source, Getty Images

• Despite creating 9.2 xG (expected goals) in the Europa League this season, Rangers have scored just four goals, with their -5.2 xG difference the biggest underperformance in the competition this term.

• Including qualifiers, Rangers have lost their past five away matches in Europe, which is already their joint-longest run of consecutive defeats on the road in Europe.

• Porto have won all of their three home matches in the Europa League this season; they last won four consecutive home matches in major European competition between October 2018 and March 2019 in the Champions League.

• Rangers have failed to win any of their previous three away matches against FC Porto in Europe (D2 L1), drawing 1-1 in the Europa League in the most recent of those games in October 2019.

• This is the seventh major European meeting between Porto and Rangers – the Portuguese side have won just one of the six previous games (D2 L3).

Fenerbahce have had a £13m bid for 21-year-old striker Youssef Chermiti rejected by Rangers. (Telegraph)

Talks over Ryan Naderi have stalled between Rangers and Hansa Rostock, with the German third-tier club unwilling to accept a £2.6m offer for the 22-year-old striker while they do not have a replacement - and believe they can sell him for more in the summer. (Florian Plettenberg on X)

Rangers have the scope to increase their offer for Naderi, who is keen on a move to Ibrox, should Rostock be willing to sell - but with a new striker their priority, the Ibrox club also have other options. (Rangers Review)

Rostock head coach Daniel Brinkmann has revealed they will not stand in Naderi's way over his proposed move to Rangers. (The National)

The offer Rangers rejected from Monaco for 22-year-old winger Djeidi Gassama was for a loan with an obligation to buy that was in excess of £10m. (Rangers Review)

Sheffield Wednesday would recoup a percentage of any profit Rangers make should the Ibrox club sell Gassama just six months after the winger made a £2.2m move from the Championship club. (The Star)

Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have scouted Rangers centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez and the 24-year-old is attracting significant attention from England after overcoming a difficult start following his summer transfer from Peterborough United. (Scottish Sun)

Former Rangers manager Philippe Clement wants to take out-of-favour Wales winger Rabbi Matondo, 25, on loan from Ibrox to Norwich City. (The72)

Three clubs are in discussions with Rangers over a deal for Joe Rothwell, 31, with the Ibrox club preferring a permanent transfer for the midfielder, whose stock remains high as a result of his performances in the Championship prior to his summer move to Scotland. (Rangers Review)

Rangers would seriously consider accepting a late offer for 26-year-old winger Nedim Bajrami before the 2 February transfer deadline. (Football Insider)

Albania playmaker Bajrami will not be forced out of Rangers and could be part of head coach Danny Rohl's plans for at least the rest of the season. (Daily Record)

Hacken have rejected a £3.2m bid from an unnamed club for 21-year-old Danish midfielder Silas Andersen, who has been linked a number of clubs including Celtic and Rangers. (Fotbolldirekt)

Rangers' board has admitted mistakes with recruitment led to the wrong profile of player being targeted in the summer in some instances. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

On a day that was about the debut of Andreas Skov Olsen, it was the captain who sent Rangers on their way to a nervy three points against Dundee.

Given what was unfolding at Tynecastle, it was important Rangers picked up the win. And while it never felt like a 3-0 game, you take that all day long.

First half was very stuffy and I felt Rangers were a bit safe in the final third, but we started the second with a purpose, and kudos to James Tavernier.

He stepped up and the tension within the stadium evaporated - grabbing his 100th league goal is remarkable. People forget this guy is a right-back.

By the time Danilo and Gassama scored the second and third, the stadium was a tad happy.

While there were nervy vibes at 1-0, Dundee never had a shot on target in the second half. And I have to give Jayden Meghoma a mention as Cam Congreve has proven to be a good player this season, and the Brentford loanee snuffed him out.

Right now is about winning, performances can wait. Heading into Thursday against Porto, I'd be playing guys who need the game time: Oliver Antman, Findlay Curtis, Bojan Miovski and others.

Most of the starters should be kept for Sunday as that's clearly more important.

On the topic of a title race, my thoughts are the same: win the next game and don't get distracted until the last five. Getting too high about things and losing focus can cause all sorts of issues.

That's eight wins in a row in all competitions for Danny Rohl, winning the next two games look unlikely, but Sunday at Easter Road is the one.

Let's see how that goes, then hopefully we will have a strong end to the window.

Of course, there is a feelgood factor about Rangers just now, and it's important to see the progress under Rohl, but this team can throw in a clanger of a result and that has to be avoided against Hibernian.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers have bid 3m euros for striker Ryan Naderi, who plays for German third-division side Hansa Rostock. (Florian Plettenberg on X), external

The Ibrox club are in talks to sign Naderi, 22. (STV), external

Rangers have received a £2m offer from Pafos for forward Danilo, 26. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Dutch club NEC see Danilo as a potential replacement for Kento Shiogai, who recently joined Wolfsburg. (Gelderlander - in Dutch), external

Monaco are interested in a loan with obligation to buy deal for Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama, 22. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Rangers have rejected Monaco's offer for Gassama. (Record), external

Former Rangers head coach and Scotland defender Russell Martin is among the candidates to take over as Leicester City manager following the sacking of Marti Cifuentes. (Football Insider), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

James Tavernier notched up his 100th league goal for Rangers in their 3-0 win against Dundee which is absolutely phenomenal for a right-back.

The fact he is Rangers' top scorer in the Premiership this season is as impressive as it is telling in terms of the contribution of the strikers at the club this season.

Image source, SNS

Rangers captain James Tavernier says they cannot rest on their laurels in their hunt for the Scottish Premiership title.

Tavernier scored his 100th league goal for the club in Sunday's 3-0 win over Dundee, a result which took the Ibrox outfit to within four points of league leaders Hearts, who drew 2-2 with Celtic.

Rangers were 13 points adrift when Danny Rohl took over as head coach from Russell Martin in October, but have won their past eight matches under the German to bring themselves firmly into contention.

Tavernier says they will not let up in their hunt of silverware.

"It was obviously early days in the league and it's a long season," he said.

"You've always got to back yourselves no matter what, doing that by winning games.

"I said earlier in the season that we have to have that consistency and I believe we've started that and really shown our potential and it just has to continue.

"We've been in this position before in January where we've been ahead and then let it slip, so we can't afford that.

"It's my responsibility and the senior lads to keep everyone on their toes and really focus on what we need to do.

"You can tell that the confidence is growing.

"The start of the season was obviously not what we expected, but it's a credit to everyone who's been involved in the turnaround, the mentality of everyone to really knuckle down and look in the mirror and focus on ourselves and get the wins we need.

"Sometimes it's not been pretty and to win games and be in contention for titles you always have to find a way to win. I think we are doing that well.

"We obviously want the games to look more comfortable, but we're finding ways to win and the best thing is that we're keeping clean sheets as well. We just need to continue this hard work.

"If we keep doing what we've been showing, there's every chance of [winning the league], but it has to be consistent, we have to keep doing it week in, week out.

"We have the Porto game [on Thursday] and then it's obviously a tough game against Hibs, so we have got to get three points there."

Watch Sportscene pundits Andy Halliday and Scott Allan discuss James Tavernier's penalty for Rangers in Sunday's 3-0 win over Dundee, marking his 100th goal for Rangers.

Image source, SNS

Scott Allan believes head coach Danny Rohl has given Rangers better "foundations" since his October appointment.

However, the former Dundee, Hibernian and Celtic player feels the Ibrox side need an upgraded striker to clinch the title in May.

Rangers made it eight wins in a row in all competitions with a 3-0 victory at home to Dundee on Sunday, a sixth straight Scottish Premiership triumph.

The win moves Rohl's men up to second in the league, four points below Hearts and two points above Celtic.

"Rangers, I expected to beat Dundee," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The momentum they're building, the players coming in who I think will make a difference to the starting XI, and I think there'll be more on the way.

"The clean sheets Rangers are getting is a big plus in their favour for me because I think foundations are looking a lot better, especially from what we've seen earlier on in season, how vulnerable they were under Russell Martin.

"That's a good starting point this January for Rangers. What's the quality like coming in on top of that? I still think they need a better striker to really go and win the league."

Captain James Tavernier's penalty in Rangers' 3-0 win over Dundee on Sunday was his 100th league goal for the Ibrox club.

Watch as BBC Scotland takes a look back to see how the right-back has reached that milestone for the Govan side.

We asked for your views on Rangers' 3-0 win at home to Dundee, which narrowed the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Sally: Another striker badly needed. A chance of winning the league may well depend on one being sourced. Danny Rohl has to be applauded for dragging this team to where they are in the league table. Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga are forming a good partnership and with time could be the go-to partnership. Playing the ball faster suits this team but passes need to be sharpened.

Robert: Worst game for a while but still won, it's a good sign. A prolific striker and we win this league, it's that simple. Can see the team are bonding and fighting as a group now. Manager has worked a miracle with the squad.

Calum: Feels like this is such a big result. A hard few weeks ahead for us though, Hibs away, Hearts at home. Motherwell away and Celtic at home too, and that's without mentioning one or two other fixtures. Come out of this next month and a bit with near enough maximum points, and it definitely looks very good for Rangers. But time will tell, as it so often has for us.

Steven: This team still has a lot of convincing to do. While the three points are welcome and necessary, there is no real flow to our game and a real lack of a clinical edge. We're dominating the ball and doing little or nothing with it at times. Today's scoreline flattered the performance. Early days for the new recruits, but judgement will come pretty quickly for them if they don't improve the team's performance level.

Dee: With Russell Martin in charge, I had totally written off Rohl's first season as a bedding-in period. We are still miles off what I expect from a Rangers team, but we are getting results and moving forward. Hearts are playing great football, and Celtic after Martin O'Neill's reintroduction will fight for everything. But could we actually pull off the the biggest turnaround in SPFL history? It's in our hands.

Watch highlights as James Tavernier's 100th league goal for Rangers helps Danny Rohl's side narrow the gap at the top with a Scottish Premiership win over Dundee.

MATCH REPORT: Rangers 3-0 Dundee

Borna Barisic says he should have left Rangers following their 2022 Europa League defeat but stayed on because of his love for the club. (Herald - subscription required), external

An issue with VAR caused the kick-off of Rangers' Sunday win over Dundee to be delayed by six minutes.

Monday's Scottish gossip