Rangers

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Defender Emmanuel Fernandez aims to continue the current feelgood factor at Rangers with the first win of a miserable Europa League campaign.

The Ibrox side have just one point from their six league-phase outings before the visit of Bulgarians Ludogorets on Thursday night.

However, Danny Rohl's men head into the game in fine form having reeled off six successive domestic wins to revive their Premiership title hopes and reach the Scottish Cup fifth round.

Fernandez, signed from Peterborough in the summer, said: "Obviously Europe hasn't gone our way this season but we still need to have a winning mentality as a group.

"Every game we play, we have to give the fans something to be proud of ahead of the next one.

"It's just about winning every single game and seeing where that gets us.

"Personally, I'm really happy. I wasn't playing at the beginning of the season but now I am and we're getting results.

"As a team, I can feel the energy around us. Everyone's smiling, everyone's happy every day.

"But there's still a lot more to come and we can push even more."

Fernandez has praised set-piece coach Scott Fry for making Rangers sharper in both boxes.

Four of Fernandez's five goals this season have come following the appoint of Fry in mid-November.

"I feel like Scott has had a big impact, not just on me but on the team as well," the 24-year-old said.

"We've scored a lot of goals from set-pieces and he's helped defensively too as we're not conceding too many.

"I'm a player who can get in the box and when there's an opportunity to go, I attack it.

"We do set-pieces as a group. Scott understands what I'm good at and what I want to do. He leaves me isolated in scenarios where I only have one player against me - and I can attack.

"I don't really set goal targets, I'm just trying to help the team win games. If that happens (double figures), it happens. I probably feel like I could do that."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Ludogorets in the Europa League at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Here are the main points:

• John Souttar will miss the Ludogorets and Dundee games because of an unspecified short-term injury. Rohl expects him back in the fold from Monday.

• All three new signings are ineligible for Thursday night but Andreas Skov Olsen is likely to feature against Dundee on Sunday.

• Rohl wants to "keep the momentum going" at Ibrox after six victories in a row but knows it will be a "hard challenge" against Ludogorets: "A win is a win, it doesn't matter which competition."

• He adds it's a chance "to show where they are" despite the first six games in the competition being disappointing and yielding just one point.

• Rangers are currently fourth bottom of the Europa League table and need to win their remaining two games to have any chance of qualifying, so Rohl stresses "it's important we start to get more points on the table," adding "We will go with a strong group" but admits "we have to be successful in the league".

• On the transfer window, Rohl admits "it's a big part that we have new players in but also some players that need game-time" and suggests "in the next 7-10 days there will be movements in and out".

• Asked if there could be a 'statement' signing to come which shows intent for the title bid, Rohl admits "maybe there is someone, an exciting signing we can bring in" but added he will not say too much on that in case there's disappointment if it doesn't happen. He says there are "a lot of ifs, buts & maybes".

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• Rangers are winless in nine Europa League matches (D2 L7) since a 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce last March. In major European competition, the Ibrox side last went 10 without a win between April 2008 and September 2010.

• Rangers last faced a Bulgarian side in major European competition in the 1993 Champions League qualifiers, losing on away goals to Levski Sofia.

• This is Ludogorets' first European encounter with a Scottish team - their six games against British sides in major competition have all been against English opposition (D1 L5), conceding at least twice in all six.

• Games involving Ludogorets have featured the most goals scored in this season's Europa League (25 – 11 scored, 14 conceded), including 11 in the last two games alone.

• Ludogorets' Petar Stanic is the leading scorer in this season's Europa League with six goals – the last Serb to score more in a major European campaign was Luka Jovic in 2018-19 (10). Stanic has also created the joint most chances in the competition in 2025-26 (17).

Winger Findlay Curtis, 19, is expected to join Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers. (Herald - subscription required), external

Rangers will explore a permanent deal for loan winger Andreas Skov Olsen, 26, who has joined from Wolfsburg. (Football Insider), external

Besiktas have been unable to convince Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin, 24, to move to Turkey. (Fotospor - in Turkish), external

A second-half floodlights issue caused a delay to Stranraer's Scottish Cup meeting with Queen's Park at Stair Park before the hosts eventually won on penalties to set up a fifth-round meeting with Rangers. (Sun), external

Rangers were keen on a loan-to-buy option for Tomas Cvancara, who is set to join Celtic. (Andreo Oechsner on X), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers will host Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last-16 after the League 2 part-timers beat Queen's Park in a penalty shoot-out after extra time.

It means there will be no repeat of last season, when the Championship side won 1-0 in a Glasgow derby at Ibrox to advance to the quarter-finals days before Rangers sacked Philippe Clement as manager.

Midfielder Aidan Connolly fired Queen's Park ahead after only 11 minutes at Stair Park, where a lights failure caused a stoppage in play.

However, on-loan Hearts midfielder Dom Plank smashed in the equaliser on the hour mark and neither side could add to the scoring to prevent penalties.

It ended a five-game run without a victory for Chris Aitken's Stranraer, who sit fourth in the fourth tier.

Stranraer will visit the Scottish Premiership club for the first time since they met in the fourth round in 2020, with the hosts prevailing thanks to goals from Scott Arfield and Jermain Defoe.

Rangers have yet to lose to Stranraer in eight meetings, winning seven of them, the one draw coming at Ibrox when the sides were in League 1 in December 2013.

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Steven Smith will remain on the Rangers coaching staff for the rest of the season after impressing Danny Rohl.

The former Ibrox defender, 40, stepped up from his academy coaching role to take interim charge for one match - the 2-2 draw with Dundee United - following Russell Martin's sacking.

Smith has since been part of Rohl's backroom team following the German's appointment as head coach in October.

"I am delighted to confirm Steven as part of my coaching team," said Rohl.

"He has impressed me with his ability on and off the training pitch, the way he works with the players and staff, as well as his experience.

"I said it was important to have someone who knows the club and Steven has that. He has played here and brings that knowledge of this unique club to our coaching team."

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Rangers must thrive on increasing expectation as they enter the second half of the campaign in title contention, says former midfielder Steven Davis.

Head coach Danny Rohl has dragged his side into a three-way fight for the Premiership crown, going into the weekend six points behind leaders Hearts.

With the Jambos welcoming Celtic to Tynecastle on Sunday, Rangers could be presented with the chance to close the gap at the top further when they host Dundee.

Davis, who won 10 major honours during two spells at Ibrox, says Rohl and his squad must view the growing pressure as a "privilege".

"It's not going to be plain sailing between now and the end of the season, but they've got a fantastic opportunity to get silverware and ultimately, it's on the players," said the former Northern Ireland international.

"I do believe that the squad's starting to look stronger. There's more confidence coming into the team.

"At Rangers, expectation should be there on a weekly basis. In all honesty, it's a different level that a lot of players will have faced before in their career, but it should be seen as a privilege.

"I enjoyed that pressure. It wasn't always easy but you have to thrive on it and see it as a privilege rather than as a negative thing, because it's a huge club. It's got a tradition and history of winning trophies.

"You come to the club wanting to put your own stamp on it and be part of the club's history and ultimately to do that you have to win trophies."

Davis, who had two games in interim charge of Rangers before Philippe Clement was appointed, had been tipped as a contender to join Rohl's backroom team.

"Obviously the coaching staff seems quite settled now," Davis said. "I've seen the rumours and it's obviously something that further down the line, potentially, I would always be open to, because obviously it's a club that's very close to my heart.

"I'm in the process of doing my badges and working with the Northern Ireland national team as well, so I'm really enjoying that. But I didn't hear anything this time, so who knows in the future?"

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Rangers' brisk business in the January transfer window is encouraging.

The club formally announced new loan signing Andreas Skov Olsen before the Scottish Cup tie on Friday night and hopefully the former £12m man will add quality to the attacking areas and hit the ground running with goals and assists.

If he has a similar impact to our previous Wolfsburg loanee - Vaclav Cerny - we'll have won a watch.

Rangers have now brought in three players this month but I'm hopeful we can still add another couple. Ideally, a number nine and a centre-back.

If we can get those two deals sorted, I'd be very happy with how the window panned out for us.

On the pitch, it's now six wins on the bounce after beating Annan 5-0 in a stress-free weekend to safely progress to a Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at home to Queen's Park or Stranraer.

By Sunday at 5pm, I'm hoping it will be eight wins on the spin as we play Ludogorets in the Europa League on Thursday followed by Dundee at Ibrox in the league.

Even though we will not qualify for the Europa League knockout stage, it's important we register a victory to keep the momentum going.

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Rangers are keen on Motherwell winger Tawanda Maswanhise and have initiated preliminary discussions by sounding out the 24-year-old Zimbabwe international's agent. (TeamTalk), external

Manager Branislav Fodrek admits Dunaksta Streda will be powerless to stop Rangers transfer target Damir Redzic, 22, from leaving the club for the right fee, while RB Salszburg and FC Copenhagen are also keen on the Hungary winger. (Sport.SK via Daily Record, external)

Former Rangers academy player Cameron Scott has joined the under-21 squad at Burnley. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Rangers are to make upgrades to Ibrox Stadium in partnership with supporters' group Club 1872. (Sun), external

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Danny Rohl has re-energised Ibrox by instilling a winning mentality while "carrying himself like a Rangers manager should", says former midfielder Charlie Adam.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss took over the Govan club during a period of turmoil following Russell Martin's calamitous tenure.

With 11 wins in 14 league games, the German coach has dragged the Ibrox side back into contention for the Scottish Premiership title.

Former Rangers player Adam says Rohl has not won matches by playing the best football, but by adjusting and understanding the predicament the club were in when he arrived.

"Danny's done a brilliant job," said Adam. "He's understood where Rangers are [and] he's carried himself like a Rangers manager should.

"I think you have to be a certain type to be the Rangers manager - how you carry yourself, how you speak to the media. I think he's done that really well.

"Has he played the best football? Probably not, but he's got results. That's key and that's the important bit. He's done that quickly.

"Now there's a lot of good feeling around the club and the supporters and the owners are trying to do the right things."

With leaders Hearts welcoming Celtic to Tynecastle on Saturday, Rangers could be presented with the chance to further close the gap at the summit when they host Dundee.

Adam, who was a Rangers player between 2003 and 2009, added: "Inside the club and inside that dressing room, they'll know that there's an opportunity to really kick on for the end of the season.

"A couple of signings from now to the end of the January window will help them, and as long as you come out of the window better than you started, it will give you an opportunity for the last part of the season."

Damir Redzic says Dunajska Streda have told him several clubs are interested in him and it is believed RB Salzburg are leading the race to sign the 22-year-old Hungary forward who is also being monitored by Rangers and Copenhagen. (Nemzetisport), external

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has no plans to sell Oliver Antman in the January transfer window despite suggestions the 24-year-old winger could be forced out at Ibrox just six months after arriving from Go Ahead Eagles. (Football Insider), external

Rangers made an enquiry to Sheffield Wednesday about Max Lowe's availability early this month, but a deal for the 28-year-old defender is unlikely as things stand. (The Star), external

Asked about interest from Hibernian in 20-year-old striker Bailey Cadamarteri and Rangers for defender Max Lowe, Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen said he has only been told of one offer for one of his players. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Former Rangers youth forward Robbie Ure has caught the attention of RB Salzburg and Polissya Zhytomyr, with the Ukrainian club having already launched a bid for the 21-year-old, after an impressive debut season with Swedish club Sirius. (The Scotsman), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Rangers' surprised Ibrox before Friday's Scottish Cup tie against Annan by bringing Andreas Skov Olsen onto the pitch and announcing the loan signing of the Denmark international.

We asked for your thoughts on both that arrival and the match itself, which Rangers won 5-0.

Here's what you had to say:

ON THE GAME

Graeme: Some positives with Bojan Miovski getting his first career hat-trick, Thelo Aasgaard scoring a world class free-kick and Kieran Dowell playing some decent stuff. But, considering the opponents, certain players have proved they simply are not good enough for this club. Be it lack of ability, fight or passion to wear the shirt, some have finally proved to me they need to be shown the door. Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga and Danilo are three examples that needed to show something/anything against lower-level opposition to convince the fans but continued with their poor performances. Dead weight needs to be shifted now.

Andrew: Rangers rotated, Rangers dominated. They got everything they could have wanted from the game - Miovski building confidence with his first senior hat-trick, Aasgaard with a world class free-kick, great contributions from youngsters Zebedee Lawson, Findlay Curtis and Clinton Nsiala, and a last chance to snuff out who is maybe not good enough to wear the shirt. Three new signings announced to top it all off, one of which being Skov Olsen. Literally the perfect result for the Bears last night.

Peter: Big surprise about how many were dropped. Some, for obvious reasons, didn't really want to be there. Keeping the winning mentality going is good, Miovski getting hat-trick boosts his mindset. I've been admiring Rohl and his style of play but I think he needs to give Curtis a bit more game time like Connor Barron. Young, keen, bags of energy and can develop into something special.

ON SKOV OLSEN

Graham: Rangers still trying to buy success through foreign signings when they have missed out on the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Lewis Ferguson, plus lots of other Scots over the years. Good luck but the same outcome beckons.

Jim: I believe Rangers have had a really good transfer window, however I would like to see them sign an experienced central defender and a striker who can score goals and take one in three chances.

Paul: I think this move just might be what Skov Olsen needed and hopefully at the end of his loan spell, he will see what a big club this is.

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Tochi Chukwuani made his Rangers debut as a substitute in Friday's 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Annan Athletic and says he can do was asked what his favoured role in midfield was.

"I don't think I have a so-called best position, I just call myself a midfielder," Chukwuani told BBC Scotland. "I can do everything in the midfield.

"It was nice to feel the stadium, the atmosphere and being with all the boys. Getting my first minutes was amazing.

"Huge achievement for me, personally, because Rangers is a historic club and the shirt is heavy to wear and you feel it once you step on the pitch. I'm just honoured to wear the badge."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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New Rangers winger Andreas Skov Olsen says fans can expect him to "go for it" and hopes to end the season lifting trophies.

The Denmark international has signed on loan from Wolfsburg until the end of the campaign, with Rangers holding the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Skov Olsen, 26, has made only 10 appearances for the Bundesliga side since his summer move from Club Brugge.

He excelled in Belgium, scoring 49 goals and providing 30 assists in 124 games and Skov Olsen told BBC Sport Scotland he hopes to show fans he can recapture that form at Ibrox.

"Hopefully I can bring extra strength to the front, to both score and create for the team," he said.

"I think they can expect I will try to break through, [going] inside and outside. Shoot and set up my mates. Just go, even [if I] lose the ball - go again.

"That's what they can expect - I will try and go for it.

"It's a very interesting time. But we have to take one game at a time and win the next one in front of us. Hopefully at the end of the season we'll lift trophies."

Skov Olsen played at Nordsjaelland in Denmark and with Bologna in Serie A before his move to Club Brugge.

He added he spoke to various people about the club, including some current Rangers players who he played with in his homeland.

"I know some of the guys from Nordsjaelland back in the day. [Oliver] Antman, the new signing Tochi [Chukwuani], and Dio [Mohamed Diomande].

"I know the guys a bit so it was very lovely to see them after some years.

"I spoke through a friend with Antman who came in the summer, obviously Tochi has just arrived, other than that I spoke to some other people about the club who only had good things to say."

Le Harve have won the race to sign reported Rangers target Lucas Gourna-Douath from Red Bull Salzburg. (L'Equipe via Daily Record, external)

Borussia Monchengladbach have joined the host of clubs chasing Sunderland's Dan Neil, with Rangers said to be interested in the midfielder. (Sky Germany via Daily Record, external)

Bojan Miovski scored a hat-trick as a fringe Rangers side breezed past Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.

Match report

Have your say

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "Yeah, 5-0 is a good result. The first couple of minutes, we needed a little bit of time. We rotated the players, they were not so connected but through the game we would be better and better.

"It was an opportunity to get some players minutes. It was good to see today a debut from the academy player [Zebedee Lawson]. Tochi [Chukwuani] got some first minutes. This is good to see. Bojan [Miovski] scored three times. This is fantastic. At the end, Thelo [Aasgaard] makes the fantastic fee-kick. It was a good finish in this game."

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Andreas Skov Olsen "wasn't in doubt for a second" about joining Rangers and wants to crown his loan spell with silverware.

The 26-year-old Denmark winger - who moved to Wolfsburg for a reported £12m a year ago - has switched to Ibrox in a loan deal that could become permanent in the summer.

"I'm very excited," Olsen told the Rangers website. "I'm very happy that it's done and I'm so excited to meet all the players, fans and the rest of the club.

"Rangers are the biggest club in Scotland with a huge history. It has huge traditions and is a very old club.

"When I finally heard that I had the opportunity to come here, I wasn't in doubt for a second. I want to come here to try help win trophies with the rest of the team, do my best, and have a great time here."

Olsen has 40 Denmark caps and over 200 appearances in a club career spanning Nordsjaelland, Bologna, Club Brugge and Wolfsburg.

Head Coach Danny Rohl says Olsen has will provide "real quality in the final third" for Rangers.

"We are really excited to bring Andreas to the club," Rohl added.

"He is a player who has proven himself at the top level and brings experience of performing under pressure both domestically and on the European stage.

"He arrives hungry for this challenge and excited by the opportunity ahead of him."