Rangers

Image source, SNS

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers fought back at Celtic Park to earn a precious Old Firm derby win.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

David: Really thought we were in for a Tynecastle repeat after a dreadful first half, lucky to keep it at 1-0. Different team in second half though. More combative in midfield and controlled the game. Great to see Youssef Chermiti starting to come good. A comfortable win in the end. We're still far from a class act but now starting to look like a team. Onwards and upwards.

Ruaridh: Like any good manager, in any walk of life, Danny Rohl has demonstrated an astute ability to quickly identify problems and remedy them with the tools at his disposal. Given the rusty toolbox he inherited at Rangers, this is an incredible achievement in such a short space of time and he deserves immense credit.

Graeme: The result is great. But it rather masks the performance, especially first half. If Celtic had a half decent striker the game was over by half-time. Change should have been made sooner. Improvement slowly but surely?

Stephen: Rohl deserves credit for getting the most from the team he has. The first half was disappointing and it was only because Celtic squandered chances that Rangers were still in it at half-time. But the second half was Rangers playing like a team, and it was Celtic who fell apart under pressure. Rangers definitely need to strengthen the squad in the transfer window. And if they do, they could actually be title contenders by the end of the year.

Blue Eck: Well! That was something. Rohl deserves as much credit as the players for this win. He saw what wasn't working and made the crucial changes. He has also worked with what was at his disposal and one by one is making them better individually and collectively.

Rangers made an offer to AEK Athens for the services of 27-year-old former Hearts left-back James Penrice that was rejected by the Greek club. (Giannis Chorianopoulos on X), external

Rap star Stormzy was a Celtic guest of honour at Saturday's Old Firm derby and afterwards posed for a snap with Youssef Chermiti, who scored a double in Rangers' 3-1 victory, that the striker shared on Instagram. (Daily Record), external

Rangers players were welcomed back to Ibrox with a firework display from supporters after their 3-1 Old Firm derby win on Saturday. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Rangers drew level with Celtic in second place in the Scottish Premiership as Youssef Chermiti's second-half double and Mikey Moore's clincher saw Danny Rohl's side complete a comeback win.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

Image source, SNS

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "I give big respect to my team. In the first half, we tried something, but they were better.

"They won the 50-50 duels and they played big and fast and behind, created us a lot of problems.

"In the second half, we changed at half-time a little bit the style of pressing. We are good in the game then.

"You have two stories, we can turn things in one half to come back 3-1 and win this game and the second story, we have a centre-forward in Youssef [Chermiti] who scores fantastic goals.

"We should enjoy this, but tomorrow but we have to be ready again for the next game. This is a demanding league.

"My players did really well today. It is a statement. It's a massive three points, but now it's about continuing our way and there's also a good feeling to have three wins in a row now."

Rangers are pushing ahead with a loan move for AEK Athens left-back James Penrice, are still exploring a deal to bring Wrexham attacking midfielder Josh Windass back to Ibrox and are open to offers for striker Danilo. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers have no interest in Emil Bohinen despite widespread reports in Italy linking the 26-year-old Derby-born Venezia midfielder, currently on loan from Genoa, with a move to Ibrox. (Daily Record), external

Motherwell assistant manager Max Rogers believes Elliot Watt is mature enough to keep his focus solely on matters on the pitch after the 25-year-old midfielder was linked with Rangers. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos wants to break his contract with Santos, citing serious payment defaults, and the 29-year-old Colombian therefore considers himself a free agent. (UOL), external

Former Rangers interim assistant manager Neil McCann is being considered for the vacancy at Kilmarnock along with Aberdeen coach Peter Leven and former Dundee United and Heart of Midlothian boss Robbie Neilson. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Mexico right-back Julian Araujo goes straight into the Celtic squad after joining on loan from Bournemouth.

Wilfried Nancy remains without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) along with Jota (knee) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha remain on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Bojan Miovski returns to the Rangers squad after illness.

Nasser Djiga is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Derek Cornelius, Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman remain out with muscle injuries.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic are winless in their past four league games against Rangers (D2 L2); they had only failed to win four of their previous 12 Old Firm derbies in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W8 D3 L1).

• Both of the past two league Old Firm derbies have been drawn; Celtic and Rangers haven't played out three successive league draws since October 2002.

• Celtic are winless in the past three occasions that their first league game of a calendar year has come against Rangers (D1 L2), although each were at Ibrox. When playing their league opener of a year at home to Rangers, Celtic are unbeaten in four (W2 D2) since a 4-2 defeat in 1994.

• Rangers have only lost their opening league match in one of the past 14 calendar years (W11 D2), going down 2-1 away to Kilmarnock in 2019.

• The last league meeting between Celtic and Rangers in August featured just nine shots and 0.34 expected goals. Since Opta have this data in the competition (from 2019-20), it's the lowest xG on record in a Scottish Premiership match, and also the second-lowest shot tally in this time, ahead of only St Johnstone v Livingston in May 2021 (seven).

• Celtic have lost five of their 19 league games so far this season. It's already their most defeats in a single campaign since 2020-21 (also five), while they last suffered more defeats in 2012-13 (seven).

• Rangers have won four of their past five league games (L1), just one fewer than they had in their first 14 this term (W5 D8 L1). Both of their defeats so far have been against league leaders Heart of Midlothian.

• This will be the first league Old Firm derby for both Celtic's Wilfried Nancy and Rangers' Danny Röhl.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Captain James Tavernier says Rangers will "fight all the way to the end of the season" in their bid to win the Scottish Premiership.

The Ibrox club were 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts when new manager Danny Rohl took over in October. Rangers are now six points behind Derek McInnes' side.

Rangers can draw level on points with second-placed Celtic with an away win in Saturday's Old Firm derby. The points deficit had been eight when Rohl was appointed.

"From where we were in the season, some might have written us completely off, but we've just had to keep our heads down and keep chipping away," 2021 title winner Tavernier, 34, said.

"We've had setbacks, but overall we've been working really hard to try and put ourselves back in with a shout."

After a 0-0 draw in the first league derby of the season and an extra-time defeat by Celtic in the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup, Tavernier believes a win at Celtic Park on Saturday could set Rangers up for a title charge – if they can build on it.

"Obviously, we want to get the three points, but if you can display a good performance with that, then it sets you up even better for the remaining of the season," said Tavernier.

"If we go there and win, it will give us good confidence, but we also need to still be humble about it, consistency is always key in any season.

"When you're playing week in, week out, you have to have that consistency. We've just got to be solid from now until the end of the season."

Rangers won 3-2 on their last visit to Celtic Park, in March of 2025, with Nico Raskin scoring the opening goal in the first five minutes.

Tavernier, who has held talks about extending his contract beyond this season, says another good start could be crucial on Saturday.

"There have been times in the past when I've played there when we've done well and we've got the crowd almost against them," added Rangers' skipper.

"That's obviously down to the way we play, so that's going to be down to us, how we start from the first whistle. It's going to be very hostile, so you've just got to really enjoy it, embrace it and give it your all."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl and captain James Tavernier has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Celtic. Here's a flavour of what they had to say...

• Rohl says "in the dressing room I asked my players if they are ready - they are ready", with Rangers trailing second-placed Celtic by three points after 19 league games.

• The head coach has "the feeling that we can deliver consistent wins" after the recent narrow home victories over Motherwell and St Mirren.

• Rohl believes he "can nearly go with my best XI" at Celtic Park, with striker Bojan Miovski back in contention.

• A first win in the Old Firm fixture "would be amazing" for the German, with the Old Firm derby "never just about three points" because of the emotion around it.

• Rohl believes Rangers need a "long run" if they are to have hopes of winning the league and victory at Celtic Park would boost confidence.

• The Rangers boss believes a good start at Celtic Park could make the hosts more nervous but says it would be a "mistake" to underestimate Celtic.

• Captain Tavernier, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and revealed there have been talks about extending his 11-year stay at Rangers.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Rangers are considering a move for Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt, 25. (Sun), external

Ex-Rangers captain and manager Barry Ferguson urges the Ibrox side to seize the chance to win at Celtic Park on Saturday but insists the visitors cannot take anything for granted amid the hosts' recent form. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Defender Emmanuel Fernandez "can't wait" to play in his first Old Firm derby when Rangers visit Celtic Park on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who joined Rangers in the summer, was an unused substitute in the League Cup semi-final in November and the goalless draw with Celtic at Ibrox back in August.

But the centre-back has established himself in the centre of Danny Rohl's defence and scored in the 2-1 win over St Mirren at the weekend which moved the Ibrox club to within three points of Celtic going into Saturday's clash.

"We've just got to stay focused about ourselves, get to the weekend and deal with it," Fernandez said.

"I can't wait for it because I think it'll be my first derby and we've just got to go into the game with the mentality that we get three points and move on to the next.

"I couldn't be more grateful to be involved in that game.

"Obviously, it's a massive derby and I've just got to be excited and ready for it and focus in the game and see where that gets me.

"I don't think it will [faze me], personally, because I have played in front of a lot of people before and it's just about focus and belief in yourself.

"And you're still playing a football game at the end of the day and you've just got to focus on what's happening on the pitch."

Fernandez gave credit to set-piece coach Scott Fry after volleying in a Youssef Chermiti cross to put Rangers 2-0 up against St Mirren with his fourth goal of the season.

He said: "Scott has had a big help in me getting these goals. He always talks about second phases and what we need to do.

"I think both of our goals were from second phases, from a set-piece. It's difficult, because as I do keep winning it (in the air), people defend differently and maybe put two players on you.

"But I do back myself as long as I get the right movement and the delivery is good. I don't think many people stop me.

"So I'm enjoying the run and it's about continuing this run and keep going and getting three points as much as possible."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Rangers moved within three points of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership thanks to another victory, this time a 2-1 win at home to St Mirren, and they've got one player in my team of the week.

Emmanuel Fernandez's best moments have been in the opposition box. The defender took his goal against St Mirren superbly well.

Rangers are considering a January move for left-back James Penrice, who joined AEK Athens from Hearts in the summer. (Daily Record), external

Danny Rohl confirms Rangers are in talks with defender John Souttar over a new contract. (Glasgow Times), external

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-1 win against St Mirren as Danny Rohl's men narrowed the gap on top two Hearts and Celtic.

Here are some of your comments:

Rhys: If you had told me a few months ago we were now in contention for winning the league I would be the one laughing. But all credit goes to Danny Rohl, the vision and concept he has for our team is unreal!

Rab: Three points are all that mattered. Some encouraging signs, but what we desperately need is a 'how to defend from corners' coach.

Ross: That was a game of two halves. In the first I thought we could have scored about 10, but the second was typical of this season's team; panicky and unable to retaliate when things go wrong. Dare I say it, Youssef Chermiti had a great game and all he was missing was that end product. I don't think this team are as bad as we always say. We would take being just six points back at this stage any other year.

Robert: This manager is making a massive improvement on a bad squad, definitely on the right track at last. Whoever has the best transfer window wins the league, it's that simple.

Paul: Much-improved performance with more energy all over the park. Chermiti for me was man of the match with fantastic hold up and link-up play. Nervous last 15 and again self-inflicted with poor decision-making the reason for that.

Peter: Good three points again, starting to see improvement but glaring to see a couple of strikers required many chances to kill the game and give some breathing space rather than an edgy final 10 minutes. Has Thelo Aasgaard found a bit of form? Hope so. Is Chermiti better on the wing? Djeidi Gassama had a good game, as well as a big win on Saturday. Send a few shivers down the spine.

Watch the best of the action from Ibrox as Rangers - who visit Old Firm rivals Celtic on Saturday - narrowed the gap on the top two with a 2-1 win over St Mirren. (Available to UK users only)

Rangers secured their first win over St Mirren in more than a year to end 2025 within six points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and within three of Celtic before Saturday's second Old Firm game of the season in the league.

Read the match report

Have your say

Image source, SNS

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Scotland: "Not an easy one. We played 75 minutes a very good game, very controlled in both directions. Then we concede from a corner and it's difficult. In the end we are happy and can carry on.

"It's not about two, three, four games - it's about 10 and 11. We have to perform again and again consistently. At the moment we are doing this.

"I can see steps forwards from my group. I want to give Youssef today great credit - a great performance. He gives us exactly what he need. He is on the last line, he can keep the ball, he can link play, all those things.

"We won. We are happy. We took the next small step on our long journey.

"We have reduced the gap to three and six points, but it's nothing in football. It's about next, next, next. If we can carry on this way, we will have a good second half of the season.

"If you take a lot of wins and make a lot of things right, you come in positions where you can play for something. No-one will give us any presents in this league."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

After the loss to Hearts, it was imperative we bounced back with a win at home to an in-form Motherwell side and thankfully we managed to do that thanks to Thelo Aasgaard's back post tap-in.

However, I felt in the first 25 minutes or so, Motherwell passed us to death and created two good chances. Butland bailed the team out there and made a massive save from Hendry in the second half just before the goal. So credit to him, especially after his blunder at Tynecastle.

One area where we really need to improve and strengthen in the window is the attacking areas. We have so many chances to kill the game on the break but we were not clinical or ruthless enough.

It's a big week. We have St Mirren tonight and Celtic on Saturday. We shall see how these matches pan out. One thing is for sure, we need quality and we need it all over the team.

January is a notoriously difficult month but we have to sort the spine of the team as quickly as we can before the season really begins to get away from us.

This window cannot be scattergun like Thelwell oversaw. It has to be almost perfect.

Image source, SNS

Rangers defender Nasser Djiga is on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Oliver Antman, Nedim Bajrami, Derek Cornelius and Rabbi Matondo remain out.

St Mirren are missing the injured Keanu Baccus.