Rangers

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Sparta Prague boss Brian Priske refused to be drawn on how close he was to joining Rangers earlier this year as his side prepare to face Aberdeen in the Conference League.

The Dane, who had been sacked by Feyenoord in February, held talks with Rangers about their then-vacant managerial position prior to the club appointing Russell Martin in the summer.

Priske, 48, returned for a second spell as Sparta head coach in July and has guided them to second in the Czech top flight and sixth in the Conference League prior to Thursday night's visit of the Dons.

At his pre-match press conference, Priske said: "It is something I don't like to comment on.

"Different jobs, different interviews that I had, I decided when the opportunity came to come back to Prague and I am very happy with this.

"Who I spoke to and how close and whatever is, unfortunately, not for you guys.

"It is something I always keep for myself also in respect of the people that I had meetings with.

"It is normal in football when you are out of a job that you talk to different people but I prefer to keep it for myself.

"The most important thing is I am sitting here today and was happy to join Sparta Prague again this summer."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Danny Rohl was appointed head coach Rangers were struggling - eighth in the table, just one win league win, and 11 points behind leaders Hearts.

Fast forward two months and they're third, nine points off Hearts with a game in hand.

Russell Martin helmed seven Premiership matches before he was sacked and Rohl took his unbeaten league start to eight games with Monday night's 1-0 win over Hibs.

How do their numbers compare?

Points per game

While Martin only suffered one league defeat, he began with four successive draws and had to wait until late September for his sole victory, a 2-1 win at Livingston.

With seven games and eight points before he left Glasgow, the 39-year-old had a points per game average of 1.14.

To put things into perspective, Kilmarnock's points average from the same number of matches was 1.4, and they're currently second bottom.

Rohl has already vastly improved Martin's figure, with Rangers averaging 2.5 points per game. The German started with four wins in a row before draws with Falkirk and Dundee United stalled his progress.

Rangers reacted by beating Kilmarnock and Hibs, giving Rohl a haul of 20 points from 24 so far.

Goals for and against

Rohl has more than doubled Rangers' goals scored since taking charge. Under Martin, the team netted just six in seven games while Rohl's side have managed 15 in eight.

Martin's Rangers generated an expected goals of 9.1 (7.5 if you exclude penalties) but clearly majorly underdelivered that figure.

With Rohl in charge Rangers have outperformed their xG of 13.58 (12.8 minus penalties) with their 15 goals.

Martin's Rangers conceded seven in seven games with an expected goals against of 7.5. Rohl's side - despite losing first-choice centre-backs Derek Cornelius and John Souttar to injury - have conceded just four from an xG against of 7.4.

Chance creation

During Martin's tenure Rangers created 13 big chances, almost two per game, but only scored four of those.

With Rohl at the helm Rangers have created 18 big chances, scoring seven.

Rohl has clearly improved things at both ends of the pitch and is grinding out results in a way Martin was unable to do.

If Rangers can keep this up they are very much back in the title fight.

Rangers and Udinese are among clubs monitoring midfielder Pierre Ekwah, who is in a dispute with Saint-Etienne after refusing to accept a summer move to the relegated French club after they triggered a loan purchase option from Sunderland for the 23-year-old. (Foot Mercato), external

But Rangers have no interest in entertaining a sale for Djeidi Gassama, the 22-year-old winger subject to interest from Villarreal, in January under any circumstances. (Football Insider), external

January could be Rangers' last opportunity to sell Nicolas Raskin at a premium, while fellow midfielders Joe Rothwell and Kieran Dowell, plus winger Rabbi Matondo, are likely to leave if new clubs can be found. (Football Transfers), external

Goalkeeper Jack Butland could have left Ibrox in the summer but pulled the plug on an exit strategy that was in place, according to former Rangers number one Cammy Bell. (Record), external

Rangers will be backed by 2,362 supporters for their away match against Celtic next month after the exact ticket allocation was confirmed. (Herald - subscription required), external

Heart of Midlothian have had the biggest squad value rise (£1.95m) in the Scottish Premiership this season, becoming the third most valuable club - and, although Celtic and Rangers remain the most valuable, the Old Firm duo are the biggest losers (£5.4m and £9.1m respectively). (Transfermarkt), external

Celtic centre-half Liam Scales, Hearts forward Claudio Braga and Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama all received £900,000 upgrades in value since the start of the season. (Transfermarkt), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Findlay Curtis is not for budging after finally being handed a Rangers start by Danny Rohl.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has struggled for game-time since the German replaced Russell Martin in October.

But after four substitute appearances and a clamour from fans for the forward to get his chance, Findlay started in the 1-0 win over Hibs as Rangers moved third in the table.

"I was buzzing about that," said Curtis. "I think my hard work in training is paying off. I'm just happy to have made that start and it was a massive three points.

"Obviously in training you need to be the best player and just impress the manager and I'm happy I got a start.

"I scored a couple of goals in July to August, so I think it's just about working hard in training and you have to enjoy that backing [from fans] as well, but I'll just knuckle down.

"Obviously a lot of competition came into the club in the summer and it's good to have competition.

"It's just about working away and also being patient and once you get that chance you need to take it.

"He [Rohl] just said to me to be patient and just keep on knuckling down in training and then your rewards will come. He's been very good to me, he's been very honest.

"He's told me bits where I've been very good and told me bits where I need to work on, so I'll just work hard."

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Dujon Sterling marked his first Rangers start in eight months with an assist for the winner and says Danny Rohl has the blueprint to keep him fit.

The defender deliver a perfect cross for Emmanuel Ferndandez to plant a header into the net as Hibs were dispatched 1-0 at Ibrox on Monday night.

Sterling, 26, was making just his second appearance back from a long-term Achilles injury and is relishing working under Rohl, who remains unbeaten in the league and has steered Rangers to third place.

"It was good, and I could hear the fans clapping. Obviously, it would've been better if the team played better but as long as I get through it without any injuries then I am happy," he told Rangers TV.

"It has been good working with the gaffer. We get on really well, we understand each other and we have a plan on trying to keep me fit for as long as possible.

"I knew before the game it was going to be 60 minutes, whereas maybe in previous years I would've come in and played straight 90 and have to play 90 again.

"We have got a plan and I think it is going really well. He has got the boys livened up a bit as well so hopefully it continues that way.

"I felt comfortable, I don't really think they threatened us, a clean sheet is all you can ask for and then getting the goal even though it was a scrappy game, but we take the points."

We asked for your views on Rangers' 1-0 win against Hibernian which moved the Ibrox side into third in the Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Derek: Three points, but another slow, lethargic performance. Where is all this fast, flowing, attacking football? On a positive note, good to see Dujon Sterling back, great clearance off the line, then a quality cross for goal. Onwards and upwards.

Steven: Another three points and a clean sheet. A good night's work. However, our frontline continues to frustrate and this will likely hold us back from any title challenge. Danny Rohl is probably getting the best he can out of this bunch. Let's hope he can bring in a couple of better players in January and maybe we can challenge.

Rab: Not a game where we played like a Rangers team should, but credit where it's due, three points and the bonus of a clean sheet. Rohl's got us going in the right direction. I hope a productive January accelerates that.

Elaine: Not the best performance we'll ever put in but I'd take wins like this every game. Connor Barron is fast becoming the first name on the teamsheet. Another three points and we look ahead to Sunday with confidence.

Peter: Given our horrendous start to the season, three points off Hibs is a good result for our current squad. We knew it wasn't going to be pretty trying to scrape by to the next window but credit where it's due, Danny is steadying the ship on the domestic front which is exactly what we needed. We are by no means the underdogs going to Tynecastle, the gap is slowly but surely closing.

Robin: Enjoyed Rangers winning ugly. It was good to see Findlay Curtis getting his chance and playing well during a whole match. You have to have some sympathy for Lyall Cameron. What does he have to do to get his chance? He cannot even get off the bench never mind get a full game. Still, onwards and upwards.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

As weekends go it was an enjoyable one.

We continued our unbeaten league start under Danny Rohl and while it wasn't the most comfortable of wins against Hibs, it was a victory nonetheless.

Winning is all that matters. In fact, last night and the 1-0 win at Easter Road in October are the kind of matches we were drawing under Russell Martin.

Apart from the goal I felt Manny Fernandez defended well; his pace was an asset against Hibs' frontline.

Connor Barron was excellent until he was substituted. He's really hitting a wee purple patch of form.

And Mikey Moore again, he was the only attacker who looked threatening, but you can see the boy growing with each minute he's on the pitch.

Overall, after Thursday's Europa League defeat at Ferencvaros it was great to get back to winning ways.

Watch highlights from Ibrox as Rangers edge out Hibernian 1-0 to move third in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

Pierre Ekwah, the 23-year-old midfielder, who has attempted to terminate his contract at Saint Etienne, is once again linked with Rangers, along with Serie A side Udinese. (Footmercato - in French), external

Sheffield United are confident of securing a January deal for Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell, with their Championship rivals Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Derby County also showing interest in the 30-year-old. (TeamTalk), external

Rangers moved up to third in the Scottish Premiership with a nervy and narrow victory over Hibernian at Ibrox.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl tells BBC Scotland: "I am happy today for the group, it was an exceptional effort. It was not always the nicest football but we are finding a way to win games.

"We have five clean sheets now, I'd like us to be more clinical. I'm happy with the points but of course, we have to improve but it's step by step and for me it's abut winning games.

"The win was deserved, we played not every part of the game where you think 'it's amazing' but clean sheets and being clinical in the moment, then you deserve to win.

"Hibs were organised, they tried to play behind our last line and, apart from minutes 10-25 when we lost a bit of control, we deserved to win the game.

"Results are the first thing, with them belief and confidence come and we'll play more fluid. There's still some moments we stopped and that's where we have to improve."

On preparing for Hearts next week, Rohl added: "Now it's about recovering. It's the first normal week since I've come here, with no midweek game.

"We have to be brave, when we play forwards instead of backwards, then I think we have more than enough quality to hurt all opponents in the league.

"Let's see. Hopefully we make it a good game, put all the effort in and everyone knows what's in the game. It's about three points, the next step, let's continue like this."

Rangers attacker Mikey Moore, 18, wanted his detractors to "shut up" during a difficult start to his loan spell from Tottenham. (Glasgow Times - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Sheffield United are leading the race to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell in January. (Daily Record), external

Several other English clubs are interested in Rothwell, with Rangers' summer signing struggling for minutes under Danny Rohl. (Football Insider), external

Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl could be brought to Ibrox as part of a midfield rebuild. (Teamtalk), external

Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo could return to Rangers next month, according to Livingston coach Marvin Bartley. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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• Rangers have lost just one of their past 27 Scottish Premiership matches against Hibernian (W18 D8).

• In all competitions, Hibs have lost 12 of their past 13 away games against Rangers, winning the other 2-0 in April last season.

• Rangers have won five of their seven league games under Danny Rohl (D2), as many as their final 18 prior to his arrival (W5 D10 L3). They have also kept four clean sheets in their past six league matches, as many as their previous 28 beforehand.

• This will be Hibs' first Premiership game on a Monday since they lost 3-0 to Hearts in January 2023. Hibs have lost three of their past four games in the competition on this day of the week (D1) since a 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle in October 2013.

• Mikey Moore has scored in his past two league games for Rangers. A goal in this match would make him the first player aged 18 or younger to score in three successive Scottish top-flight appearances since Anthony Stokes netted in four in a row for Falkirk from October-November 2006.

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Rangers' Mohamed Diomande returns from suspension but Bojan Miovski picked up an injury against Ferencvaros and will be assessed while Joe Rothwell and Lyall Cameron did not feature in Hungary.

Rangers remain without John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman with muscle injuries. Rabbi Matondo (knee) and Kieran Dowell (foot) are closing in on comebacks.

Hibs are awaiting confirmation on whether Rocky Bushiri, Jordan Obita and Miguel Chaiwa - who are all due to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday - will be available.

Nicky Cadden (calf) remains a doubt while Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) is definitely out.

Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo leaves the door open to taking up the same role at Rangers. (Record), external

The key match incident panel has backed two controversial on-field decisions during Rangers' 3-0 win at Kilmarnock last Saturday, when Killie believed they should have had a penalty and also that Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland should have been sent off. (Sun), external

The panel also backed penalty decisions in Dundee United's 2-2 draw with Rangers, in which United were denied one and Rangers scored from one in added time. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

For just a second time in seven seasons, Rangers will not play knockout-stage European football.

Having mustered only one point from a possible 18 so far in this season's Europa League, the Ibrox side's hopes of progression were effectively killed off by the 2-1 defeat at Ferencvaros.

Rangers still have matches against Luodogorets and Porto before the league phase ends in January, but they'd need to win both and have a whole lot of results go in their favour.

The early exit is quite the fall from grace as the Europa League has been a happy hunting ground for Rangers in recent years.

Last year the club made the quarter-finals and the previous season they reached the last 16. The year before that, 2022, was the famous Europa League final run, which followed two campaigns of last-16 exits.

Rangers have now lost their past four away games in European competition and their nine-game winless streak is the third longest in their history.

In fact, Thursday night was the first time since 2019 Rangers have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Europa League, that's a run of 29 games.

The stats don't look great and for a team with such a proud history in this competition, fans will understandably be disappointed - but it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Danny Rohl in allowing him to focus on domestic matters.

Before the German's arrival their form was woeful as Russell Martin had won just one of eight league games and the team languished seventh in the Premiership.

Rohl is unbeaten in the league since taking charge - winning five of seven - and Rangers are now just six points behind Celtic and nine adrift of leaders Hearts, who have played a game more.

In fact the only time Rohl's side have dropped points were the two games that followed a Europa League tie, the 1-1 draw with Braga last month.

With a squad ravaged by injury and a testing run of festive fixtures beginning with the visit of Hibs to Ibrox on Monday, it's now all about trying to claw their way back into the title reckoning for Rohl's Rangers.

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Scott Allan on Radio Scotland Breakfast

If you look at Rangers' season as a whole it's been inconsistent. The domestic results have been a lot better but I just don't feel this Rangers squad is at the level to compete in the higher positions of the league phase.

Rangers were undone by basic defending errors against Ferencvaros and we've seen that time and time again this year.

Rory Loy on Scottish Football Podcast

I thought they did okay to a point, they'll be massively disappointed that is their European campaign over at this point.

Two games left, dead rubbers, and it's now a case of focusing domestically, although that might turn out to be a silver lining.

James McFadden on BBC Sportsound

Rangers make changes and it disrupts the team, although I think Findlay Curtis came on and did very well. I expected more from Rangers in the second half, and we didn't get it.

Billy Dodds on TNT Sports

The Rangers defence, that was as bad as I've seen it this season.