Rangers

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Jermain Defoe urged Dan Neil to join Rangers before the midfielder signed a three-year contract at Ibrox.

Neil, 24, had revealed he sought advice from former Rangers forward Defoe, who had similarly advised Mikey Moore, the Tottenham winger who spent last season on loan at Ibrox.

"It's a special football club to be honest," Defoe told Sky Sports.

"I always knew that Rangers was a big club but I didn't know how big.

"Before he even spoke, it was 'you've got to go'. You have to go. If you want a challenge, I said you have to go."

Defoe helped Rangers win the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership and Neil joins an Ibrox team coming off a disappointing season in which they finished third.

Derek McInnes has replaced Danny Rohl in the dugout and former Sunderland midfielder Neil joins Ben Godfrey, Ross McCrorie, Ivor Pandur and Lawrence Shankland in becoming a Rangers player this summer.

"For Rangers, they're signing a top player," said Defoe, who also played for Sunderland. "A top young player that is a good character. He works hard.

"And that's sort of one of the demands up there, you have to run around and work hard and give everything when you wear that shirt."

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Dan Neil sought advice from Jermain Defoe before joining Rangers and believes the Ibrox club has the right "characteristics".

Neil has signed a three-year with Derek McInnes' side after eight years at Sunderland and a short loan spell at Ipswich Town last season in which he helped the Tractor Boys win promotions to the Premier League.

Former Sunderland striker Defoe scored 32 goals in 74 Rangers appearances, helping them win the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership.

"I'm still only 24 and going into free agency was a bit of a weird one," Neil told Rangers TV.

"I was looking at certain characteristics in football clubs in what I wanted and what drives me as a footballer and a person. Rangers fit all the criteria.

"I spoke to Jermain Defoe, I spoke to [former Rangers manager] Graeme Murty. They were the main ones.

"[Scotland and former Sunderland forward] Ross Stewart was from Glasgow so I spoke to him about the area and things.

"They all spoke glowingly of the club and the area.

"It's a chance to fight for trophies and fight for titles. Football is everything in this city."

Neil, who wishes the Black Cats "nothing but the best", had been linked with a move to Ibrox for some time and says he talked with new manager McInnes "quite soon after he got appointed".

"I came here a few months ago and had a little tour," Neil explained. "It's an amazing football stadium."

And of his playing style, he explained: "I like to try and get on the ball and try and dictate games as much as I can. I'm a bit of a talker on the pitch as well."

Italian media link Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, 24, with Atalanta, whose head coach Mauricio Sarri is a fan of the Norway international. (Record), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Jack Butland has posted a farewell message to Rangers fans, with the goalkeeper expected to depart to Hull City following the arrival of Croatian Ivor Pandur.

After three years and more than 150 appearances for the club, the former England international says the Ibrox support have created "lifelong Rangers fans" within the Butland family.

"Three years ago I made a decision to join this great football club, with no hesitation, and I'm so glad that I did," the 33-year-old said on Instagram, external.

"While it's been a rollercoaster, I've always tried to represent the club in the best way I can, both on and off the pitch, and I leave with great pride knowing that I truly gave the fans, the club and my team-mates my all.

"To the fans that followed us everywhere, you are what makes this club so great. We created memories and atmospheres all over Europe and the sound of Ibrox in full voice will stay with me forever.

"This is only goodbye for now. You've created a family of lifelong Rangers fans - once a Ranger, always a Ranger - me and my family will always be that."

Croatian goalkeeper Ivor Pandur has made the switch from Hull City to Rangers, with Jack Butland expected to go the other way.

So Rangers fans, what do you make of the signing who helped Hull to promotion to the Premier League?

Is he the right man to replace the departing Butland?

Tell us your thoughts here.

Croatia goalkeeper Ivor Pandur is on the cusp of joining Rangers in a £6m transfer from Hull City, with Ibrox number one Jack Butland heading in the opposite direction, after the club promoted to the Premier League were forced into player sales to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. (Hull Daily Mail, external)

Ivor Pandur has undergone a medical while in the United States with Croatia's World Cup squad as the 26-year-old prepares to sign for Rangers for £6m from Hull City, with fellow goalkeeper Jack Butland moving in the opposite direction. (Scott Burns on X, external)

Rangers are set to complete a £6m move for Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur as 33-year-old Jack Butland prepares to head in the opposite direction in a £3m deal. (Rangers Review, external)

Ivor Pandur's £6m transfer to Rangers will be completed before Jack Butland's £3m switch to Hull City to allow the Premier League club the purchase of the Englishman after Tuesday's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) accounting period. (Inside Ibrox, external)

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles was also of interest to Rangers, but the key driver of that was Danny Rohl and the 20-year-old is no longer a target after the German's departure as head coach. (Pranev Shahaney on X, external)

Rangers will pay £3.8m for Ben Godfrey if they opt to sign the centre-half permanently next summer following the 28-year-old's loan from Atalanta. (The National, external)

Rennes believe they are close to signing 25-year-old Rangers-linked right-back Bryan Reynolds from Westerlo for £3.45m. (L'Equipe, external)

Goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo is leaving Rangers a year after joining and will join newly promoted Premier League club Coventry City as part of Frank Lampard's backroom staff. (Rangers Review, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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José Cifuentes has returned to Rangers at the end of his loan to Toronto after the Major League Soccer club decided not to trigger their option to buy the midfielder.

The 27-year-old made 17 appearances, 16 of them starts, scoring one goal and recorded four assists for the side who finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and 25th overall.

However, he missed the final four games of the season with a knee injury.

The Ecuador international joined Rangers from Los Angeles in 2023 but fell out of favour after 20 appearances and has since had loans with Cruzeiro in Brazil, Aris Salonika in Greece and then Canada.

Cifuentes is entering the final year of his contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

Lewis Ferguson told Bologna before heading for the World Cup with Scotland that he wanted to assess his future in July amid interest from Rangers, Lazio and now Atalanta and Roma, with the midfielder's current club valuing the 26-year-old at more than £17m. (Il Resto del Carlino, external)

Rangers will announce the signing of 28-year-old centre-half Ben Godfrey on loan with a significant option to buy from Atalanta on Monday. (Sky Sports, external)

Atalanta have sounded out Rangers about the availability of 24-year-old Norway midfielder Thelo Aasgaard. (Atalanta Reporter on X, external)

American right-back Bryan Reynolds is expected to decide his future within days as Rangers and Rennes battle to convince the 24-year-old to join them in a transfer likely to earn Westerlo between £3.4m and £4.4m. (Sacha Tavolieri on X, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kilmarnock have signed Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has made 16 first-team appearances for the Ibrox club, one of which came last season in the League Cup.

The midfielder also worked under head coach Neil McCann and assistant Billy Dodds when the pair were part of Barry Ferguson's temporary Rangers coaching staff last year.

Rangers team-mate Findlay Curtis spent last season on loan with McCann's side, scored five goals in 14 appearances for the Ayrshire club and earned his first senior cap for Scotland and a place in the World Cup squad.

"It's a big club and we've got a good team," Rice told Killie TV.

"I obviously know the gaffer and Doddsy well, so I've got a good relationship with them. I'm looking forward to it.

"I've been close with the manager here throughout my career for different reasons. He's honest, he doesn't hold anything back and that's what I like.

"I've got good vision when on the ball. I'm hoping I can take that on to the pitch and take games by the scruff of the neck."

McCann added: "He's someone I've known for a long time, even in his younger days.

"When we spent time at Rangers, we played him against Athletic Bilbao and he came on against Dundee as well. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to continue that progress under the new management team.

"He's somebody that I've always kept an eye on and he's got so much to offer us. The challenge for Bailey now is to get into our team. That's a challenge I think he's going to embrace."

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Leanne Crichton says there will be "no surprises" for new Rangers manager Derek McInnes.

Crichton is head coach of Rangers women and is now colleagues with McInnes, who has left Hearts to return to Ibrox after leaving there as a player in 2000.

"He knows the club in and out, has managed against the club on numerous occasions, played for the club, he knows it," Crichton told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"There will be no surprises for Derek.

"His communication skills are so vitally important, he knows how to manage the media in this country, he knows how to manage the expectations of fans, he's got a clear identity and style and a real understanding about what he wants his team to look like.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back into work next week and seeing what sort of impact he has on the wider club as well.

"I've got no doubt he's the right man for the job and it's a really exciting appointment."

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England-capped defender Ben Godfrey, 28, has passed a medical and is set to join Rangers on loan from Atalanta, with an option to buy. (Rangers Review - subscription required), external

Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, 24, is on a short-list of possible targets for French club Rennes. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

Real Betis are confident they can persuade Rangers to sell them midfielder Nicolas Raskin for below £20m. (Glasgow Times), external

Rangers are in talks with Hull City over a deal for goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, while Manchester United shot-stopper Radek Vitek is another option being considered. (Sky Sports), external

Despite rumours of Rangers interest, Real Salt Lake are leading the chase for Cammy Devlin, while MLS rivals Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders are also tracking the midfielder who is out of contract at Hearts but has been made an offer to stay at Tynecastle. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

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Derek McInnes' "straightforward" objective this season is to "be better than Celtic", says Willie Miller.

Former Ibrox player McInnes left his role as Hearts head coach to become Rangers manager after Danny Rohl departed Ibrox for Red Bull Salzburg.

Miller and McInnes are both former Aberdeen managers and the latter has also been in charge of Bristol City, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.

"Magnificent season last season, absolutely top quality but you've got to remember that Rangers and Celtic were in turmoil as well," Miller told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"He takes on a challenge now and it's straightforward challenge and he'll know it - just be better than Celtic.

"I don't think he should be thinking about European competition. Obviously, he can take that as it comes, as the season develops.

"He's been brought in to Ibrox to be better than Celtic, to take the title off Celtic and he knows it.

"To dominate Scottish football, you've got to be better than Celtic."

Miller says making Rangers champions in McInnes' first season in charge is a "huge target for him to achieve".

"He nearly did it, nearly lifted the title with Hearts in his first season so he'll be confident that he can make a major impression at Ibrox," Miller added.

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Rangers are open to a straight swap deal with Hull City for goalkeepers Jack Butland and Ivor Pandur. (Alan Nixon on Patreon - subscription required), external

Real Betis are the latest club to express an interest in Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, as they consider potential replacements for Dani Ceballos, who is expected to move on. (Mediaset via Daily Record - subscription required), external

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Thelo Aasgaard's goal for Norway in a 4-1 defeat to France makes him the first Rangers player to score at a World Cup since Brian Laudrup in 1998.

The French had barely finished celebrating the second of Ousmane Dembele's three first-half goals when the Ibrox midfielder wrong-footed two defenders before drilling a shot past Mike Maignan.

Norway made 10 changes, including leaving star striker Erling Haaland on the bench, as they finished runners-up in Group I to set up a meeting with Ivory Coast in the round of 32.

We asked for your thoughts on defender Ross McCrorie making his return to Ibrox as Derek McInnes' first signing.

Here's a selection of your replies...

Alan: Should never have been allowed to leave. He was and still is a future Rangers captain.

Elaine: Another good signing. Ross knows exactly what it takes to play here and can make the number two shirt his own for a good few years. He's also versatile and might very well be Scotland's next right-back.

Matt: Good, versatile player, who knows the club and expectations. Welcome home Ross!

Andy: A player we should never have let go, smashing defender, a true Ranger. Hope the lad gets the chance and bring back Nathan Patterson too. This is going to be a good season for us.

David: McCrorie will be a good addition, he knows the club and culture within, and he returns a better player. McInnes will improve him, no question.

Billy: May be a good signing but is he any better than Dujon Sterling?

Les: Big Ross, reliable right-back and possible deputy center-back. Good Scottish signing. Keep them coming, Derek.

Chris: He struggled here before, although that was in a poor team after being put under considerable pressure by previous managers. I've always been impressed with him since he left. Solid signing but only one small step in the right direction.

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New Rangers signing Ross McCrorie says manager Derek McInnes is a leader players "run through brick walls" for.

The pair have been reunited at Ibrox after previously working together at Aberdeen, with McInnes appointed as manager in Glasgow last week and McCrorie signing from Bristol City on Thursday.

McCrorie was a Rangers academy graduate before joining the Dons in 2020.

"When you speak to the gaffer, he's a man you would run through brick walls [for]," McCrorie told Rangers TV.

"The gaffer's a big influence in my career - he was the one that gave me the belief to go and crack on and unlock the talent I know I had.

"The gaffer is a bit old school as well, but you need that at times, you need that hard side, because it is not easy to be at a club like Rangers and the mentality needs to be there, especially this season.

"I've been frustrated as a fan watching in the last few years because I want to see the club win. That is why I am back, I want to come and help the team win trophies.

"The only way I would've come back to Scotland was for Rangers and it was only going to be Rangers if I was coming back to Scotland.

"It was always something for me - unfinished business. It's great to be back. It's about time I came back. I feel I'm ready now."

With long-serving captain James Tavernier departing this summer, McCrorie is taking over the number two jersey.

"I'm really good friends with Tav," McCrorie said of his former team-mate. "I've got a lot of respect for Tav. He's a legend at this club.

"I've been number two at my previous clubs. When I first broke through at Rangers, I was number 40, and I phoned and asked the gaffer if I could take number two because that is my number, and I've made it my own in the last few years."

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Derek McInnes has made Scotland defender Ross McCrorie his first Rangers signing.

The pair previously worked together at Aberdeen and now reunite at Ibrox, with McCrorie returning to Ibrox from Bristol City.

The Rangers academy graduate, 28, has signed a three-year deal and is the club's second summer signing after Lawrence Shankland.

Rangers fans, what do you make of McCrorie's arrival? Is the type of signing needed to help wrest the title away from Celtic?

Share your views here.

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Derek McInnes' arrival at Rangers is a "really solid" appointment, says Ibrox goalkeeper Jack Butland.

Butland, 33, is hopeful Rangers can gain "stability" under McInnes, who featured as a player for the Ibrox side in the late 1990s.

"[I have] bumped into him a few times over the years," Butland told TalkSPORT.

"He's an ex-Rangers player, we've had the odd chat here and there, we've always had a bit of back and forth about the club.

"I know how much he cares about it, I know how much it means to him.

"For the club, it's a really solid appointment, someone that we can hopefully build around for a number of years - gain some stability with someone that knows what it means, knows the culture.

"It's a really good appointment, I'm looking forward to it."

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Bologna have opened preliminary talks with Rangers over the signing of Nico Raskin, 25, while new Ibrox manager Derek McInnes would like Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson to move in the opposite direction. (TeamTalk), external

Hull City have made an offer for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin in the region of £12-14m but the Ibrox club value the Belgium international at nearer £20m. (Mike White on X), external

Rangers have agreed to pay Bristol City around £1.5m to bring Ross McCrorie back to Ibrox. The 28-year-old defender has completed his medical and will put pen to paper on a three-year deal with another 12 month club option. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

Rangers have been priced out of a move for Westerlo right-back Bryan Reynolds, with French club Rennes offering around £3.3m for the 24-year-old American. (Daily Record - subscription required), external