Rangers Archives - Page 3 of 13

Watt’s Rise, Derby Days, and Chasing the Jambos: SPFL Matchday 20 Breakdown

Scottish Premiership football returns for 2026 with an action-packed card on Saturday afternoon. Here are the key talking points to watch out for this weekend. Player to Watch: Elliot Watt Elliot Watt has evolved into a crucial cog in Jens Berthel Askou’s Fir Park machine. Having featured 25 times this term with four goal involvements, the midfielder has emerged as a standout in the Scottish Premiership. Following a loan spell at relegated St Johnstone last season, the former Burton Albion man has flourished for Motherwell, playing with a high level of consistency and maturity. With 2026 now underway, this could be a career-defining year for Watt. While Steve Clarke’s Scotland midfield seems settled, Watt’s current form suggests he could force his way into international contention. As Motherwell host St Mirren on Saturday, Watt will be important for the Steelmen, as they look to reclaim third place. Game of the Round: Celtic vs. Rangers The first domestic fixture of the year sees Scotland’s two powerhouses collide at Celtic Park, yet this episode carries a unique level of wonder, with both clubs in states of transition. Pressure is mounting on Wilfried Nancy. The Celtic boss has endured a chaotic start to his tenure, losing five of his opening seven matches. Despite claiming to see “good stuff” in their recent defeat to Motherwell, Nancy’s side missed the opportunity to move level with leaders Hearts. Conversely, Danny Rohl has steadied the ship at Ibrox. Since his arrival, he has reduced the gap to the summit from 13 points to six. He may have tasted defeat in his first derby during the League Cup semi-final, but a run of just one loss in eleven league matches has reignited a title charge that seemed impossible just months ago. Victory for either manager will be crucial for the remaining months of the season. Team in the Spotlight: Hearts The league leaders return to Tynecastle to host Livingston, desperate to banish the memory of their derby defeat at Easter Road last weekend. Having reached the midway point of the season at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, Derek McInnes will be keen for his side to maintain their challenge in 2026. They face a struggling Livingston side, but will be focused on extending their unbeaten home record. Victory could build further breathing space from the chasing pack, depending on the result at Celtic Park. The home side may be aided by their latest recruit, Spanish right-back Jordi Altena, who officially joined from the Dutch second division on January 1st.

January 2, 2026

Former Aviva Stadium CEO Takes Commercial Officer Job at Rangers

David French has been announced as Rangers new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Ibrox after leaving his role at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. French left his role in the Irish capital in early 2025 helping organise matchday events for both the Irish Football and Rugby teams, along with handling non-sporting events such as concerts that were held at the stadium. Before settling in Ireland, French had worked as the Director of Venue at Manchester United and was also the General Manager of the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Shanghai, China. He is described as a “commercially focused leader with extensive experience in finance and commercial roles.” This is according to his professional LinkedIn profile. The CCO position at Ibrox had been empty since Sean Jefferson left the club at the end of last season, who had the role on an interim basis. This comes as Rangers chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe have taken a more hands-on approach to running the club since the failures of Russell Martin, Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart earlier on this season. Danny Rohl has taken over as Rangers head coach from Martin, and we at SNN Sports announced that Stig Inge Bjørnebye had arrived at Rangers as a football consultant, a role similar to the director of football title held by Thelwell. It is unknown when a successor to Stewart as CEO will be announced however French as CCO will be tasked with using Ibrox and neighbouring Edmiston House to drive up revenue with both footballing and non-footballing ventures for the club. It is also believed that over the past few weeks Cavanagh and Marathe have started to get towards the end of their recruitment process for the various empty roles in the Rangers boardroom. It is anticipated that there will be more movement on this front from Rangers in the near future as the club continues to rebuild itself on and off the pitch after the disastrous state the club was in just a number of months ago. Read our article on Rangers’ announcement of Stig Inge Bjørnebye here: Rangers Announce Stig Inge Bjørnebye as Football Advisor

January 1, 2026

Rangers sign off 2025 with narrow 2-1 win over St Mirren

Rangers finish the calendar year of strongly with a first win over St Mirren in over a year and leave themselves inside touching distance between league leaders Hearts and rivals Celtic. Rangers started strong, showing intensity and energy all over the pitch, and their hard work paid off as Jayden Meghoma and James Tavernier played a sharp move giving Meghoma space to perform a terrific cross which found Thelo Aasgaard and allowed him to head home. Mikey Moore almost doubled the lead before half-time, but Shamal George was alert enough to tip it onto the crossbar. Just after the interval, the League Cup winners almost equalised, a slip from John Souttar put Jack Butland right into action with Mikael Mandron’s effort being denied. Moments later, an inviting cross from Youssef Chermiti found Emmanuel Fernandez lurking at the back post to put it through George’s legs and into the back of the net. A comfortable evening for Danny Rohl’s side evaporated quickly, a VAR call for handball against Emmanuel Fernandez saw referee Ryan Lee point to the spot, but Marcus Fraser’s dull spot-kick was saved easily by Butland. But this wasn’t the end for the visitors, in the 82nd minute, the Buddies scored after Butland parried Miguel Freckleton’s effort into the path of Mandron. The late goal brought St Mirren right back into the match, but it was too little too late. And with many chances not taken, Steven Robinson’s side will disappointed not to take more away from Ibrox on this occasion, but going into the 2026 calendar year with a League Cup in the trophy cabinet I don’t think too many fans will be too ruthless about this one. For Danny Rohl, his biggest test awaits, as he visits CelticPark in a match that means so much in this crazy title race. Rohl, said: “Our belief is there. When we look at the moment, except from the 2-1 defeat, we took a lot of points. We had some great performances; we had also some performances where not everything was good. Now we go with confidence. It’s a huge game, but we are prepared for this. I think this is what we want to see. “In this game it’s important that we are strong. I think it’s important that refs are strong in this game as well. If we do this, we will have a fantastic game.” As the season enters a vital stage, Rohl will know that margin for error is small, but with recent results going in the right direction progress in this title race remains alive. Rangers: Butland 8, Tavernier 6, Souttar 6 (Nsiala 79, 3) Fernandez 7, Meghoma 6, Raskin 7, Diomande 7 (Curtis 91, 1) Aasgaard 7 (Barron 68, 4), Moore 7 (Aarons 68, 3) Gassama 6, Chermiti 7 (Danilo 79, 2) St Mirren: George 4, Richardson 5, King 5, Fraser 4, Freckleton 6, John 5, Gogic 5, Phillips 5 (Donnelly 87, 1) Idowu 3 (McMenamin 57, 5) Mandron 7 (Mooney 87, 1) Ayunga 3 (Nlundulu 37, 4).

December 31, 2025

Russell Martin To Replace Wilfried Nancy at Columbus Crew

Ex-Rangers manager Russell Martin is said to be close to a return to management as Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy’s replacement at Columbus Crew. The 39-year-old was dismissed at Ibrox after just 17 games, in which he only won five, following his appointment in June of this year. However, Columbus Crew chiefs appear to be prepared to look beyond Martin’s forgetful Rangers tenure and offer the former Southampton boss a chance to rebuild his reputation in Ohio. Wilfried Nancy departed the States for Parkhead at the beginning of December, but the Frenchman is already under huge pressure after he lost his opening four games, including defeats to league leaders Hearts and the League Cup final to St. Mirren. This poor start led to rumours of a possible Ange Postecoglou return to Scotland and even Nancy himself returning to Columbus, which was quashed after Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson publicly backed his new appointment through club media. The Crew’s next competitive game isn’t until February 22nd when they face Portland Timbers upon the start of the 2026 MLS season, with the 2023 MLS Cup champions afforded with some time to identify Nancy’s replacement. Martin managed MK Dons and Swansea City before joining Southampton where he returned the Saints to the Premier League. That season in the top-flight seen the former Scotland international sacked, and he was appointed Rangers manager six months later. The former Rangers loanee did not enjoy much success in Glasgow’s Southside as a player or manager, and will be hoping for a change in fortunes if a move to North America goes through which will see Martin leave the United Kingdom for the first time in his professional career.

December 30, 2025

Derek Johnstone calls for greater intensity from Rangers during half time draw

Former Rangers legend Derek Johnstone demonstrated an astonishing rant on the Rangers squad after recent below par performances Rangers have been poor for majority of the campaign so far, sitting nine points behind league leaders Hearts. Danny Rohl, the successor of former boss Russel Martin, seems to be getting results domestically, even with the lacklustre performances on show. And with the match between Motherwell and Rangers being level at half time, Derek Johnstone, who was conducting the half-time draw, took the chance to express his and many other Rangers supporters’ emotions at this current time. Johnstone focused on the team’s lack of leadership and effort. He said: “At this club, you have to give everything. I don’t see that happening today.” He also spoke about the lack of fight for one another out on the pitch. Johnstone, who is deemed as one of Rangers most successful strikers, scoring 210 goals in 544 appearances for the club, left a passionate comment that energized the Ibrox crowd. Johnstone said: “No surrender” in an emotional manner to the Gers fans. Rangers won the match, with the only goal coming from Thelo Aasgaard in the 67th minute.

December 29, 2025

Hearts 2-1 Rangers: quickfire double seals third straight win for Jambos

Hearts 2-1 Rangers Findlay (38′) Shankland (42′) Chermiti (90+5′) Hearts produced a powerful first-half performance to hand Danny Rohl his first league defeat as Rangers manager, and extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The game started frantically, but neither side was able to test their opposing goalkeepers in a drab opening nine minutes. That was until James Tavernier’s inswinging corner, which was prodded home by Bojan Miovski at the far post. The away supporters’ celebrations were eventually ruled out, with the Macedonian striker marginally offside from the set piece. Despite the disallowed goal, Rangers had settled well in the Tynecastle cauldron, keen to extend their unbeaten domestic streak under Danny Rohl’s guidance. Alexandros Kyziridis burst into life in the 17th minute. After collecting Michael Steinwender pass, he marauded infield from the right wing. His left-footed curler from 20 yards had pace, but narrowly curled wide of Jack Butland’s right post. Rangers looked dangerous from another set piece moments later, Tavernier was the architect, but his looping free kick was headed wayward by the incoming Nicolas Raskin. Alexander Schwolow tipped Mikey Moore’s right-footed strike after beating his man moments later, as the visitors continued to pose a threat. Hearts clicked into life shortly after. Top goalscorers Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland linked in the centre of the park, before releasing Kyziridis in an advanced area. His driven cross from the right had no takers, but it was the Jambos’ best move of the half so far. Derek McInnes carved out the opening goal in the 37th minute. Braga linked with Kyziridis from a corner kick, whose delivery was powered home by the towering Stuart Findlay. The centre back has been a crucial component of the Jambos’ season, and his 5th league goal invigorated the home side. The second goal arrived four minutes later, courtesy of their captain. Claudio Braga nodded through to Lawrence Shankland after another free-kick, who drilled past Jack Butland at his near post: a quickfire double, and another statement of intent from the league leaders. The second half struggled to replicate the frenetic energy of the first 45, with clear-cut chances proving rare in the opening exchanges. Lawrence Shankland should have put the game to bed on the hour mark, but he could only sidefoot wide from inside the area after another mazy run from Kyziridis. Rangers began to see more of the ball in advanced areas, yet they lacked the killer instinct required to test Schwolow truly. That frustration was epitomised in the 64th minute when Djeidi Gassama failed to connect with a teasing back-post cross, leaving the visitors searching for answers. By committing men forward, Rangers inevitably left gaps for Hearts to exploit. Shankland looked certain to grab his second and Hearts’ third in the 68th minute following a lightning counter-attack, but Jack Butland reacted brilliantly to smother his right-footed strike. The Rangers keeper was called into action again moments later, safely gathering Frankie Kent’s tame header to keep his side in the contest. Desperate for a breakthrough, Danny Rohl turned to his bench for the final 15 minutes, introducing Danilo for Miovski. The substitute nearly made an immediate impact from the edge of the box, seeing his deflected strike whistle past the post, before Emmanuel Fernandez flashed a header wide from the resulting corner. As the clock ticked down, Hearts naturally retreated into a defensive shell, desperate to protect their clean sheet and two-goal cushion. Despite a late consolation strike from Youssef Chermiti, the damage was done, handing Rohl his first league defeat as Rangers manager. The victory momentarily pushes the Jambos nine points clear of Celtic and preserves their unbeaten league record at Tynecastle. The high-stakes fixtures show no sign of slowing down for Hearts, ahead of a massive trip to Easter Road for the second Edinburgh Derby of the season. Hearts: Schwolow 8 Steinwender 7 Kent 8 Findlay 9 Kingsley 8 Devlin 9 McEntee 8 Kyziridis 9 Magnusson 7 Braga 7 Shankland 9 Substitutes: Forrest 6 Baningime 6 Kerjota 4 McCart 4 Kabangu 2 Rangers: Butland 6 Aarons 6 Tavernier 5 Sterling 4 Fernandez 6 Meghoma 4 Barron 5 Raskin 5 Diomande 4 Moore 5 Miovski 4 Substitutes: Chermiti 4 Gassama 4 Danilo 3 Aasgaard 3

December 21, 2025

Rangers Announce Stig Inge Bjørnebye as Football Advisor

Rangers have announced the former Norway international player Stig Inge Bjørnebye in a football advisor role on an initial six month contract. 56-year-old Bjørnebye will take up his role from this week as Rangers prepare for the January transfer window. It’s understood that Bjørnebye’s role will be to advise chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe, who will have the final say on transfers in January, however head coach Danny Rohl will also be involved in these decisions. This comes after former sporting director Kevin Thelwell and former CEO Patrick Stewart were sacked on the 24th November following the worst start to a season for Rangers in 47 years. Bjørnebye had a strong playing career appearing for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool in the English Premier League. He also got 75 caps for Norway, one of which being against Scotland at the World Cup in France 1998. He has been the Norway assistant coach and the head coach of Norwegian club side IK Start for a short period. He also has experience of working in sporting director roles at Rosenborg in his native Norway and most recently at Aarhus in Denmark. It’s also our understanding that Rangers are in no rush to announce a new CEO or sporting director, happy to take time to make sure they get those appointments right. Rangers will be looking for defensive cover, a holding midfielder and more striking options as they look to bolster Rohl’s squad for the rest of the season.

December 17, 2025

What matters at the Old Firm: Are modern managers trading determination for data, and steel in favour of statistics?

The days of running up Gullane Beach or receiving a hairdryer to the head are firmly in the past – some may argue justifiably. But have modern managers gone soft? Have they forgotten how to win? And what does this all mean for Scotland’s two biggest clubs. Rangers fans may laugh at the calamitous start to Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic tenure, but they are still bearing the bruises of a similarly bad managerial experiment in Russell Martin. Comparing these two managers isn’t entirely straightforward, one cut his teeth in the highly-competitive world of English Championship football and the other in the up-and-coming MLS in the United States, but there is one area both have displayed a serious lack of understanding that will rightly worry legions of loyal supporters. These managers share a troubling knowledge gap of what these two Glasgow giants are all about. Both have made equally as concerning and mystifying statements in their respective press conferences, and the pair are seemingly incapable of understanding what the key performance indicators are at the Old Firm: winning games, cup progression, and three points. It is a simple concept that both managers have, quite incredibly, managed to complicate. They’ve introduced a modern jargon that previously had no place in the changing rooms of Ibrox or Celtic Park, where grit and questionable language from captains have dominated. It is a jargon that would have never entered the vocabulary of Walter Smith, Sir Alex Ferguson or Martin O’Neill and it is completely unfathomable that these managerial legends would concern themselves with millennial concepts such as “XG” or “Patterns”, their driving motivation was to win the football game at any cost. Wilfried Nancy and Russell Martin have both made statements that have angered more than they’ve appeased, and shown aesthetically-pleasing performances and converting training routines into playing routines take priority over winning games. When did this become the defining factor in either of these two clubs’ seasons? You don’t need to be multilingual to understand the message from the paying-supporters of these clubs, or as Russell Martin once said, “have a foreign sounding name”. It is really quite simple, it doesn’t take an army of scientists, analysts, coaches, or dieticians. It is a fairly straightforward concept that has formed the basis of these two clubs for generations: win. Just win. Win however it takes. Win from the penalty spot in the 96th minute. Win from a VAR decision.

December 17, 2025

Five Players Rangers Should Sign in January

As we continue to push forwards towards the January transfer window things have started to calm for Rangers after the calamitous start to the season under Russell Martin. Since Danny Rohl came in on the 22nd October, Rangers are unbeaten in the league under the German’s stewardship and are looking to close the points gap on Hearts and Celtic above them. It’s indicative that Rangers get their January transfer business right in order to give themselves the best opportunity to do that so recruitment of both quality and in the correct positions is paramount. Here are five players I feel should be on the Rangers shopping list in the most important winter window in many years for the club. Jordy Makengo The 6’3 French left back currently plays for Bundesliga side Freiburg, a market you’d think Rohl would know well being a German native. Left back is a position Rangers will be looking to strengthen considering the only natural left back currently in the first team is 19 year old Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma. Makengo is 24 years old and has an estimated transfer value of around £4 million, he shows great pace and ball carrying skills but his real strengths are his natural defending abilities. Recovery runs, ball interceptions and aerial duels are what make this a shrewd signing for Rangers. A player that reminds me a lot of Calvin Bassey. If he was to sign for Rangers it would be expected of him to increase his attacking output having never registered a senior goal or assist, however with the general drop in quality of opposition between Germany and Scotland I feel he has the ability to do so. Amos Pieper Sticking in Germany, I have picked this 6’4 centre half currently playing for Werder Bremen as I really feel its a market Rohl should exploit. Centre half is another area Rangers desperately need to strengthen with John Souttar and Derek Cornelius out long term and Nasser Djiga going to AFCON very soon, the cover there is again short. Pieper is a classic ball winning centre half winning over 80% of his aerial duels and also excelling in interceptions, but what really makes him stand out is his use of the ball. Pieper enjoys playing long and progressive passes, something that Rohl asks his defenders to do a lot. Pieper plays an average of nine progressive passes per 90 minutes played. With an estimated transfer value of around £2.5 million plus a contract that expires in June 2026 this is a great option that I feel Rangers should be looking at if not in January then in the summer. Jamie Lawrence Moving over the border from Germany to Austria I’ve gone with a goliath 6’7 centre half to further strengthen the centre half options. This German national currently plies his trade for Austrian Bundesliga team WSG Tirol and his transfer value sitting at a steal at around £350,000. As you can imagine he wins a high amount of aerial duels winning just under three quarters of those per 90 minutes. He defends his area incredibly well, excelling in 1v1 situations very rarely being dribbled past and completing an average of six interceptions as well per 90 minutes. Another guy who’s contract is up in the coming summer. I feel he has all the right tools to be taken by Rangers in January but if not a great addition in the summer when his deal in Austria is up. Andy Irving Moving into central midfield I’m always wary of having a good core of Scottish players in my squad for European purposes because of UEFA’s homegrown rules for Euro squads. So I’ve picked out a Scottish player for this one and it’s 25 year old Andy Irving currently of West Ham. He’s had precious little game time at West Ham since moving there in 2023 but has had two spells at Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Klagenfurt which I feel he’s shown enough to prove he’s worth his shot at Rangers. He’s played 59 games in all for Klagenfurt and scored 14 goals and got nine assists, proving himself as a midfielder who is able to score goals and create for teammates at a decent level. He has played an average of eight passes into the opposition final third per 90 minutes played so he has that ability to find wingers or strikers in dangerous positions. Like Pieper and Lawrence his current contract is up in June 2026, his transfer value at around £3 million it is possible to pick him up at cut back price in the summer if not in January. Jonas Wind After the disastrous striker recruitment by Rangers with Chermiti and Miovski, despite Miovski having a recent upturn in form. This is someone who I really feel would do well in a Rangers shirt. The 6’3 Danish international currently at Vfl Wolfsburg has struggled for game time this season but got nine goals and three assists in 33 games last season for Wolfsburg, only 12 starts as well, which considering the level of opposition in Germany, that is a decent return. As you can imagine as a striker of considerable height his main strengths comes from dropping deep linking up play then making runs into the box to score headers or cut back shots. He wins an average of seven aerial duels per 90 minutes of game time and a goal to shot conversion rate of around 25%. However considering he’ll have many more chances and clear cut chances created for him at Rangers I feel this will be considerably higher in a blue jersey. At a transfer value of around £6 million this is a real push for Rangers but I believe if available it’s a no brainer.

December 15, 2025

Kilmarnock 0-3 Rangers: Miovski Double Inspires Rohl’s Rangers to Victory

Kilmarnock 0-3 Rangers Miovski (33′, 54′) Moore (81′) Rangers reclaimed 4th place in the Scottish Premiership after a clinical victory at BBSP Rugby Park, pushing Kilmarnock’s losing run to nine games. The visitors were looking to bounce back from consecutive draws and had the game’s first chance. Miovski headed Connor Barron’s free kick straight at Tobi Oluwayemi in the 7th minute. Rangers continued to grow into the match. Djeidi Gassama latched onto a Mohamed Diomande pass in the 14th minute, but flashed his left-footed strike over the bar from a tight angle. Bruce Anderson raced clear of the Rangers’ backline three minutes later. He lifted the ball over the onrushing Jack Butland, but Connor Barron was on hand to clear off the line. Stuart Kettlewell’s side looked structured in their approach; they limited Rangers in the forward areas for much of the first half, drawing belief from the home faithful. That was until the 32nd minute, thanks to Miovski. The Macedonian striker gathered the ball in a crowded box and squeezed a clever left-footed strike past Oluwayemi, who perhaps could have done better with the poked shot. Anderson flashed a half-volley wide of Butland’s goal four minutes later as the home side looked to respond; however, it had been a frustrating half for Kettlewell’s men. Miovski added his second goal of the game in the 53rd minute. Nicolas Raskin drove at the home defence and fed the striker at the back post. After cutting inside, he drilled a low strike past Oluwayemi at his near post. Anderson smashed a low strike towards goal from a Dom Thompson corner kick in the 64th minute, but Scott Tiffoney could not convert. Butland pushed away a Robbie Deas header from the next corner, as the home side attempted to hit back. Barron misjudged a backpass in the final 15 minutes, but Butland was on hand to clear from Anderson’s path. The goalkeeper took plenty of Anderson in his clearance, but VAR took no further action. Substitute Mikey Moore sealed the three points in the 80th minute. The winger scampered infield after turning away from Lewis Mayo and delivered a composed strike into the bottom corner from the centre of the box. Moore thought he had added Rangers’ fourth moments later, after dinking Oluwayemi from a tight angle. But play was rightly brought back for an Emmanuel Fernandez foul in the buildup. Butland produced a low save to deny Tyrece John-Jules in additional time. The victory moves Rangers back to fourth place and level on points with Motherwell in third. They return to Europa League action against Ferencvárosi on Thursday evening. Kilmarnock: Oluwayemi 5 Brown 6 Mayo 5 Deas 5 Thompson 6 Kiltie 6 Polworth 6 Watson 7 Tiffoney 5 Anderson 6 Dackers 7 Substitutes: Lowery 6 John-Jules 6 Brannan 5 Rangers: Butland 7 Aarons 7 Djiga 7 Fernandez 7 Meghoma 7 Raskin 8 Barron 8 Diomande 7 Gassama 7 Miovski 8 Bajrami 6 Substitutes: Curtis 6 Danilo 6 Tavernier 6 Chermiti 6 Moore 7

December 6, 2025

Rangers