Rangers

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers' involvement in the Champions League qualifiers begins 11 weeks from now and as Barry Ferguson noted in the aftermath of Sunday's draw with Celtic, there is much to be done at the club to prepare them for those.

With three games to come next week to conclude a largely wretched season (some impressive European performances and results notwithstanding), Rangers fans will hope the much-vaunted takeover is concluded and announced swiftly thereafter.

One would think that those involved would already have a plan in place regarding a permanent manager to lead the club, perhaps someone who has already been having conversations with incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell, technical director Nils Koppen and chief executive Patrick Stewart about the make-up of next season's squad.

It seems inevitable there will be a high degree of activity both in and out in that regard, but Rangers will once again face the prospect of trying to move on players for a decent fee who have largely underachieved.

There has been a great deal of talk about moving to a transfer policy where they buy low and sell high, but short of cashing in on Nico Raskin and perhaps Hamza Igamane, few of the current squad will be worth more now than when they arrived.

There will also be departures for free – Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence are among those out of contract and so while there will be a saving on their wages, the fact Rangers will not receive a fee is another damning indictment of the way business has been conducted.

Sure, there will be fresh investment, but financial fair play rules and the swingeing losses incurred at Ibrox in recent years mean they will be unable to throw ridiculous amounts of money around in the next transfer window.

All that said, the takeover – if and when it happens – does allow Rangers supporters to believe that maybe they will be celebrating title number 56 this time next year rather than their rivals across the city.

Rangers manager Barry Ferguson says Oscar Cortes and Danilo need to do more to get more first team minutes. (Herald - subscription required), external

Ex-Ibrox forward Peter Lovenkrands would not expect Rangers' prospective new owners to spend big straight away, should they complete their expected takeover this summer. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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"People have got opinions, but I know I can do the job."

Interim manager Barry Ferguson still has belief he can lead Rangers into next season, but is the damage to his hopes beyond repair?

Sunday's Old Firm draw with Celtic means Ferguson has taken four points from two games against the Scottish champions, which certainly favours the former Ibrox captain.

So, too, does the Europa League last-16 triumph over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. But, away from that, Ferguson's reign has been far from convincing.

Across 12 matches in charge following the exit of Philippe Clement, Rangers have won just four times, lost four and also drawn four.

They have conceded at least two goals in nine of those fixtures, shipping 21 overall and scoring 20. There has been just one clean sheet.

Currently, they are also without a victory since the end of March and are on a six-game winless run.

With their final three fixtures of the season coming against Europe-chasing Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hibernian, improving that form won't be easy.

Ferguson is also yet to lead Rangers to a home victory, having failed to win five games at Ibrox, with Sunday's draw meaning the Govan club set an wanted club record of seven straight winless home games.

While the caretaker boss has shown he is capable of getting big results in big games, the doubts that remain over his ability to lead the team in fixtures where there is expectancy on the side may weigh too heavily.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Let's start with the positives from Sunday, shall we?

Rangers were very good for 45 minutes and scored a lovely goal on the transition. In fact, you could argue we could have gone in further ahead as we hit the bar from a Leon Balogun header.

In the midfield, Nico Raskin and Mo Diomande were excellent. And, as poor as this Rangers team is, it can certainly hold its own against this Celtic side, who will no doubt go on and win the treble. It's hardly a positive but with the season being as bad as it has been, I'm reaching.

The negatives, of course, were not winning at home again, a mistake for Adam Idah's goal from John Souttar, and the fact every change Barry Ferguson made seemed to disrupt the side in the second half.

We just couldn't get going after the break and allowed Celtic to take control.

Overall the game was all about effort and endeavour without any real quality from both sides. And I'll say it again, it's one match closer to the final whistle at Easter Road on 17 May.

The only question remaining this season is: will Ferguson win at Ibrox as Rangers manager? There are two games left for him to try to achieve that.

It would be nice for him to win both, starting with the visit of Aberdeen on Sunday, and for Rangers to go away in the summer and put this season well behind them.

From my perspective, it's been like a season of death by 1,000 cuts. Hopefully soon we will get confirmation of the takeover and a new manager to bring in the new era.

Rangers and Leeds United are linked with a bid for Mali winger Moussa Djenepo, with the 26-year-old currently on loan at Turkish club Antalyaspor from Standard Liege in Belgium. (Africa Foot, external - in French), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

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"I think if two years ago, the day I signed, you would tell the fans, 'this striker is going to score 47 goals in two seasons', I think everybody would have said, 'oh, yes, please'."

Cyriel Dessers hasn't always felt that love, though.

Despite racking up the goals across the past two years, the striker has been much maligned by sections of the Rangers support.

Fresh from opening the scoring at Ibrox in the last Old Firm derby of the campaign with his 25th goal of the season, the forward says he has "moved past" being irked by criticism from fans.

"It hurt me a lot in the beginning," he recalled. "But now I have kind of moved past that and I'm just focusing on myself and helping the team out.

"In a team with a lot of ups and downs, to score 25 goals, I think that's a good achievement and I'm proud of that."

Dessers said seeing long-serving captain James Tavernier continue to be heavily criticised has helped him accept he will always struggle to win over sections of the club's fanbase.

"There was a point where I wished I could turn [the negative perception] around," he added.

"But when I see the criticism somebody like Tav sometimes gets with the things he achieved at this club, then I think it's always going to be there, which is okay.

"It's part of being at a big club like Rangers. You can feel the hurt in the fans and they always want more and better, but that's also what we want as players.

"I know it's not always easy, but we all want to go in the same direction together with the fans."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Rangers were denied a third straight victory over Celtic in Sunday's Old Firm draw, but it was nearly a defeat for Barry Ferguson's side as a late save was required to deny the relentless Daizen Maeda.

For that reason, Rangers shotstopper Liam Kelly is in my team of the week. Denying Maeda at the death was one of a few telling saves he made.

There's also a spot for Nico Raskin, who has an almost Steven Naismith-esque ability to be a real threat in the air despite not being the tallest.

The midfielder was unfortunate to be offside as his early effort hit the back of the net. Rangers' best player in the Old Firm derby.

We asked for your views on Rangers' Old Firm draw with Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Michael: Number one priority this summer is tying Nicolas Raskin down to a long-term deal. Head and shoulders above everyone else on Sunday and a constant bright light in an otherwise shocker of a season. Number two priority would be to teach certain defenders to clear their lines first and think second (John Souttar). Bring on this takeover and let's begin this monumental rebuild, a lot of deadwood/imposters in the squad needing moved on.

Fraser: For me it was a game of two halves, we let Celtic dominate the second half. Raskin was outstanding and Leon Balogun was solid in defence, and Cyriel Dessers finally scored against Celtic. I don't know if Barry Ferguson can attract the quality of player that Rangers need. For me it has to be Jose Mourinho.

Barry: Have to move on. Ferguson should be a coach or even assistant but can't seriously consider him for the job. Woefully short of quality. Sell Ridvan Yilmaz, Robin Propper, Jefte, Nedim Bajrami, Dessers, Igamane, Raskin and get some quality in. The only quality these guys have is market value for the next wave. Woeful. Turn up for every Old firm game and European fixtures but can't beat Hibs, St Mirren, Aberdeen etc.

Stephen: Failure to kill them off cost us dear. As for giving Ferguson the job full time? No.

Kevin: Dominated the first half and should have been at least two goals up. Gave away a soft goal but still had the better chances. Showed we can go toe to toe with them but need to get rid of the deadwood and hopefully we can get the takeover done ASAP. Not as big a gap with as people think.

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• Rangers have failed to win in their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 1 February 2017 to 24 February 2017.

• Celtic have scored in 32 of their 35 games, more often than any other team in the Scottish Premiership.

• Daizen Maeda has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (one goal, three assists).

• Maeda has also now assisted 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

• Cyriel Dessers has scored 14 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Rangers player.

• Mohammed Diomande has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Rangers player has more.

Celtic came from behind to deny Rangers a third straight victory over their rivals as Adam Idah's second-half strike frustrated Barry Ferguson's side in the Scottish Premiership.

Nicolas Raskin had an earlier header ruled out for offside before Cyriel Dessers netted his 25th goal of the season just before half-time, only for Republic of Ireland international Idah to pounce.

The draw means Rangers have failed to win at Ibrox for the seventh straight fixture, an unwelcome record that has never happened before.

What did you make of that, Rangers fans? Did anyone impress you out there?

And will that result have any bearing on Barry Ferguson's Rangers future? Do you think he's done enough to earn a crack at the job permanently?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson is "a bit disappointed we didn't come away with three points" after the draw with Scottish champions Celtic.

"The commitment from my players was what I asked for, really good," he tells BBC Scotland.

"Scored a good goal, went in at half-time deserving of the lead. We know Celtic are going to come out second half, but we weathered the storm really well.

"I just spoke to the players that we countered really well, it was just that bit of quality in the end that we need to be better at. The boys hold their hands up, they know that. Next week in training, it's something we have to work on.

"The mentality is there, it's just making sure you bring that sort of mentality on a consistent basis. It's something we've not been able to do this season. It's something we know we need to get better at."

As for his prospects of holding on to the head coach role permanently, Ferguson adds: "It needs to get sorted out as quickly as possible because a lot of people need to know what's going on. I've been pretty open about that. The changes are starting to happen.

"The quicker we sort what's going on in terms of next season, the better, because the season is just round the corner. Before you know it, you're in pre-season. There's a lot of work to be done.

"I've been written off all my life, in terms of my playing career. People have got opinions and that's totally up to them, but I know I can do the job - we just need to wait and see.

"When I got the opportunity, I grabbed it with both hands. I've really enjoyed it. There's been bumps, that's part of management, but it's not scared me one single bit."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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After six home games without a win, a seventh - against city rivals Celtic - was unthinkable for Rangers, especially after conceding the Scottish title so tamely.

One goal in those six is incredibly poor. That may have been the spark for a quick start in which Leon Balogun was close to an immediate opener.

On the big occasions this season, Rangers have often found a higher level of performance and loosley dropped points and trophy opportunities elsewhere.

They produced another one here but could not see it through to deliver a little more respite for their suffering supporters.

For interim head coach Barry Ferguson, it must have seemed likely that this would be his last chance to put one over on Celtic as the man in charge. He could not quite get there but will likely feel his side performed well over the piece.

It is a season Rangers just want done with, with hope of better times ahead on the horizon once the takeover of the club is finalised.

Mohamed Diomande, 23, admits there's going to be "a lot of regret" at Rangers come the end of the season. (Herald - subscription required), external

Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack backs Steven Gerrard to return as Ibrox manager. (Record), external

Gerrard, 44, is the leading candidate for the Rangers vacancy. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers defender Leon Balogun has trained with a mask after a minor operation on a cracked cheekbone. Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling (Achilles) are out for the season while Tom Lawrence remains out. Neraysho Kasanwirjo has recovered from a knee problem and played in the Glasgow Cup final against Celtic during the week.

Celtic have lost Jota to a serious knee injury and Dane Murray is also out for the season with a knee problem. Alistair Johnston (hip) also drops out but Yang Hyun-jun could return and Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn are expected to shake off knocks. Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) is still out.

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Mohamed Diomande says there's going to be "a lot of regret" in the Rangers dressing room following the conclusion of another trophyless season.

They come up against their Glasgow rivals Celtic on Sunday, a week after Brendan Rodgers' side secured the Premiership title at Tannadice to make it 13 league titles in the last 14 seasons.

Rangers have won the previous two meetings between the two this term and regardless of Sunday's outcome, Diomande says there's still a lot of disappointment about how the season has panned out.

"We've won two games against them, it's in the other games that we have struggled," the midfielder said.

"I don't see any problem for Sunday, I know we are going to be ready for this game. I know that's something that happens every time we play against Celtic.

"I don't want to look back at the season already with four games still to go, but looking back I know there's going to be a lot of regret from a lot of us.

"We thought we could push in the other games. We know we'll be ready for this game. Our fans want us to beat them and we'll be trying to do that.

"Speaking for myself personally, I know I'm going to be hard on myself. And I've been hard on myself a lot of times. That's what I feel. I don't know what other players are feeling."

Diomande scored in the 3-2 victory at Parkhead in March and is looking to help the Light Blues register three league wins over Celtic in the same season for the first time since 2020/21.

"It's always nice to score against your direct rivals and I was happy to score against them," he added.

"The win was important. We always want to beat them. We know the rivalry is from a long time ago.

"We know what it means to the fans who come to support us. For a long time they couldn't come to support us at Parkhead. It was good to get that win for them.

"It's going to mean something to our fans. I know they have already won the league. But we still want to win our games and we want to win at Ibrox again."