Rangers

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Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson is expecting "lots of twists and turns" in the title race but says Danny Rohl's "terrific" work has cemented the Ibrox club as strong contenders.

Rohl has picked up 32 points from a possible 39 since taking the helm in October to guide Rangers above Celtic and within three points of leaders Hearts having played a game more.

"I think there's a title race," Thomson told BBC Scotland.

"At one point under Russell Martin I think people wrote Rangers off. Hearts have had a brilliant season and certainly don't look like they're stopping.

"Most people would have thought Rangers were dead and buried, that's just the harsh reality of where they were at.

"So to go on the run that they've been on, that defeat at Tynecastle [21 December] has probably been the one setback they've had.

"The group have stayed quiet, gone under the radar a little bit, but you can't write Celtic off either.

"There's going to be lots of twists and turns but I think the job Danny Rohl has done is terrific."

Having inherited Russell Martin's squad, Rohl now has a chance to put his own stamp on the club in the January window.

"I'll be intrigued to see how his style adapts over the coming weeks," Thomson added.

"Because if he can spend money on players that suit him more than the previous manager it'll be interesting to see how he progresses the team."

We asked for your views on what business Rangers should do in the January transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Drew: Rangers need a centre forward that knows his way to goal and can provide some experience to the younger players. Callum Wilson would be a good fit considering his record and his current status with West Ham, it's an opportunity for Rangers to bring in experience and goals.

Sonny: Terminate Nasser Djiga and Max Aarons loan deals and signing a permanent commanding centre-back and left-back should be priorities. Sell Joe Rothwell, Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Danilo and look to bring in replacements who'll put in more effort than they do.

Ronnie: Rangers still need to sign an out-and-out goalscorer despite Youssef Chermiti showing signs that he may come good. Both Bojan Miovski and Danilo are not the answer. A quality full-back is also needed.

Alan: Rangers desperately need to strengthen the spine of the team and add some experience to a young squad. A ball-playing six that will allow Nico Raskin a more attacking role, an experienced left-back and a proven goalscorer are the bare minimum. Add an experienced central defender and I would be very happy.

Ross: This might be a leftfield view, but I don't think there are any major concerns in this squad. Sure, I have moaned about Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard, Chermiti and many others all season, but they have all hit a sudden vein of form and now look like reasonable players. A replacement for Mo Diomande should probably be the highest priority now, he seems like a weaker link and a shadow of the playmaker we signed two years ago.

Jeff: Rangers need to strengthen but also we need to sell players who we are paying for doing nothing. We need a left-back, central defender another holding midfielder, winger(s), striker.

Sally: Right-back, left-back, centre-back, right winger and a proven goalscorer.

Chris: A good central defender that is not injury prone. A left full-back and a 20-goal striker. Funny we had those before Kevin Thelwell, Russell Martin & Co arrived. Obviously we need a clearout of all the dross they bought but I can't see anyone paying money for any of these poor quality players.

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Former Hearts and Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson has highlighted the tactical change Danny Rohl has implement to steer Rangers away from the "critical" defensive errors that plagued them earlier in the season.

When Rohl took over from Russell Martin, Rangers had picked up just one victory in their opening seven league games.

Under the German, Rangers have 10 wins and one defeat from 13 league outings while conceding just eight goals.

"I think you have short periods where your xG might be very high but you're actually not putting the ball in the net but generally over the course of a season it balances itself out," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"Rangers' issue was that, defensively, critical errors were high which means they were losing the ball in poor areas and trying to play in poor areas. They've stopped that quite a bit.

"They're playing a little bit more direct but having less passes in their defensive third, which means there's less chance for error, and then they're just becoming a lot more solid defensively.

"It's been an interesting change. I don't think it's been huge tactical change in possession. It's been more tactical out of possession."

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• Since Danny Rohl joined the club in October, Rangers have the most wins (10), points (32), and goals (24) of any Scottish Premiership side, while only Motherwell have conceded fewer goals (4) in the competition than the Ibrox club (8) in this time.

• Aberdeen have lost their past three league matches, all without scoring, but haven't lost four in a row without finding the net since December 2010.

• After only winning five of their opening 14 league games of the season (D8 L1), Rangers have since won six of their past seven (L1), and are looking to win five successive Premiership matches for the first time since February 2025.

• This will be the second Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers this week. It's the first time both sides have faced the same opponent consecutively in the league within a single season since April/May 2023, when they also faced each other twice in a row.

• Rangers have won their past two league meetings with Aberdeen by an aggregate score of 6-0, but haven't won three in a row without conceding against the Dons in the top flight since August 2011.

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Rangers are closing in on a £4m deal for Sturm Graz and Denmark Under-21 midfielder Tochi Chukwuani. (Daily Record), external

Rangers have made their move for Belgium Under-21 left-back Tuur Rommens, with Westerlo considering a bid in the region of £3m. (Daily Record), external

Club Brugge have registered interest in Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama, while Spanish side Villarreal are also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who moved to Ibrox over the summer. (Rudy Galetti on X), external

St Mirren vice-chairman Jim Gillespie is a leading contender to become Rangers' new chief executive. (Sky Sports), external

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Midfielder Nico Raskin sees no reason why Rangers can't win the Premiership title this season after continuing their revival by moving second.

Danny Rohl's men leapfrogged Celtic following a 2-0 victory at home to Aberdeen and are three points clear of their city rivals and three behind the leaders, albeit having played a game more.

"Well, we came back from a long way so if we can do that and if we can keep going, why not?" the Belgium international said.

"I don't think there's been one turning point.

"The fact we started to get some results and win a bit more and also the fact the other teams lost points, everything together makes us where we are now, so it's just trying to keep the momentum going and see where we end up.

"Football goes quick in every sense, so right now we're enjoying it because we're getting closer to the top.

"[We] remember how many bad comments we had after the Hearts game [2-1 defeat on December 21]. It goes really quick so now we just need to keep calm."

Rangers come up against the Dons again this weekend when they travel to Pittodrie as they look for their fifth victory in a row.

Raskin, who headed the second goal on Tuesday night, said: "It's not been a great start for a lot of the boys for different reasons.

"But since the manager came, he has tried to insist on the basics, do the basics right on the pitch, be together and then the quality is going to show up, and that's what we try to do as much as we can.

"I think the team is looking really good together. We have a great spirit and obviously it helps when you win games.

"You win games, you get closer to the top, so we all look in the same direction together and we just enjoy winning games, we try to give the fans a bit of pleasure.

"It's going to be a very different game up in Aberdeen, so we just take it game by game and try to do our best."

Danny Rohl is seeking signings in his first transfer window with Rangers as they try to chase down league leaders Hearts.

The club spent big last summer, but need to get recruitment right this time.

What positions need strengthened? And who would you like to see Rangers bring in?

Send us your thoughts here.

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Rangers boss Danny Rohl feels his team have "surprised a lot of people" with their upturn in form since he took charge.

The Ibrox club are up to second in the Premiership - three points behind Hearts, albeit having played a game more - after beating managerless Aberdeen 2-0 to make it four successive wins for the first time in over a year.

When Rohl took over in October, Rangers were sixth, eight points behind Celtic and 13 adrift of Hearts. The German has overseen 10 wins, two draws and one defeat in his 13 league matches.

"I have a fantastic coaching team, it's not a one-man show," the former Sheffield Wednesday boss said.

"We're doing this together with the club, with my players, with the coaches, with the staff behind the coaches, I think we're growing together.

"I don't know, I think we are on a fantastic way, I think we surprised a lot of people since I came here.

"But for me it's about the next, I'm hungry, I'm ambitious, I know what it means and what effort we need until the end of the season."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers supporters could be forgiven for starting to get just a little bit excited about what this season might bring after a fourth consecutive league win last night took them to within three points of the summit.

It was a dominant performance and while not without its flaws, a swagger has begun to return to their play and for the first time in a long time players look like they are enjoying their football.

Nicolas Raskin, in particular, looks much closer to the top of his game, dictating play from the middle of the park and with a bit of good fortune he could have had a hat-trick against Aberdeen.

As it was, he had to settle for one - the beneficiary, like Emmanuel Fernandez before him, of a good delivery from Connor Barron and some hard work, no doubt, on the training ground with set-piece coach Scott Fry.

Rangers have struggled to score from open play at times this season and so an ability to convert dead-ball situations into goals has become all the more important as they have clawed their way back into title contention.

Rangers have scored the third-most goals from set-pieces in the league - 12 to Dundee United's 13 and Hearts' 16. But since Fry was appointed in mid-November, they have scored more than anyone - seven compared with six by United and five by Hearts.

Rangers' tally midway through the season is already just one behind the 13 they scored from such situations in each of the past two campaigns. If they can maintain this improved ratio, it will be a huge boost to their title prospects.

Nonetheless, no one watching that game, least of all Danny Rohl, will believe they are anywhere near the finished article and January reinforcements are a must.

Aberdeen could conceivably have won the game had they taken some of the clear-cut chances that came their way and despite a good defensive record this season, Rohl must be alarmed by the way Rangers can still be pretty easily carved open.

But if Rangers can strengthen in the right areas during this window Rohl has shown he can get results - no one has more points in the league since he took over - and suddenly the prospect of challenging for the title is not a fanciful one.

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers moved up to second in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 win against Aberdeen at Ibrox.

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

Grant: Rangers controlled the game. However, Aberdeen had a few moments where they could have nicked a couple. Bojan Miovski is dire and Thelo Aasgaard very negative in possession. That all said we are in the race, a big game on Sunday, three points away to Aberdeen would be massive.

Allan: A solid performance and justification for hiring a set-piece coach. Midfield were very good, and Emmanuel Fernandez was defensively good at times, but he needs to get his passes out of defence quicker and more accurate. He will cost Rangers goals if he continues to carry on like he currently is.

David: Hard to accurately rate our performance against such a submissive opponent, game a bit flat and very one-sided as a result. Any chances Aberdeen had were more the result of our carelessness in possession or ongoing issues with long balls over the top. Good to see us moving the ball around well and we put together some excellent moves. Connor Barron excellent once again.

William: Was at the game last night against Aberdeen. It looked a different Rangers team from the ones I've been watching recently, passing was great and if they play like that every game no one is beating them.

Louise: Another decent win under Danny Rohl. It is incredible what he has done for this team and the belief he is instilling in the players is definitely showing in our performance which is steadily improving. Connor Barron was everywhere once again and two great headers to give us a comfortable lead. I don't think many Rangers fans thought we would be sitting second at the start of the new year a few months ago. Rohl must be able to add to his squad in January and continue to strengthen the team.

Steven: This game was about getting the three points and in the end, it was comfortable without being spectacular or easy on the eye at times. Despite his goals, Fernandez continues to worry me and in Rohl's defence, he's probably playing due to others being injured. Midfield looks solid without being dynamic but winning games and building up a head of steam is what it's all about until the end of the season.

Watch the best of the action as Rangers ease past managerless Aberdeen to leapfrog Celtic and move up to second in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

Nico Raskin credits Rangers captain James Tavernier's influence after scoring the Ibrox side's second in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Aberdeen. (Herald - subscription required), external

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl praises the impact of set piece coach Scott Fry. (Sun), external

Rohl "can't say who will be in the squad by the end of the window" as Rangers do not know "if we can do everything we want" with transfers in January. (Record), external

Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, 37, is in talks to join Livingston. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "Fantastic, three points, clean sheet. All in all, very proud of the group at the moment.

"We close the gap to just three points from 13 when I arrived. It's a statement but still not what we want. We're on a journey, it's about the next game on Sunday.

"When I took over two years ago at Sheffield Wednesday we were 12, 13 points under the line. In the end we survived. In football, everything is possible.

"It's about small steps, belief, bringing confidence back and trusting the players. At the moment we're in a good way but have a lot of things to do."

Rohl says Mikey Moore suffered a muscle problem but hopes it's not serious.

He also suggests strengthening midfield is a priority in the transfer window.

Rangers strolled to victory over dismal and managerless Aberdeen to move above Celtic and just three points behind leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

What did you make of Rangers' performance?

As Rangers and Aberdeen prepare to go head to head at Ibrox tonight, relive a classic meeting between the sides - a 3-3 draw in 1997.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

What a great start to the new year.

Coming from behind to win is always nice, but the 3-1 derby victory at Parkhead provided an extra level of satisfaction.

The level of both managers was shown in a game of two halves. First half, Rangers were a mess, lacked control and belief, and if it wasn't for Jack Butland we would have been more than one behind at the break.

However, Danny Rohl deserves credit for changing shape, going with Nicolas Raskin, Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande in midfield and wrestling control of the game away from Celtic.

It's not our fault Celtic are terrible at the back, that's on their players and former manager. However, for Youssef Chermiti to finally show what he's all about with two goals and a Daniel Cousin-esque performance was in keeping with the bonkers season so far.

And by the time Mikey Moore made it 3-1, you knew Celtic were done for and the three points were in the bag.

As poor as Rangers were in the first half, the second half was superb, full of energy and aggression on and off the ball and three superb goals.

The challenge for Rangers now is to back up this result with a victory against Aberdeen, and the board have to do their bit and back the manager in the transfer window.

Hopefully the derby success will prove a massive win in terms of mentality for this squad.

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• Rangers have only lost their first home league game in one of the past 40 calendar years (W33 D6), going down 2-0 to Celtic in 2011. The Ibrox club have won the past five occasions their first such match of a year has been against Aberdeen, each without conceding.

• Rangers have won seven of their past eight home games against Aberdeen in all competitions, including their latest four in a row since a 3-1 reverse in September 2023.

• Aberdeen have only won one of their past six league meetings with Rangers (D2 L3), and could lose back-to-back Scottish Premiership clashes with them for the first time since December 2022 (three in a row).

• After only winning two of their first seven home league games of this season (D4 L1), Rangers have since won their past three at Ibrox.

• Aberdeen have only won one of their last 11 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D2 L8), a 1-0 victory away to Kilmarnock in October.

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Rangers defender Nasser Djiga is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Derek Cornelius, Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman remain out with muscle injuries.

Aberdeen have a fitness doubt over Adil Aouchiche and are still missing defenders Gavin Molloy and Kristers Tobers with knee injuries.

Rangers "are working on some things" in the transfer market, says head coach Danny Rohl. (Glasgow Times), external

Colombian winger Oscar Cortes, 22, is close to ending his loan spell at Sporting Gijon from Rangers so he can move to Huracan in Argentina. (El Comercio - in Spanish), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip