Rangers

Liam Kelly aims to help "create special memories" for Rangers fans after prolonging his Ibrox stint with a new two-year deal.

The Scotland goalkeeper, 30, featured just three times last season for Rangers, where he is back-up to Jack Butland.

Are you pleased Kelly is staying put at Ibrox? And can he oust Butland to become number one?

Let us know here.

Image source, PA Media

Kris Doolan believes Scotland head coach Steve Clarke's first priority is to "protect the herd".

A training-ground friendly with Norway on Monday was cancelled, with Clarke saying "it wasn't worth the risk". Norway head coach Stale Solbakken said Clarke was "unprofessional".

"This happens at club level a lot if they're arranging behind closed doors games," former Partick Thistle manager Doolan told the BBC's latest Scottish Football Podcast.

"Things change, plans change, things within the squad. The manager's job is to protect the herd. That's what Steve Clarke's doing."

Meanwhile, Doolan believes Lawrence Shankland should start Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti on Sunday after three goals in his past two international appearances.

Rangers' latest signing opened the scoring in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, with Che Adams netting twice. Lyndon Dykes set up one of Shankland's goals in the 4-1 defeat of Curacao and George Hirst is also in the World Cup squad.

"He doesn't want four strikers all the same and I think he's chosen well," former striker Doolan said of head coach Clarke.

"The two boys, Shankland and Che Adams, to use a phrase, they've timed their run well because they've just scored the goals. That's got everybody wanting them to play together.

"They've showed that they can play together. I think they're the two we'll start with. I believe it's Shankland and A.N other. We only have to create one or two really good chances and he's the guy who can finish."

Rangers winger Ross McCausland, 23, is attracting interest from FC Thun, other European clubs and the United States. (Record - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, PA Media

It would be a big surprise if Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams did not start up front together in Scotland's opening group game at the World Cup, according to former international striker Kenny Miller.

Striker Shankland, who has joined Rangers from Hearts this summer, scored one and provided an assist before Torino's Adams scored a double in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia as head coach Steve Clarke adopted a 4-4-2 formation again after the 4-1 defeat of Curacao.

"I would be very surprised - he has played that formation for these two preparation games - if he doesn't stick with it for the opener," Miller told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast.

"It makes sense and he's looked at a couple of different combinations within that.

"I think the performance on Saturday with Lawrence and Che - and the fact they were both on the scoresheet - means I would be very surprised if it wasn't those two against Haiti.

"What I will say is that there are a lot of good players in the attacking positions for Scotland. You have Lyndon Dykes, who's has been a big Steve Clarke favourite over the years, and with [George] Hirst and [Ross] Stewart coming into the squad as well, there's a lot of options.

"However, the season Lawrence has had as well, he is our best chance for goals. When chances come along, he is very clinical and he's off the back of a wonderful season."

The two friendly wins have strengthened Miller's belief that they can "make history" by becoming the first Scotland side to progress to the knock-out stages of a major tournament but believes Clarke might revert to one striker for the perceived harder tasks to come against Morocco and Brazil.

"You might see a number of formations during the course of the three group games," he added.

"He could revert to a back three/back five for the second or third game. There is a lot of flexibility within the squad."

Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Galatasaray are among the clubs interested in 22-year-old Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti. (Rudy Galetti on X), external

The NXT Level Lab coaching centre in Marbella, Spain, says 19-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice is there to build-up his fitness to prepare for pre-season with Rangers, where he is out of contract this summer amid interest from the likes of Ajax and Aston Villa. (The National), external

Rangers-linked striker Joe Gelhardt will hold talks with Leeds United about his future after the 24-year-old returned from his loan to Hull City. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles is concentrating on representing Northern Ireland and having a summer break amid reports of Rangers interest in the 20-year-old. (Belfast Telegraph), external

Coventry City have submitted a club record £20m bid for Carl Rushworth, the 24-year-old goalkeeper who helped them win the Championship title on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and who was lined up for a move to Rangers last summer. (Daily Record), external

Russell Martin is preparing to raid Rangers for sports science chief Rhys Owen should the former Ibrox head coach be appointed Leicester City manager. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Reuters

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has been backed to prove a "revelation" at Rangers.

Tony Docherty, who was Aberdeen assistant when Shankland struggled to make the breakthrough at Pittodrie as a youngster, told BBC Sportsound: "He has just continually got better and better, not just as a footballer but as a person.

"His role as Hearts captain last season was integral to their success.

"His link-up play has improved, as has his all-round confidence. I think he'll be an absolute revelation for Rangers. It's a marquee signing."

Shankland heads into the World Cup on a high after netting in both of Scotland's warm-up friendlies, nodding the opener against Bolivia on Saturday night after his double against Caracao.

Former Scotland defender and St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson believes the 30-year-old will be a "great fit" at Ibrox after making the switch from Tynecastle.

"He's just such a good finisher, he can score from anywhere as he showed at Hearts. He has improved as he's got older as well, he understands different aspects of the game," Davidson said.

"He's a great fit for Rangers as they have most of the possession in games. If the ball comes in the box, you know he'll be in the right area. Some of his finishes look really easy, but they're actually really difficult and he's the only player in Scotland who can do that.

"Hearts did really well to keep him for another year. I understand the Hearts fans' frustration over the clause in his contract but he was brilliant and gave everything to the cause.

"Now he'll be wanting to win titles for Rangers. And the big job for Hearts is to replace him. They might have to adapt their style of play, go with someone more physical up front and two pacy wingers."

Youssef Chermiti is one of the names on Galatasaray's list of possible signings, but Rangers will demand £25m for the 22-year-old striker. (Sergan Dag on X), external

Hammarby sports director Mikael Hjelmberg says there has been no approach by Rangers or any other club for Hampus Skoglund despite reports of interest from the Ibrox club and others from Germany, Italy and France in the 22-year-old right-back. (The Herald), external

Leicester City are in advanced talks with Russell Martin to take over as manager following their relegation to League One, but the former Rangers head coach has other options in the UK and abroad. (TalkSport), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin scored as Belgium finished their World Cup preparations with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Tunisia in Brussels.

Raskin swept home a first-time shot from the edge of the box for Belgium's fifth after goals from Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere, Napoli midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and Benfica's Dodi Lukebakio.

Tunisia also had Ismael Gharbi sent off in the closing stages.

Belgium start their Group G campaign against Egypt on 15 June, before matches against Iran and New Zealand.

Rangers have intensified their interest in Hammarby's Swedish right-back Hampus Skoglund, 22. (TeamTalk), external

Basel have had two offers turned down for Zalaegerszegi TE's Akpe Victory, the 19-year-old defender who has also been linked with Rangers among others. (Ben Jacobs on X), external

Forward Lawrence Shankland, 30, wanted a quick move from Hearts to Rangers so he would not be distracted while at the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external

Former Rangers left-back Jefte believes the manager who brought him to Ibrox, Philippe Clement, deserved a bigger chance in Glasgow. (Glasgow Times), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Lawrence Shankland says completing a "dream" move to Rangers has provided the ideal boost as he looks to sparkle for Scotland at the World Cup.

The 30-year-old striker ended his goal-laden Hearts career by making a surprise switch to Ibrox last week before netting a double in Scotland's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.

In a Scottish FA interview in America before Saturday's friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey, Shankland said: "Obviously I finished the season pretty strong, so confidence was already high.

"To join my boyhood club, somewhere that I've always had a dream to play, and to get that opportunity, especially in the later stages of your career, I'm just happy and excited to get that opportunity.

"It can give you that wee boost and hopefully it does going into these games."

Shankland's transfer had to be hastily concluded before he joined up with the Scotland camp last week.

"Obviously, I was due to meet up with Scotland on the Tuesday but I had to delay to the Wednesday for my medicals and stuff," he said. "I felt like it was pretty important for me to get it done before I came here.

"I think when you come to a World Cup, you want to enjoy that experience. I don't think I wanted anything hanging over my head with my club football so I was quite keen to get things wrapped up.

"Obviously, it was a big decision for me, leaving Hearts. It's a great club. I've got a lot of good times and good memories there. But the opportunity to go and join Rangers is one that I couldn't really turn down.

"As I said, it was just important that I got that sorted before I came here. Then, full focus on the World Cup."

Shankland admitted he has allowed himself to dream of scoring at the World Cup. "I think everybody will," he said. "Everybody will aim to leave their stamp here.

"As a striker, that's what you're judged on so of course I'd love to get on the scoresheet at the World Cup. But as long as the team's winning and I'm playing my part that way, I'd be happy as well."

Shankland revealed a gift from skipper Andy Robertson reaffirmed how big a deal it is to represent Scotland at a World Cup.

"Andy actually left us a wee letter the other night and gave us a couple of wee gifts to say well done for being in the squad, etc," he said.

"The numbers on that, when he put the significance of how many people there are and how little people are in this squad, it was huge. That added to the importance of it."

Paraag Marathe remains "very, very involved" at Rangers, despite stepping down as vice-chairman and suggests there will be opportunities for players to move between Leeds United and Rangers, with both clubs in the 49ers Enterprises' stable. (Yorkshire Evening Post), external

Former Rangers captain and manager Barry Ferguson is eager to see how Findlay Curtis, 19, develops at Ibrox next season. (Record - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Former striker Gordon Durie is upbeat about Rangers' title chances next season after the club landed the "best finisher in Scotland" by luring Lawrence Shankland from Hearts.

"He'll be massive. It's been a long time coming, there's been a lot of rumours over the past couple of years about him joining," Durie told Sky Sports.

"He's here now and I think he's probably the best finisher in Scotland.

"He knows the Scottish game inside out and I'm sure he'll be a fantastic signing for Rangers."

Shankland is Rangers' only summer arrival so far, but Durie expects plenty more to follow as Danny Rohl reshapes the squad whose title bid imploded post-split last season with four straight defeats.

"Very optimistic [about Rangers' title chances]," said the 60-year-old ex-Ibrox and Scotland forward.

"Until the last five games they were there or thereabouts, didn't finish the season too well.

"Obviously Danny Rohl is going to have his first pre-season, bring in his own players, so it's a hugely important summer for him and the club. Hopefully he brings in a few."

Image source, SNS

Rangers and Scotland defender John Souttar recalled a "scary" experience as he joined the Scottish Sports Concussion Advisory Group.

The former Dundee United and Hearts centre-back has joined former Scotland rugby international Geoff Cross and Olympic cyclist Neah Evans as athlete ambassadors to help contribute to the education and awareness programme.

Souttar spent a night in hospital in 2017 after suffering a head injury while playing for Scotland Under-21s against Latvia.

"My own experience was a bit scary," he said. "I thought I'd been stretchered off but I've since seen pictures of me walking off the pitch.

"My return was very carefully managed and the doctors were great, checking on my symptoms and taking me through the process step by step.

"This cause deserves a powerful voice at every level. As ambassador, the focus must be on grassroots awareness, where the real difference is made."

Statistics suggest half of sports concussions go unreported and young people aged 10-19 are most affected.

The education programme arose from activism by Peter Robinson, whose 14-year-old son Ben died after suffering an injury during a school rugby match.

Co-chair of the group Dr Stephanie Adams said: "We need to start learning about this critical topic from a young age.

"That's where we can begin to truly shift the culture to respect and protect the brain but also encourage safe, lifelong, sport and exercise participation."

Image source, SNS

The World Cup kicks off in a week's time and all 48 squads are locked in.

Seven Scottish top-flight clubs have players at the big show in the Americas.

Of the 1,248 players at the tournament, 21 (1.68%) plied their trade in the Premiership in season 2025-26.

Celtic have the biggest representation with eight players, while Rangers are next on seven (including Derek Cornelius, who spent the season on loan from Marseille).

Here is the full list:

Celtic – Alistair Johnston (Canada), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston (both Scotland), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia), Auston Trusty (USA).

Rangers – Nicolas Raskin (Belgium), Thelo Aasgaard (Norway), Findlay Curtis, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Liam Kelly (all Scotland), Derek Cornelius (Canada).

Hearts– Cammy Devlin (Australia), Craig Gordon (Scotland).

Hibs – Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Motherwell – Elijah Just (New Zealand).

Kilmarnock – Aaron Tshibola (DR Congo).

Livingston – Tete Yengi (Australia).

Rangers have opened direct contact with the representatives of Hammarby right-back Hampus Skoglund, who has three years to run on his contract with the Swedish club. (Rangers News), external

Toronto are in talks with Rangers about the future of 27-year-old midfielder Jose Cifuentes, who is on loan at the Canadian club until the end of this month. (Record - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on who should be kept and who should be moved on at Rangers this summer.

Here's what some of you said:

Graham: Raskin is a must keep at Rangers, he is technically gifted and a leader. Danny Rohl relied on him last season, he must be named captain. Mohamed Diomande was excellent in his first season but he's lost his game, so maybe it is time to cash in on him. He is a player I found to only play when he felt like it, and not for the team when it came to challenging for the title, disappointing.

Ross: We shouldn't even consider selling Raskin. We'd be nothing without him. For me a new defence should be a priority, somebody like Luke Graham would be a decent addition and of course we need a new James Tavernier. I am quietly optimistic this time for no apparent reason, but we have to hope for an improvement on last year.

Peter: Raskin and Diomande along with Oliver Antman are the ones in my book who continually underperform, then suddenly they will play to a decent level when it suits, so they should shape up or ship out.

Fraser: Why is Lyall Cameron not part of Rohl's plan? He stood out in the Dundee team and that's why we bought him. Same with Bojan Miovski, who I would like to see team up with Lawrence Shankland rather than Youssef Chermiti. Makes me think there is a clash of personality going on.

Steven: The team should be getting built around Raskin. If he's a starter for Belgium he has to be the first name on our teamsheet. Solid, proven defenders are needed and those who just didn't cut it last season, Antman, Djeidi Gassama and co. need shifted on. I'd like to see Cameron stay and play regularly, alongside Connor Barron - two guys that know what it means to play for Rangers and will give 100%. I'd like to see a real Scottish identity every week too. Findlay Curtis, Bailey Rice, Shankland and the two midfield boys.

Sally: Raskin and Diomande are Rangers' most creative and influential players - selling them would be madness. Add Barron into the mix and what a midfield we would have.

Image source, Sportsfile via Getty

Rangers are willing to depart with Nedim Bajrami this summer transfer window as plans for a clear-out intensify (Football Insider), external.

Rangers and Celtic are set to battle it out for the signing of BK Hacken star Silas Andersen this summer (Football Insider), external.

Andersen could be on the move this summer, after Hacken sporting director Erik Friberg admitted the midfielder's future is far from certain (Glasgow Times), external.

Read Wednesday's gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Skipper James Tavernier is a big-name departure this summer - but how many other Rangers players might follow him out the exit?

Loan players Mikey Moore, Andreas Skov Olsen, Max Aarons, Jayden Meghoma, Nasser Djiga and Derek Cornelius have all returned to their parent clubs.

Ibrox boss Danny Rohl is keen to bring Moore back after the Tottenham teenager's lively season-long spell, but most of the other loanees ranged from near anonymous to passable.

Other than Tavernier, only teenage midfielder Bailey Rice and back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly are out of contract at Rangers this summer. Kelly is World Cup bound with Scotland and while there has been speculation over a new Rangers deal, as it stands he will soon be a free agent.

Fellow goalkeeper Jack Butland - believed to be one of the biggest earners in the Ibrox squad - is entering the final 12 months of his contract. Might Rohl be tempted to move him on to free up further funds for a rebuild?

Out-of-favour players the German would want shot of include Jose Cifuentes, Danilo and Nedim Bajrami, while Lyall Cameron was shipped out on loan to Aberdeen in January and might be best seeking a fresh start elsewhere.

Attacking players such as Oliver Antman and Thelo Aasgaard have much to prove after underwhelming debut seasons at Ibrox, while Lawrence Shankland's arrival raises questions over where Bojan Miovski will fit in to the forward line.

Midfielders Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande both now have two years left on their deals and are among the club's most sellable assets. The World Cup offers Belgium's Raskin a shop window in which to showcase his talents, but Diomande was omitted from the Ivory Coast squad.

Rohl has made it clear he is seeking to sign leaders this summer, and former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell expects plenty of comings and goings.

"Rangers fans will want bodies in the door, but they'll be absolutely delighted to get Shankland," Bell told the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"He guarantees you domestic goals. Shankland's a top, top player and that's a really good bit of business but they've got a lot more to do.

"And they have a number of players they'll need to get out the door as well. There's a lot of players Rohl will regard as not being in his plans for next season, he needs to get them off the wage bill."

Rangers fans, should the club cash in on the likes of Raskin and Diomande this summer or are they a must-keep? Who should be moved on after a trophyless season? Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland goalkeeper Cammy Bell says he would choose Craig Gordon "all day long" to start the opening World Cup match against Haiti despite the 43-year-old's age and lack of game time this season.

Gordon had not featured for Hearts since January when he played the opening 45 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.

But Bell, who is four years younger than Gordon and retired six years ago, feels "the experience he's got" is something Scotland will need "going on such a big stage" at the finals in the United States.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Bell said: "There's going to be a huge amount of pressure on the team and the players to go and get a result in that first game," he said.

"Yes, Gordon has not played a lot this season, but we could have said that in previous games for Scotland where he's had to step in, he's had to come in cold and perform and he manages to do that. He makes big moments, he makes big saves.

"I just think the experience will get him through it, I really do."

Rangers' Liam Kelly played his third game since January when taking over from Gordon for the second half against Curacao, while Angus Gunn has played once for Nottingham Forest this year and his only other outing was in Scotland's friendly defeat by Japan in March.

"That probably plays in the favour of Craig Gordon that the other two that he's competing against haven't had a lot of game time this season either," Bell suggested.

"So, for me, it would be Craig Gordon purely going by his experience and certainly as well you've got to mention he's still a top, top goalkeeper as well.

"If you've not played a lot of games, you're relying on your experience. And that's why I've got to sway towards Craig Gordon.

"He's got so much experience, over 80 caps for Scotland. That's a huge amount of experience on his shoulders and he'll walk into this no problem for me."

Bojan Miovski has not ruled out leaving Rangers this summer with the 26-year-old striker determined to start more games next season. (FlashScore), external

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has reportedly dropped down the pecking order in Wolfsburg's next manager hunt, with the relegated German club setting their sights on Verl boss Tobias Strobl, according to reports in Germany. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

A good World Cup for Scotland winger Findlay Curtis would have "big clubs circling", according to Kevin Thomson, who was his coach at Rangers from the age of 12.

The 19-year-old burst into Steve Clarke's squad for the finals after a blistering end to the season on loan to Kilmarnock - and then by scoring in Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao.

Thomson admits that Curtis was "probably a wee bit of a bronze-silver medal mentality as a young Rangers player" and his progress shows what you can achieve through hard work and dedication.

"Great boy," the former Rangers and Scotland midfielder told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "Was never probably one that was at the top of the group. Never really one of the diamonds as such, but a humble, real hard-working lad.

"A lot of people probably thought he's maybe not going to go to Kilmarnock, he's maybe not going to play, but he was brave enough to go out on loan and take his chance.

"He's probably propelled himself up the ladder to the degree where, if he's not going to start, he'll certainly be one of the ones, when Steve Clark looks over his shoulder, he's not there just filling up the numbers now."

Thomson pondered whether Curtis might not add to his six starts so far for Rangers after he returns from the United States.

"Obviously I want to see him do really well for Rangers - and he certainly wouldn't be moving unless it was for big bucks - but if he has a good World Cup, it wouldn't surprise me if the big clubs start circling," he added.

"He's a breath of fresh air. I think sometimes a lot of young players, when they're at the big clubs, get a bit of comfort in staying there, but Finn's been brave enough to go and play.

"An unbelievable kid to work with, a coach's dream. And he's now reaping the rewards of that."