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Daily Record
8 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Managing Rangers – Eggs put in 6ft 3' Arsenal star's basket and huge £5m decision to be made
The state of play as Rangers look to continue their busy summer of transfer incomings and outgoings following the arrival of new boss Russell Martin Rangers may need to strengthen further ahead of the transfer deadline if they are to take the fight to Celtic this season. The Gers have made a mixed start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, while they are on course to qualify for the Champions League playoff round following Tuesday's superb 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen. The true test of progress under Russell Martin will be how close they can get to their Old Firm foes, who romped to the title by 17 points last season. Martin has made a number of transfer inroads following his arrival, with nine summer signings, but more incomings are on the cards ahead of the September 1 deadline. The Record looks at the current state of play and what a dream scenario could look like... Focus on signing Arsenal keeper Martin has said he is open to signing a keeper to provide competition for Jack Butland, and Karl Hein would be the perfect option. With a loan deal for Brighton's Carl Rushworth off, the Light Blues have reportedly turned their attention to Gunners back-up Hein, according to reports in Germany. The 23-year-old joined the Gunners' youth ranks in 2018 but has made just one first-team appearance. The 6ft 3' stopper spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid in La Liga, making 31 appearances as the team were relegated. The arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea will have shunted the Estonia international even further down the pecking order at the Gunners. Given his age, he may feel it is time to sever his Arsenal links permanently. Sevilla are also in the running to sign Hein, who has previously been linked with Portsmouth and QPR. £5m decision made Cyriel Dessers ' future may be at Rangers after all, despite Martin's admission that he was the only player in his squad to attract a formal bid this summer. That bid is widely thought to have been from AEK Athens. It is believed Dessers had even agreed a £30,000-a-week deal with the Greek giants before the Gers' new American owners dug their heels in by refusing to accept less than £5million for the Nigerian. AEK appear to have moved on, signing Luka Jovic from AC Milan. Martin has openly praised Dessers' attitude, suggesting he could be part of his long-term plans. The 30-year-old started against Viktoria Plzen, scoring from the spot in a superb all-round performance. Billy Dodds, part of Barry Ferguson's coaching staff at the end of last season, believes cashing in on Dessers this late in the window would be a major mistake. He said: 'It would be a gamble now. I think the big man has bounced back and I love players who show that.' Dodds added: 'He's scored again and he's probably put it back in Rangers' court. I think probably the Rangers did want to sell. But now there's a question mark about it.' Go after a Mendy alternative Rangers remain in the hunt for a central defender after appearing to have missed out on Real Betis's Nobel Mendy. The Light Blues had expressed an interest in the 6ft 2' centre-back as Martin looks to beef up his defensive options. However, Mendy looks set to remain in Spain, with Rayo Vallecano now leading the race to sign the talented 20-year-old, according to reports in the country. Mendy was viewed as an alternative to former target Conor Coady, who has joined Wrexham instead. Rangers could look at the array of experienced free agents who remain available, including former Manchester United man Victor Lindelof, 31, ex-West Ham centre-back Kurt Zouma, 30, and Ben Mee, 35, formerly of Brentford and Burnley.
Daily Record
8 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Rangers receive new VAR verdict after Djeidi Gassama penalty controversy against Dundee
The winger won a late spot kick at Ibrox which James Tavernier netted to make it 1-1 Rangers have been told that VAR should have stepped in after Djeidi Gassama won a penalty during a late rescue mission against Dundee. The winger cut inside Drey Wright late in the Scottish Premiership clash and went down under pressure from the full-back in the box - allowing James Tavernier to cancel out Ryan Astley's header from 12 yards. The home side had already been reduced to 10 men after Nasser Djiga brought Fin Robertson as he closed in on Jack Butland's goal - while Cyriel Dessers last goal was chalked off by the team in Clydesdale House. And the Sportscene panel insists referee Don Robertson should have been sent to the pitchside monitor to review the challenge on the 21-year-old. Former Ibrox striker Stephen Thompson said: "I'm not having it. I don't think it is. I think Gassama plays for it; he feels contact and throws himself. "Yes, there is a wee bit of contact, which you would expect but he feels it and throws himself to the ground. I'm surprised VAR agreed it was a penalty kick." And Gordon Smith added: "I think if VAR had intervened there is a good chance it was disallowed." But Ian McCall reckons that the flashpoint started before the contact between Wright and the boot of the Rangers ' attacker. Offering a defence of whistler Robertson and the VAR team, he said: "Our view from here is that he certainly looked like he clipped him, and it looked like there may be a wee incident before it - a shirt pull." Djiga was also offered a defence by former Light Blues' striker Smith, who insisted the Wolves loanee had not intended the last-ditch contract before seeing ref. Smith said: "(It) Could be looked at as harsh in one respect "He wasn't complaining about being sent off which was a bit of a surprise, because I think he did make contact with him but I don't think he was trying to bring him down." Thompson interjected: "No, he wasn't trying to bring him down but he makes contact and he's last man, denying a goalscoring opportunity." But he was not as forgiving of Dessers - after the striker was denied a late winner in injury time by the offside flag. He said "It was bad striking. He has moved too quickly." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
The Guardian
9 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Community Shield buildup to Liverpool v Crystal Palace and more
Update: Date: 2025-08-10T07:22:43.000Z Title: Let's start with that Rangers reaction … Content: Russell Martin has told frustrated Grs fans there is 'no quick fix' after his side dropped another two points with a 1-1 home draw against Dundee – which was secured via a James Tavernier penalty in added time. Martin said: 'Every club I have been at, it's a bit of pain and when you get through that pain, it's so worth it. I don't think I expected anything less coming here, it's not going to be a quick fix. This club has not had success for a long, long time. I've been asked about the supporters' reaction and I just don't have a problem because I understand it.' Read more via the link below. Update: Date: 2025-08-10T07:17:28.000Z Title: Preamble Content: I guess we're now officially back? The Championship season is under way, we've already had a couple of weeks of the EFL and today's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace will confirm that we are, indeed, so back. Bristol City's drubbing of Sheffield United and Southampton's late surge to stun Wrexham were the highlights of the second tier stuff yesterday, with attention now turning the other (far more) beleaguered Steel City club. Sheffield Wednesday travel to recently-relegated Leicester later, just glad they have a fixture to play and a team to play it. There's also Scottish Premiership action today and we'll have some reaction to Rangers' second successive league draw under new boss Russell Martin. Celtic go to Aberdeen in the Sunday lunchtime kickoff. As always on these Matchday Live blogs, we encourage you to get in touch with your thoughts, previews and predictions plus we'll have some insight from our team of intrepid reporters bringing you the latest from Football Land, now that we've landed once more.
