Rangers now in 'seismic' period
Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart says the "seismic" changes the club have recently put in place lay "a really strong foundation for the future".In the past week alone, new owners, a new sporting director and a new head coach have all been ushered in.It leaves Stewart confident that Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers' consortium – along with Kevin Thelwell and Russell Martin at the head of football operations – can have a transformational effect on the Ibrox club."It clearly is incredibly significant," Stewart said. "That's three seismic changes: a change of ownership, followed by a sporting director coming in, followed by a head coach being announced.
"That's an awful lot of activity for one club in one week. I think it does herald a really positive new chapter for the club. I think it is a seismic period for the club and sets a really strong foundation for the future."Stewart clearly anticipates progress and he'd like it quickly. What he does not expect is a largescale spending spree. Sustainability is the watchword, with Martn only being promised "a decent amount" of the recent £20m investment from the new owners, according to his chief executive. Stewart is also determined not to resort to old habits and expect shareholders or investors to bail the club out."Since I came in, we've been looking at a strategy in which Rangers can become successful on a sustained basis but also on a financially sustainable basis," he said."We don't want to be going back to shareholders, ideally, and asking them to put their hands in their pockets. So it's up to me and the rest of the team to put in place a strategy that will make sure we're financially self-sustainable."That includes player trading."A European revenue stream is extremely important to us and, if we can move up a league, to the Champions League, that's an enhanced revenue stream, but that's all about getting it right on the pitch," Stewart said."We're looking at all different avenues for generating greater revenue. Ideally, in a way, that means we're not looking to ownership, going cap in hand season after season. "It's going to take us a while to get there, but we're putting in place the building blocks. "The most pressing question on a lot of lips around Ibrox is a familiar one: how quickly can the gap to four-in-a-row champions Celtic be closed? While Stewart is bullish about the challenge of catching up with their neighbours across the city, he is keen to shift the emphasis elsewhere when it comes to the main expectation on their new head coach."It's first and foremost about taking the current squad that we've got and making it better - then also adding to the squad over the summer," the chief executive suggested. "It's about competing again. "I think we all accept that last season just past, we were way off. That's not where we want to be, that's not acceptable as a club. It's about competing again on all fronts. That is the expectation."
'Not oblivious to noise' over Martin choice
It is certainly what the Rangers supporters want, with Stewart acutely aware the board's choice of former Southampton manager Martin has not gone down universally well with the Ibrox fanbase."I'm aware supporters have strong views on who the right person for the role is," he said. "We're not oblivious to the noise. Not at all. "We're confident though – because we conducted such a thorough process - that the supporters will get behind him, particularly when they see him in action."With pre-season training just a matter of weeks away, Stewart knows the club has to stop sacking managers after the short reigns of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and Philippe Clement did not deliver what was required.The challenge for Martin is not an easy one: deliver culture change and good results simultaneously.If he can, he will be an integral part of the "strong future" his chief executive sees on Rangers' horizon.
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Scottish Sun
33 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
We were poor against Iceland and I understand why Scotland fans can booed us – everyone has to take responsibility
JOHN SOUTTAR insists ALL of Scotland's players are to blame for their horror 3-1 defeat to Iceland - not just cock-up keeper Cieran Slicker. The Ipswich reserve goalie won his first cap as an early sub for crocked Angus Gunn but had a nightmare evening. 3 John Souttar reacts at full-time Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 He scored Scotland's only goal in the game Credit: PA 3 He's jumped to under-fire Cieran Slicker's defence Credit: Getty Slicker was to blame for all three of Iceland's goals, including a bizarre third which went right through him. But Souttar - who briefly levelled with a first-half header - maintains the 22-year-old shouldn't be singled out because EVERYONE was shocking. He said: 'I've not spoken to him, to be honest, but tonight was collective and everyone has to take responsibility. 'Will it be a learning experience for him? I'm sure it will be and everyone has had it in their career. 'But the result is collective, I don't think any of us could say we were great in the game so it's on all of us. 'We were poor tonight. 'I don't think we did enough on the ball, we didn't create enough chances, Iceland kept the ball better than us and moved us about. 'Games like this at Hampden, we want to dominate, press high and get the crowd going. 'But tonight we didn't do that. 'It's difficult, boys have played all season but Iceland have been the same, their players have been playing all season. Laser shone in the eyes of Scott Tominay during match but it 'didn't put him off' 'We have to go into the game on Monday against Liechtenstein and get some momentum back ahead of the internationals in September.' The Tartan Army made their feelings about the performance obvious, booing Clarke's team off at half-time and again at the end. And Souttar has no complaints about anyone venting their fury. He said: 'It's not great and you don't want to be part of that. 'But the fans are great, they pay their money so they can boo if they want. 'We were not good enough first half. 'It's not great to hear but it's part and parcel of football. 'The fans are great when we win.' Scotland have shipped six goals in their last two games and beyond the keeper crisis, Steve Clarke's defence is creaking badly. Souttar knows they have to be miles better when the World Cup qualifiers kick off against Denmark in September. And if it's not their qualification hopes will quickly go up in smoke. How they rated Angus Gunn - Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 He said: 'We went through a spell where were keeping clean sheets and defending well towards the end of the last campaign. 'Even against Greece in the first game we defended well. 'But the last two games haven't been good enough and everyone is well aware of that. 'We need to be better, this was a friendly but it's important we put it right in September because that's the big one. 'I'm sure if we do that there will be a much better atmosphere. 'You never want to go into a game wanting to lose, never. 'But if this time next year we are in a good position to go a World Cup then things will feel a lot better. 'It's always important when you play for your country, the next few months are huge because the games are coming again in September. 'We need to get some momentum going again.' Gunn hobbled off after twisting his ankle in the first minute and now faces trying to find a club while nursing an injury. The keeper will become a free agent this summer after Norwich didn't offer him a new deal so Souttar hopes he makes a speedy recovery. He said: 'It has been a long season and the last thing you want towards the end of it is losing players to injury. 'Hopefully Gunny is okay but obviously it was a blow losing our keeper.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
33 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers linked Davide Ancelotti ‘makes major decision on his future as he lands new job'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS managerial contender Davide Ancelotti has reportedly joined his legendary father Carlo at Brazil. Ancelotti was one of the front runners to take over from Philippe Clement at Ibrox, but missed out on landing the job to former Southampton boss Russell Martin. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Davide Ancelotti at Real Madrid Credit: Getty 2 Davide is teaming up with his legendary father Carlo at Brazil Credit: Reuters The 39-year-old was appointed the new manager on Thursday and vowed to win over his doubters. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims on Friday, Davide Ancelotti has made a major decision on his future and is teaming up with his dad Carlo once again. He posted on Twitter: "Davide Ancelotti joins Brazil staff with his father Carlo, decision made and contract signed." Ancelotti has already been his father's number two at Real Madrid, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Everton. But it appeared he was set to go out on his own at Rangers after months of speculation linking him with the top job at Ibrox. He had indicated that Rangers were his preferred choice but had a number of options to consider, with Spanish second division side Deportivo and Swiss outfit Basel reportedly interested. One of those other opportunities also included rejoining his father at Brazil after leaving Real Madrid and that's the decision he has reportedly made. Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge of Brazil ended in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador on Thursday, which he still described as a "special" occasion. Chances were at a premium, with Brazil only mustering two shots on target. He said after the game: "I think the pitch conditions here made it a bit tricky to play a more intricate game from the back. "It was harder to control the ball. "That said, we had two very good chances, with Vinicius Jr, with Casemiro in the second half. "Yes, we could've done better in attack, but you've also got to take into account the strength of the opponent. "Ecuador played a very good game, just as we did... The journeys here are really long, that takes its toll a bit." Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager The draw keeps them fourth in World Cup qualification in South America with an encounter against Paraguay to come. The top six automatically qualify for next year's showpiece. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
37 minutes ago
- BBC News
Whithorn boxer says sport helped tackle her postnatal depression
A new mum has credited the sport of boxing with helping her recovery from postnatal McCallum became the first female boxer from Whithorn's Bravehearts Boxing Club to step into the ring last week when she competed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in she lost her first bout, the 29-year-old said what really mattered was her victory over mental health challenges she faced after giving birth for the first time to her now three-year-old daughter."When I had Ella-Rose I was at my lowest," she said. "The Bravehearts gym saved my life." "It's different to any other mental health that you feel," she explained."You can get depression but the postnatal from having a baby is completely different."It makes you not want to be here anymore. People say you get the 'baby blues' but you don't realise how severe it can be."She said that was where the sport had come to her assistance."I found boxing and it's hard to explain, but I've gone from size 16 to size eight, feel brilliant and got my life back," she said. Natasha, who moved from Ayrshire to the remote town of Whithorn in south west Scotland 13 years ago, had no previous experience of boxing, but the internet helped her to find a club on her doorstep."Because of the size I was after I'd had my little one, I started Googling how to lose weight," she said."And boxing came up, as one of the hardest, but quickest ways to lose weight. So I tried it and I saw the weight falling off."I just got addicted to it, but it helps that you see the improvement in your body. I started looking in the mirror again and seeing the change helps you keep going."Now she says she feels "absolutely amazing"."I can't believe what I've done and how far I've come," she added."I never thought I'd see a way out of where I was, but I have." Natasha has recently launched her own cleaning business - the boxing club is one of her clients - and she is supported by partner John and family, although she banned them from watching her first fight."They're a great support but the boxing is something I've done on my own; it's my thing," she said."My mum's not keen to watch it anyway, and, being honest, I was also a little embarrassed that I might not box very well."I had Tom, my coach there, and there were others from the club supporting me, and that's what it was about." She said their backing had been amazing and they had had "huge smiles" on their faces since her fight."I never thought I'd be in a boxing ring, but I absolutely loved it," she added."I don't know if boxing is for everyone, but I'd recommend women give it a try."Whether you need a lift, something to focus on or not - you don't have to physically box people."She added: "I never realised what boxing training could do, but I know now, and it's given me my life back."I would definitely recommend it to anyone." 'Role model' Tom Jolly, who runs the Bravehearts club, said it was delighted with what she had achieved."We are an open and welcoming club at Bravehearts and it's been great to see more girls and women getting involved in training, and boxing itself," he said."Natasha is a great role model for them."Head coach Wullie Martin said the club was very proud of how she had developed."Natasha made history for our wee club by becoming the first female Braveheart boxer to compete in a sanctioned bout up in Glasgow," he said."I told Natasha that win, lose or draw didn't really matter because as you step in through the ropes of a boxing ring the most important thing is not physical strength, but mental strength."You have to believe in yourself and your abilities to succeed, and Natasha has shown she has that mindset. The wins will come." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can visit the BBC Action Line.
