
Second goal 'is on me'
Captain James Tavernier has accepted the blame for the goal that crushed Rangers' Europa League dreams.As Barry Ferguson's side chased a late equaliser against Athletic Bilbao, Nico Williams got in behind Tavernier to head Oscar de Marcos' cross into the net and send the hosts through to the semis."First half we were a shadow of ourselves. We let the occasion get to us," Tavernier told TNT Sports."We tried to address it at half-time. We knew we had 45 minutes to address it. The boys tried to give it all but it wasn't enough."The second goal is on me, I was organising and switched off for the cross."Interim boss Ferguson has called for a swift resolution to his future and Tavernier insists he would be happy for the former skipper to be appointed on a permanent basis."We have to reflect on this season, it's not been good enough. There's going to be a lot of change, it can only get better," he added."I've been really happy since Barry came in, he's steadied the ship and knows the DNA of the club. I'd love to have Barry here next season, it's not up to me."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scotsman
34 minutes ago
- Scotsman
When is the first Hearts vs Hibs match this season and how quota could double
Here is all you need to know about the Edinburgh derbies this coming season. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts and Hibs are set to do battle again next season as the Premiership fixtures are released. The Jambos have been on a busy recruitment drive ahead of their Premier Sports Cup fixtures beginning in July. They now know the path they must walk if they are to reclaim the third spot they won in 2024, which was won by Hibs in the 24/25 campaign after a strong first term under David Gray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His side have Europa League qualification clashes against FC Midtjylland to come in July, before attentions then turn to a busy start to the domestic action. One of the first fixtures Hearts and Hibs fans will look for on the calendar is the Edinburgh derby so what are the details when it comes to derby day in the capital this coming season? Look no further than our guide. When are the Edinburgh derbies during Premiership season 25/26? The first Edinburgh derby of the season takes place at Tynecastle on October 4th. The second is December 27th at Easter Road and the final one pre split is February 11th at Tynecastle. Ties will be subject to change based on possible TV scheduling, How could the amount of Edinburgh derby matches double? Last season, there were only three clashes in the league between Hearts and Hibs due to the former being in the bottom six, and roles reversed in term 23/24. It doesn't happen very often but there is a scenario where a total of six derbies could play out. An additional Premiership battle could be added if both sides finish in the top or bottom six together, while they could also meet in the Premier Sports Cup, with Hibs entering at the round of 16. A Scottish Cup meeting could also beckon depending on the draw. Who ruled the Edinburgh derby last season? It was Hibs who had the bragging rights in the 24/25 season. Both teams were toiling near the foot of the table when they first drew in October but Hibs then won the festive edition of the fixture at Tynecastle. Their most recent clash was a 2-1 Hibs win at Easter Road thanks to a Jack Iredale goal that eventually won goal of the season for his looping long range strike over Craig Gordon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The defender said of the effort: "Incredible, it's one of the first individual trophies I've won in my football career. You could see by everyone's reaction that they didn't really expect it from me, so that's why it holds more weight. I've been trying to replicate it in training and none of them have come off yet." And on the prospect of securing third spot this season, the defender added: "I'm confident in the team. Playing in Europe is any player's dream. It's definitely something we want to achieve in the dressing room."


Daily Record
34 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin in unfiltered Rangers address as he sticks up for Souttar, buzzes over transfers and Dessers vow
The new Light Blues addressed a number of issues ahead of a return to pre-season training Russell Martin revealed it was John Souttar 's decision to delay his hernia operation because he was desperate to play in Scotland's friendly double header - as the new Rangers boss admitted he's buzzing at the calibre of potential new recruits. last week, after playing in low key bounce games for Steve Clarke's side against Finland and Liechtenstein which caused anger among some Gers fans. Martin - who will travel to Fir Park for the Scottish Premiership opener in front of the Sky Sports cameras on August 2 - is confident the 28-year-old will be fit for the massive Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos. And he hopes to see the ex Hearts man joined by several new faces as Rangers prepare to ramp up their recruitment drive before their Euro showdown with the Greeks. Martin was also tight-lipped on striker Cyriel Dessers who we revealed has shaken on a deal with AEK Athens, with both clubs still negotiating a fee. Martin's men return to training on Monday and, speaking to Sky Sports, he addressed our story on Souttar, explaining: 'It's really difficult. John wants to play for his country and so many players, especially at the end of the season, get lambasted for pulling out of games or not going away for international games, for whatever reason. 'So he made a decision. He had a minor injury and was desperate to play for his country, which I admire, so the plan was to get it sorted after it. "So he's had a minor op and we expect him to be fit for the Panathinaikos game so it hasn't really affected the preparation. He's been able to go away and play and be ready for us.' On new signings, he said: 'We'll have a few before the European game, that's for sure. Everyone is working extremely hard. The bulk of the work has been about identifying character and talent we want in the building who can add to this group and add to us culturally and performance as well and I'm excited about the people we are starting to look at and hopefully will add.' Asked if there was any news on an exit for Dessers, he said: 'The updates will come when they are actually real. At the minute I'm expecting Cyriel to return on Monday and looking forward to working with him.' It's been a hectic start to life as Gers boss and he said: 'It's been everything I thought it would be: intense, great. But the real work starts on Monday - every manager and coach loves being on the grass and I'm really excited about it. 'Panathinaikos is incredibly exciting, it's going to be an amazing atmosphere at Ibrox. "People have said to me it's maybe the most difficult tie we could have got but if we want to compete in Europe we're going to have to beat some good teams, some really good teams. 'We'll be ready for it, we know what we're working towards now so we can have a good look at them but the work's going to be about us and making sure in the next three to four weeks the players, and we, know what it's going to take and open to learning and we can put in a performance we can proud of 'The priority is to work the players physically and tactically to get them to understand what we are demanding early on and what the team is going to look like. And also hopefully to add a few players to the group , I think we are all excepting that. It's exciting and we get the international players back a week later so we have a good bit of time to work with them.' The first Old Firm derby of the season takes place on matchday four at Ibrox on August 31 but Martin said: 'I'm not sure it matters when you play them (Celtic). We expected it to be early, it usually is, but we have a lot of games to focus on before then and a lot of work to do before then but they are exciting games, special games.' Martin is desperate to get Rangers off to a flyer after false starts in each of their last two seasons with an opening day to trip to Motherwell and a dug-out duel with his old Norwich City team-mate Jens Berthel Askou. It will be Martin's first domestic game in charge of the Light Blues, with the Sky Sports cameras heading to Lanarkshire for the 5.30pm kick off on Saturday, August 2. Rangers have a huge Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos before the new season kicks off. But Martin is desperate to build momentum with Philippe Clement held at Hearts on the opening day last season and Michael Beale losing at Kilmarnock 12 months prior to that. The 39-year-old said: 'It's really important to start well and build momentum, for us, for the fans, the club but it won't define our season so we have to make sure we're ready to perform in the European game before that, we have to make sure were ready again to go. 'It's exciting. We have a lot to do and a lot to focus on before then - a big European game - but it's one I'm looking forward to. "Me and Matt Gill played with Jens, the new manager at Motherwell, so it will be interesting. 'We've exchanged messages and knowing Jens and how intense he was about his work as a player and how he is as a person - seriously professional, intelligent - he'll have them very well organised and prepared. 'We have to make sure we're ready for any challenge whether it's Motherwell, European games, the Old Firm games, any of them - we need to be ready and we have a lot to do. 'We have a lot of work to do physically, tactically, the players haven't been in the building yet - they come back Monday which I'm excited about but we have something to work towards.'


Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bryan Mbeumo told next move is no-brainer as Man Utd and Spurs fight to sign him
Bryan Mbeumo is wanted by Manchester United and Tottenham, with former Old Trafford winger Lee Sharpe telling the forward there is only one club he must join this summer Bryan Mbeumo has been told it is a no-brainer choosing a move to Manchester United over Tottenham. United have already failed with a £55million bid for Mbeumo, with Spurs hopeful the appointment of Thomas Frank as boss can help convince the striker to make the same switch from Brentford. The two Premier League clubs are fighting it out for Mbeumo, but former United winger Lee Sharpe said he must choose the Red Devils over Spurs – despite the lack of European football. United lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Spurs last month, meaning Old Trafford will not play host to European football for only the second time in 35 years. Despite that, Sharpe has told 26-year-old Mbeumo he must choose United, despite the fact he will be turning his back on the Champions League and the chance to link up with his former boss. 'It will be a really tough decision for Mbeumo,' Sharpe told 'To go to Tottenham, playing in the Champions League with the manager you have been playing under and trusts you, knows your game and personality which makes the transition a lot easier. 'But there's only one Manchester United and the opportunity to play for United doesn't come along many times in your career - maybe even not at all. 'I understand that Tottenham are playing in Europe, and might seem like a better option to him, with a manager he knows. But I think that if he can be a part of this rebuild and do well, he will never look back.' Sharpe, who spent eight years at United, making 263 appearances and scoring 36 goals, also questioned whether Jadon Sancho is good enough to play in the Premier League. United winger Sancho spent last season on loan at Chelsea and is facing an uncertain future, with the London club having paid the Red Devils a £5m fee not to make the move permanent. Against that backdrop, Sharpe questioned whether Sancho is cut out for the Premier League and suggested a move back to Germany – where he played for Borussia Dortmund – may better suit him. 'It's been a shame with Sancho, because he's one of the players I would pay an entrance fee to go and watch,' said Sharpe. 'His footwork and ability to take people on is great. 'As a kid, I would have wanted his name in the back of my shirt. I want to watch him dribble and beat players. On his day he's awesome. 'He just doesn't seem to be able to do in the Premier League and the pace the league is at. I think he's quick enough, but I don't know if likes dealing with the physicality. He can go past people like they're not even there and at times he just seems to take the easy option and pass it square. 'With his ability, he should be taking players on at every opportunity and I don't think he does it enough. He's unbelievably talented but doesn't do it enough. Maybe Germany suits him more, where teams don't sit in as much and he has more time and space to beat players.'