Can Rangers deliver 'something special' in Bilbao?
Former Rangers defender Maurice Ross hopes progression to the Europa League semi-finals is "written in the stars" for Barry Ferguson's side as they look to make it past Athletic Bilbao tonight after battling to a goalless draw with 10 men in the first leg.Listen to more build-up on the Scottish football podcast
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Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Former Rangers loanee Sima signs new Brighton contract
The 23-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Seagulls. He was a success at Ibrox, scoring 16 goals and assisting three across 39 appearances. A permanent transfer to Rangers did not materialise, and he joined French side Stade Brestois on loan at the start of last season. Read more: He found the net 12 times for the Ligue 1 club, including three goals in the Champions League. There was no option to buy in Sima's loan in France, and he returned to Brighton this summer. However, questions about his future with the club have been answered with the announcement of a contract extension. When the new deal is set to expire remains unclear. Sima has never actually made a competitive appearance for Brighton. After his loan at Rangers ended, he penned an emotional farewell message on social media. He wrote: "The time has come for me to say goodbye to a club for which I have a lot of affection. "It is very difficult to find the words but I would like to thank all the club staff, the staff, my teammates and especially you, the supporters, who have always been there for me and for the club. "It's you who makes this club so special. "Come on Rangers!"
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn't be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed
Saka had surgery at 5am to allow staff to enjoy Christmas BUK TO HIS BEST Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn't be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past. But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the England and Arsenal star has returned from hamstring surgery focused only on the present. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Buyako Saka was 'worried' about his future after having surgery just before Christmas 6 Saka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in December And it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign — that began with a Euros final loss for England and ended trophyless for his club — behind him. Saka, 23, said: 'I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended. 'But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.' The Londoner went under the knife on December 24 after sustaining the injury three days prior in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS NOTT ON Forest 'write to Uefa over Palace Europa League decision' and stand to benefit In typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day. He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for self-reflection. The Gunners talisman said: 'I had gone from five years straight playing football, either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops. 'You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks. Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge 'I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn't have even paid attention to when I was playing. 'On that note it was nice and I've come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I'm trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka's glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion Awards 6 Saka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid 'The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I've got what I've got and I need an operation. 'You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' as players came back from this injury and weren't the same. 'After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I've come back in a good place.' Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta during his time sidelined. It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger. He added: 'It's a really good book. It's about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just being in the moment. You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' Saka 'Sometimes I can think, 'Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?' Or, in the past, 'What could I have done to prevent injury?' 'But all that is not necessary. It's only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body. 'One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what's necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.' Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin's, having had surgery at 5am the previous day. He claimed it took him 'ten minutes' to get to the dining room for dinner. So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy 'to get after him', as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a 'good and funny experience'. On Tuesday against Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground, Saka hopes to feature for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, who he describes as 'demanding and intense' on the grass but 'relaxed and nice' off it. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief Tuchel has been brought in with the sole remit of winning the World Cup next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate. The German has won all three of his games, without conceding a goal, but underwhelmed with performances, especially in Saturday's drab 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona. And Saka admits England sometimes have a motivation issue against the smaller nations. 6 Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas Tuchel 6 Arsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England again But the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most. He added: 'Every player is different and I can't answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more. 'In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game. 'It's not easy at times but we need to find that and get these games over the line. 'The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It's job done. 'The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The eight transfer targets on Russell Martin's radar as Rangers boss eyes first signing
Several players could be set to head for the exit door as well EIGHT MEN OUT The eight transfer targets on Russell Martin's radar as Rangers boss eyes first signing RANGERS are keen on out-of-contract Peterborough winger Kwame Poku. The 23-year-old is on Russell Martin's radar as the new boss gets to work on building his squad. Advertisement 2 Russell Martin has several players on his radar Credit: Willie Vass 2 Kwame Poku is one of them Credit: Alamy Several clubs are eyeing Poku, who scored 12 goals in 27 League One games for Posh last season, but Rangers could snap him up for a minimal cross-border fee. Martin wants to strengthen his wide options following the departure of on-loan Vaclav Cerny. Current wingers Nedim Bajrami and Ross McCausland could be moved on this summer. Ghanaian cap Poku is one of a host of players linked with Gers. Advertisement Defenders Conor Coady and Harry Toffolo and midfielders Harry Darling, Flynn Downes and Metinho have been mentioned as targets. It's understood Israeli striker Dor Turgeman is also wanted by Martin, who is tracking Croat forward Matija Frigan. AEK Athens are set to step up their bid for Cyriel Dessers, who could be sold. We told you earlier how the Nigerian striker could be left with a decision to make on his Ibrox future after the Greek side opened talks with Gers. Advertisement Dessers scored 29 goals for Rangers last term but has divided fans with his displays. AEK have been long-time admirers of the striker who moved to Glasgow in the summer of 2023. Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager He joined from Cremonese for £4.5million that summer and penned a four-year deal at Ibrox. And with two years still left on his deal, Rangers are not willing to let him leave for cheap. Advertisement Reports suggest Ibrox chiefs have slapped a £5m asking price on the attacker - which will see them pocked a £500,000 profit. He was the Premiership top scorer last season with 19 goals in the league. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
