
Can Rangers solve lacklustre starts?
After the derby win at Parkhead before the international break, I was hopeful Rangers would go up to Dens on Saturday and deliver a drama-free evening with a victory.This is Rangers, though, and things don't happen like that. Seven goals, 12 Cyriel Dessers shots and a dramatic 93rd-minute winner after looking like a shambles for most of the game.Last time I was at Dens we got a late winner under Giovanni van Bronckhorst from Connor Goldson. This time we get one from Dessers.It's all fine and well winning a few games in that manner but we can't afford to start matches the way we have been doing.It's all very lacklustre and lacking in control and intensity and when you throw in a goalkeeping howler it doesn't bode well.However, those are things that can be and should be worked on this week prior to facing Hibs. David Gray's side are far better than Dundee and if we start like we did at Dens, the visitors have it in them to pull off a Motherwell-type result.Where I will give the players credit is their ability to fight back and dig in. That's a massive improvement and that mentality needs to remain in the dressing room no matter who is in the dugout next season.But for now, we have to try to win at Ibrox on Saturday and continue adding to the confidence before the Europa League quarter-final with Athletic Bilbao comes around.

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


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Rangers transfer 'target' told he's ready for Europe while Ianis Hagi could land jackpot move following Ibrox exit
South Africa star Relebohile Mofokeng has been linked with Gers inside the last 12 months Reported Rangers target Relebohile Mofokeng has been told that he is ready to make the jump into European football. The 20-year-old has burst onto the scene with Orlando Pirates in his native South Africa, helping them win three domestic cups since making his debut in 2023. The winger was crowned as the South African top flight's player of the season for 2024/25 and has gone onto win six caps for his country at senior level. Mofokeng was touted as a potential transfer target for several European sides including Gers last year, with Catalan giants Barcelona even said to have sent scouts over to watch him in person. And while it remains to be seen if he is on new Ibrox boss Russell Martin's radar, the youngster has been urged by South Africa and Leeds United hero Lucas Radebe that now is the time to try his luck further afield. He told iDiski Times: "I think he's ready (to go to Europe). You don't need five or ten seasons in the PSL to be ready. "He's had two great seasons already. That's enough to show his potential. From here, it's all about development – and that's where Europe can play a big role. "Players like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, and even Itumeleng Khune – they all had the quality to play abroad earlier,' Radebe added. "But staying at one club or in the PSL too long doesn't always help their growth. That's why I believe our top talents must go as young as they can. Relebohile is at that stage now.' Meanwhile, Ianis Hagi has offers on the table from clubs in Europe's top five leagues following his Rangers exit - according to an insider close to the midfielder. The Romania international called it quits on his five year spell at Ibrox when his contract expired last month, with the playmaker missing the final three games of the season through injury. The 26-year-old was said to be on Polish side Legia Warsaw's radar but that potential transfer now looks be off the table after their manager Edi Iordanescu admitted that they would not be able to meet Hagi's wage demands. But following the rebuke, Steaua Bucharest and Romania legend Ilie Dumitrescu claims he has heard from Hagi himself that clubs in Europe's top five most prestigious divisions - England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy - have all enquired about his services. Speaking to Digisport (via he said: "I met him at the gym. He trained with Farul (Constanta), participated in training sessions. From what I understood, he had offers from top 5 European leagues. "He also had an offer from Legia, but he didn't accept. There are advanced discussions in top 5 leagues. We hope that they will materialize soon."


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
John Clark funeral mass revealed by Celtic as Lisbon Lion set for touching Parkhead send off
The former player, coach, assistant manager and kitman sadly passed away last week at the age of 84 Celtic legend John Clark will make a poignant final journey past Parkhead when he's laid to rest this Friday. The Lisbon Lion - who spent almost half a century at the club as player, coach, assistant manager and kitman - passed away last week at the age of 84. Clark, from Chapelhall, near Airdrie, was part of Jock Stein's side who became the first British team to win the European Cup, famously defeating Inter Milan in Portugal in 1967. Fans have been laying scarves and wreaths at Celtic Park over the last week as tributes continue to pour in for one of the club's greatest ever servants. And now, the Scottish champions have invited supporters to pay their last respects on Friday, when Clark's cortege will travel down the Celtic Way around 1.15pm. Clark's funeral mass will then be held at St Mary's, Calton, which will be live-streamed on Celtic's official YouTube channel. A club statement confirmed: "The Funeral Mass for Celtic legend, John Clark, will be held this Friday, July 4. "While the service will take place at St Mary's Church in the Calton at 12noon, we ask supporters to be mindful that space at the church is limited. "The Funeral Mass will, however, be broadcast live on the club's official YouTube channel, giving supporters everywhere the opportunity to join the club in remembering a true legend. "For those wishing to pay their respects, John's funeral cortege will travel down The Celtic Way at approximately 1.15pm, and fans are welcome to gather at Celtic Park to say a final farewell to one of the club's greatest ever servants. "John Clark was a Lisbon Lion, a cornerstone of our greatest ever team, and a dedicated servant to Celtic across seven decades. This Friday, we come together to honour his incredible legacy." 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. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Dessers Rangers transfer exit addressed by AEK Athens boss
The Rangers striker has been linked with a move to Greece this summer, but no deal has been struck. Reports have suggested Dessers has agreed personal terms but no transfer fee has been reached between the clubs. According to reports, Rangers are keen to receive a £5m fee but AEK only want to shell out £4m to land Dessers ahead of the new season. Nikolic, though, appeared to cool speculation over an imminent move for Dessers as he insisted his side hjave no issues in the forward area. "No, because in attack we are good with Zini, Pierrot, Martial and even Eliasson," said the manager when asked about transfer signing delays. "We are working on the left-back, but we have time. Full-backs on the market are always a difficult matter. It is not a big issue, we are also looking for a player for another position." Read more: Speaking to Greek media, he added: 'We will have six new players for the next friendly. 'Our team is filling up and we will continue to work. 'We are happy that there are no injuries. 'It was a good game today and we ran well, which is important for this point in time we are in." Dessers previously said of his Rangers future: "I still have two years left on my contract with Rangers. It's a fantastic club, and I'm happy there. "When you score that number of goals, it's normal for other teams to show interest. I've seen the links with Olympiacos, but I don't know anything specific about that. "These kinds of rumours are normal, but for now, I'm staying focused and looking forward to enjoying my holiday in a few weeks."