Latest news with #Besiktas
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Mohamed Diomande opens up on his Rangers future amid transfer talk as he admits ‘Ibrox is not an easy place'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOHAMED DIOMANDE has dismissed talk of a move away from Rangers this summer. The midfielder has been linked with Turkish side Besiktas as well as Everton and West Ham. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Mohamed Diomande is a fan favourite at Rangers Credit: Willie Vass 4 Diomande celebrates last week's 2-0 win over Panathinaikos Credit: Getty But as he set his sights on helping Rangers reach the third qualifying round of the Champions League Diomande insisted: "I'm happy at Ibrox. 'I don't see much speculation or what is written. 'I'm a Rangers player so I'm really focused to give my best for this season. 'For me, it's a dream to play in these European games. 'Growing up, I always wanted to play in big competitions in Champions League and Europa League and now I have a chance to show myself. 'Also, there are people watching me back home and I'm just happy to play in this competition. 'I hope we can get the result we want and be in the next round. 'I've learned to be tough mentally. I know Ibrox is not an easy place. 'I've been here one year now and I think it's helped me to be tough mentally. 'Like I said, I'm just happy I'll be able to play a lot of football now and we'll be dominating a lot in the league.' New Rangers star Mohamed Diomande close to tears as he says goodbye to old team-mates over 40,000 fanatical fans are set to turn up the heat in the stands. Temperatures pushing 40 degrees at kick-off will ensure there's no respite on the pitch. But Rangers boss Russell Martin has vowed his players WILL keep their cool in the blazing Athens furnace. The Gers gaffer said: 'We had an extremely hot week in St George's, where the guys had to work really, really hard and cover a lot of distance. 'That will help prepare us, but it's the same for both teams. 'We have to manage the game in the best way possible, in our way, for us. 'And I think the players are ready for that.' A place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League is up for grabs in the Olympic Stadium. Panathinaikos - who had defender Giorgos Vaglannidis sent off in last week's first leg - are bidding to overturn a 2-0 deficit. 4 29.07.2025 Rangers MD-1 training: Russell Martin Credit: Willie Vass Boss Rui Vitoria is banking on the backing of a hostile home support to help the Greeks. But Martin insisted: 'They need to display courage, discipline, aggression in the right areas, intensity, all of it. 'And nothing will change. 'We can talk about the approach for this game, but it's not going to change. 'We have to be the team we want to always be. 'I think this football club demands that and we'll certainly demand that as a staff. 'Late on in the game and stuff like that, you have to manage it as well as you possibly can, depending on the situation. 'But the approach going into it has certainly not been any different. 'We have a lot of international players. 'I think we have to manage the game and take the crowd out of it as much as we possibly can by doing it in our way and trying to dominate in as many aspects as we can. 'I think I'm looking forward to the atmosphere. Rangers transfer special as Russell Martin eyes THREE wingers, Coady latest and Dowell future 'It'll be a really good experience for the guys, but we have a lot of guys that have played in big games, big occasions and for this football club. 'I'm really confident the guys can handle that.' Martin expects Panathinaikos to come flying out the traps in the Olympic Stadium. The Greeks need at least three goals on the night and they're praying the stifling conditions will play a part. Yet Martin believes his team are prepared for what lies ahead. He stressed: 'They did that last week as well. 'They didn't come to Ibrox trying to defend and get us on the counter-attack. 'They stuck to their game plan with the games that we watched previously. 'They weren't defensive in their mentality or approach or tactically at all. 'We have to bring our own game plan and try to instil that as much as we possibly can. 'The opportunities need to be ones that we create. 4 'I don't expect to be given any opportunities and I don't expect us to give them any. 'Both teams are going to have to work hard to try to create that, however that looks. 'Maybe it's on a regain, maybe a counter-attack, maybe set-piece. 'Maybe it's by being patient and waiting with the ball. 'So, we'll just have to wait and see. But the guys are, I think, really ready. 'We took a lot, so much learning from last Tuesday night. 'And I think we have to make sure we take that into tomorrow. 'For me it's the same situation we found ourselves in before the first game. 'It's a tough game against a good opponent that we have to be really ready for, and I think we'll be better than we were last week. 'We have to be, and it's down to these guys when they step out over the white line to make sure we stick to the work and the detail and really believe in what we're doing.' Martin hinted that he could start Djeidi Gassama - the man who came off the bench to score at Ibrox last week. The Gers boss admitted: 'He's ready to start. 'He had a big impact for us when he came on. 'You saw plenty of the reasons why we wanted to sign him. 'It's early, early days, but Gass is a player that really excites us and I think can make a big difference for us. 'And hopefully, he does the same again tomorrow night.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hojlund remains on Roma's radar as Dovbyk alternative
The future of Artem Dovbyk remains uncertain as questions have been raised regarding the striker's place in Gasperini's team. In recent days, reports have come out linking Dovbyk with a move to Besiktas. According to Leggo, the Ukrainian has also caught the attention of several Premier League clubs. The newspaper adds that Roma are open to Dovbyk's sale for a sum of 35 million euros. With Dovbyk potentially out the door, Roma would focus on Rasmus Hojlund, writes the newspaper. The Manchester United striker would be keen on the idea of a return to Serie A.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Besiktas inquire about Artem Dovbyk
Besiktas are reportedly focusing on Artem Dovbyk as their next transfer target. According to Turkish portal Besiktas have made contact with Roma for the Ukrainian striker. The initial idea was to focus on Mehdi Taremi, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prefers a younger, more dynamic player, which is why Dovbyk is now considered a priority. The striker is seen in Istanbul as the ideal partner for Tammy Abraham, whom Besiktas hopes to relaunch after a disappointing season at AC Milan. There are currently no official offers, but discussions between the clubs are ongoing, with Roma considering only offers that match the player's value.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Major Ridvan Yilmaz transfer update as Man Utd legend ‘approves' swoop for Rangers star
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE future of Ridvan Yilmaz at Rangers has been an uncertain one for some time. Now, talk of a return to Turkey for the left-back is gathering further pace. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Ridvan Yilmaz in action for Rangers during pre-season Credit: PA 4 The defender was left out of the Champions League qualifying squad Credit: Willie Vass Ridvan joined Rangers in 2022 from Besiktas in a deal worth just under an initial £3.5million. Injuries have hampered his three-year stint at Ibrox and he's been consistently linked with a move back to his homeland in recent times. That talk only intensified when the defender lost his shirt number to new signing Max Aarons, moving from number 3 to number 33 instead. He was subsequently left out of Russell Martin's squad for the Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos last week. All signs are certainly pointing towards Ridvan not having a future at Ibrox. The defender has been heavily linked with a return to former club Besiktas all summer long. Now, that move could have taken a step closer. Turkish outlet Fanatik claim that the club's boss - Man Utd legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - has approved a move for Ridvan. The report says that Solskjaer is "of the opinion that Ridvan would contribute both physically and technically." It also says negotiations are underway. Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match There have been various different claims regarding the make-up of a deal for Ridvan, ranging from permanent to loan. The latest Fanatik report says Besiktas are hoping to a deal for 2m Euros, which would be around £1.75m. Other Turkish reports claim Rangers are looking for another million on top of that. Should Ridvan head to Besiktas, he could be joined by a former Gers teammate. The same report claims the club have 'accelerated' a move for Vaclav Cerny. The Czech winger, 27, was a huge hit at Ibrox during his loan spell from Wolfsburg last season. Cerny said his goodbyes to the Light Blues at the end of last season and there hasn't been any hint of a return since. He could now be bound for Turkey, with the report saying 'significant progress' has been made regarding a move to Besiktas. It could be a loan deal with an option to buy. 4 Besiktas are managed by Man Utd hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Credit: Getty 4 Vaclav Cerny could be on his way to Besiktas too Credit: Willie Vass Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cerny set for Besiktas move & Martin has interest in 'fair few' players
Rangers head coach Russell Martin said the Ibrox club have transfer interest in a "fair few" players after Saturday's 2-2 friendly draw with Middlesbrough in Glasgow. (The Herald On Sunday), externalVaclav Cerny, the Czech Republic winger who was on loan to Rangers last season, looks set to join Turkish club Besiktas from Wolfsburg. (The National On Sunday), externalRangers have agreed to loan 17-year-old defender Jack Wyllie to Kelty Hearts amid rival interest from a number of League 1 and League 2 rivals. (Sunday Mail), externalRead the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
