Latest news with #CRAIG
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers and Hibs lead coefficient turbo boost and Jury fancies Dundee Utd's chances too
Record Sport's top team run the rule over the big questions facing Scottish football to kick off your weekend How do you now rate the Euro qualification chances of Rangers, Hibs and Dundee United? CRAIG SWAN: Surely Rangers and Hibs have done enough with their superb first-keg displays. United are still in a dogfight, but what a wonderful chance they have given themselves after a superb effort in Vienna. FRASER WILSON: A strong chance for a co-efficient turbo-boosting triple. And what a shot in the arm that would be for Scottish football. Rangers should ease through in Plzen and Hibs will have the know-how to finish off Partizan in Leith. The big question is can Dundee United beat Rapid Vienna at home over 90 minutes? The evidence of Thursday's first leg suggests they have a great chance. SCOTT BURNS: Rangers and Hibs will definitely go through. Hopefully, Dundee United will make it the perfect hat-trick. Their tie is still in the balance and we saw what happened to Hibs after a good result in the away leg. Do Rangers have to keep hold of Cyriel Dessers? CRAIG: The Nigerian international has proven himself at Ibrox and, as well as goals, he has the strength and link-up play to bring flying wingers into the game. Yes. FRASER: Unless they bring in a new goal threat then absolutely. From the early season evidence he remains the best striker at the club - and that from just one start. SCOTT: I would take the money, if it was right. Yes, he scores goals but he also passes up too many chances. He is also getting to an age where they have to maximise his value. Does Luke McCowan deserve a Celtic start at Aberdeen? CRAIG: The midfielder is building a happy knack of making a real impact from the bench in terms of assists and goals. It's a tricky call for Brendan Rodgers. McCowan is worthy to start, but his ability to influence late is also key. FRASER: Probably after last week's match winning appearance off the bench. But a knee-jerk reaction to one average performance on match day one might not be right here. McCowan could be useful as an option off the bench again if things aren't going Celtic's way at Pittodrie. SCOTT: The midfielder is always there or thereabouts. This is the type of game where he could easily make an impact, but if I was a betting man I would say he will be on the bench. Tony Bloom says Hearts will win a title within ten years... Is he right? CRAIG: It is hard to argue against an individual with such an impressive track record in all walks of his life. One thing is for sure, it would breathe serious life into Scottish football. FRASER: No. But it's great to hear ambition. Hearts will strengthen and appointing Derek McInnes as manager is every bit as important as Bloom's arrival. They will win silverware. But the league? Celtic and Rangers will strengthen over the same time frame so it's just too big a leap unfortunately. SCOTT: We all love a bit of belief and confidence. The neutral would love to see them smash Celtic's monopoly. I am not convinced, but it would be great for our game, if it was to happen.
Daily Record
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
An unflinching Jury judges Rangers on Takeover, transfers, wildcard manager shout and a claim about rivals
The big story down Govan way is dominating the agenda Rangers in safe hands with their new American owners? CRAIG SWAN: Rangers have plenty of catching up to do on and off the park, but things can turn quickly on the field in Glasgow as Ange Postecoglou proved at Celtic recently. SCOTT BURNS: That might be the money they are putting into the club but that won't all go to transfers. I will go into strengthening the infrastructure. It is down to whether they can get the maximum out of what they have. It would be a big ask to topple Celtic. MICHAEL GANNON: It's a decent start but it's going to take time and long term investment to get to the top of the tree in Scotland and it will be even tougher to reach the group stages. Three qualifiers is a big ask and there's already a ton of work required to be ready. Year one might be about building solid foundations. Are Rangers in safe hands with their new American owners? CRAIG: The only gauge anyone has at this moment is their past work at other clubs and most of that seems to be in order, so you'd say yes at this stage. SCOTT: Who knows? Rangers need a fresh start. The new owners are providing that and the proof will be in the pudding as to what they do. MICHAEL: They are talking a good game. It's now time to see the proof. It looks like they want to make money on their investment but realise it will take success to do so. That should be good news for Rangers fans. Would Francesco Farioli be a good shout at Rangers manager? CRAIG: Managing Ajax is a pressure job at a high-profile club, so that box is ticked and he's well spoken about by people such as Arne Slot. SCOTT:I genuinely believe it is between Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti. There has been too much smoke and mirrors, Steven Gerrard hasn't been in the equation for weeks. MICHAEL: The Italian is a strong character and has a big reputation. The Ajax collapse and fall out with the club's officials might be a red flag to some but he's certainly his own man and would be an interesting appointment. CRAIG: Celtic will have their plans and do their own thing. Brendan Rodgers wants more progression and ideas will have been in place for ages. It's unlikely to make any difference to their thinking. SCOTT: Celtic just need to concentrate on making themselves better. If they do that then they will remain as the standard bearer in Scotland. MICHAEL: It will be business as usual but they'd be daft to ignore it. Celtic's baseline is set at being better than Rangers and if things are ramping up at Ibrox, the Hoops will need to respond to stay ahead of the game. It's a big summer at Celtic Park.
