Latest news with #MICHAEL
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic and Rangers handed contrasting Champions League verdicts by Jury who fancy one but not the other
Glasgow's big two plus Aberdeen and Hibs are looking to qualify for the 3 big European club competitions Will Celtic make it into the group stages of the Champions League, by seeing off Kairat Almaty? MICHAEL GANNON: They should do. Kairat will be defensive and awkward, and Celtic haven't helped themselves by being short in the forward areas. But the Hoops should still have enough to take a comfortable lead to Kazakhstan and then see it out. ANDY NEWPORT: Logistically it's a nightmare trip, with a 4500-mile flight across five time zones but Celtic have the quality and experience to get through over two legs. The Parkhead board could certainly boost their chances, though, by delivering the striker Brendan Rodgers is desperate for. SCOTT BURNS: The biggest issue is the travel and everything that goes with the away leg. Over the two ties Celtic should be good enough to progress. There will be major questions asked if they don't. Rangers have a big task against Club Brugge. Will they be able to overcome that and make the holy grail of the Champions League? MICHAEL: It looks a tough tie but you wouldn't put anything past Rangers in Europe. They can't afford to be so slack at the back but they can hurt Brugge on the counter and sneak in the groups. ANDY: On current form, that looks a huge task for a team that simply hasn't clicked yet. Brugge proved they are the real deal after making it to the Champions League last 16 year and unless Rangers move up several levels, it will be the Europa for Russell Martin's team. SCOTT: You would have to say that Club Brugge would be big favourites. Rangers, under Russell Martin, have had some decent European results, but this is a step up. If they could get through then it would be massive for the manager and Rangers. Hibs have Legia Warsaw in the Conference League play-off. Can they join Aberdeen in guaranteeing group stage football? MICHAEL: It's a step up in class from Partizan but if they can get off to a flyer at Easter Road to stay in the tie going to Poland, then they can pull off something special. ANDY: Yes but they simply can't give away the cheap goals they handed Partizan the other night. Jordan Smith had a night to forget - even if he did recover to make some big saves late on. But David Gray now has a major decision on whether to keep him in goal or give summer signing Raphael Sallinger a shot. SCOTT: What a chance they have. Yes, Legia will be favourites but two games to get into the group stages for the first time, what more could you ask for? Hibs have the firepower but they might need to tighten up defensively and might need to look at the goalkeeping position. Where do you see any shocks in the Premier Sports Cup? MICHAEL: Aberdeen face a dangerous trip to Morton. The Dons have been blunt up front and Dougie Imrie and Billy Davies will come up with a plan to make life very difficult for Jimmy Thelin's side. ANDY: I'd be surprised if there were any major upsets. Rangers are obviously under pressure but a loss to Alloa would be up there with last year's Queen's Park disaster. That's unthinkable for Russell Martin but I think he'll come through with little drama. Aberdeen might find Cappielow a little uncomfortable but again, Jimmy Thelin's men should progress past Morton. SCOTT: St Johnstone have started well and will fancy their chances against Motherwell, who have yet to win. Morton could also make it difficult but Aberdeen but the Scottish Cup holders should have enough to get through.
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.
