Latest news with #RefugeeWorldCup
The National
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Ex-Rangers ace outlines 'biggest game of the season' task
The former Ibrox goalkeeper reckons a power of work must be done before Rangers enter the second qualifying round. Rangers will discover their opponents on Wednesday morning with Panathinaikos, Servette and SK Brann as their possible Euro rivals. Aside from the huge financial implications of progress in the Champions League, victory in the opening fixture is crucial for Martin, accoring to Bell. Speaking at a press event for the Refugee World Cup in Scotland 2025, the former Scotland goalkeeper admitted it's not ideal timing for his former club with major changes on and off the park. "Stability is the main thing, first and foremost," said Bell first referencing the takeover. "I think the takeover happening was really important to get that over the line. The guys who have come in behind the scenes already are making headway going forward. "There is a huge amount of work to be done at Ibrox, with regards to structuring the club and the way they want it to run, which is going to take time. "It's going to take time to get that structure in place, bodies in place and the right people as well. "And then you look at the footballing side, they have obviously brought in a new coach. "Russell Martin has got a massive task ahead of himself. I would imagine he has got a huge number of players coming in and going out of the club. Read more: "It'll be a big month ahead of himself before that European game comes, which is always the biggest game of the season for Rangers." On the vast changes expected in personnel before the Champions League qualifying run begins, he added: "There is a huge amount [of transformation] in a short space of time. The game, we're talking weeks away and I feel as that's always Rangers' biggest game because you've got to start well, you want to progress in Europe so there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes. "The team they have put together behind the scenes, I think, will have been working relentlessly to try and get it right. "There will be players leaving and coming in, and then it's all about Russell Martin gelling that squad together because it is not long. "They will be training really hard. I think there will be a lot of work on the training ground on the way Russell Martin wants his team to play next season. "It is a new style, new philosophy that he is coming in with to try and be successful at Rangers so it is going to take a bit of time to implement that to the players as well. "It's not ideal that their first match is going to be their biggest match but Rangers always kind of face that. "They know the pressures that come with it." Martin admitted in his press conference that he was aware he was not the first choice of new manager for some supporters. Bell was impressed with the handling of the situation by the former Southampton boss, as he insisted winning is the surefire way to get all fans onside. "There has been a lot of speculation and a lot of talk about Russell Martin's appointment, and people have been unsure, and he identified that himself. "He was open and honest in his press conference. "That first game is vitally important for him, and he will know that himself. "There is always split when a manager is appointed at a club. "Football is about opinions but for me, the way Russell Martin handled it was first class and I expected that from him. "It was good that he did identify that he maybe wasn't some Rangers fans' first choice, but he is more than happy to win them over."
The Herald Scotland
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ex-Rangers ace outlines 'biggest game of the season' task
Rangers will discover their opponents on Wednesday morning with Panathinaikos, Servette and SK Brann as their possible Euro rivals. Aside from the huge financial implications of progress in the Champions League, victory in the opening fixture is crucial for Martin, accoring to Bell. Speaking at a press event for the Refugee World Cup in Scotland 2025, the former Scotland goalkeeper admitted it's not ideal timing for his former club with major changes on and off the park. "Stability is the main thing, first and foremost," said Bell first referencing the takeover. "I think the takeover happening was really important to get that over the line. The guys who have come in behind the scenes already are making headway going forward. "There is a huge amount of work to be done at Ibrox, with regards to structuring the club and the way they want it to run, which is going to take time. "It's going to take time to get that structure in place, bodies in place and the right people as well. "And then you look at the footballing side, they have obviously brought in a new coach. "Russell Martin has got a massive task ahead of himself. I would imagine he has got a huge number of players coming in and going out of the club. Read more: "It'll be a big month ahead of himself before that European game comes, which is always the biggest game of the season for Rangers." On the vast changes expected in personnel before the Champions League qualifying run begins, he added: "There is a huge amount [of transformation] in a short space of time. The game, we're talking weeks away and I feel as that's always Rangers' biggest game because you've got to start well, you want to progress in Europe so there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes. "The team they have put together behind the scenes, I think, will have been working relentlessly to try and get it right. "There will be players leaving and coming in, and then it's all about Russell Martin gelling that squad together because it is not long. "They will be training really hard. I think there will be a lot of work on the training ground on the way Russell Martin wants his team to play next season. "It is a new style, new philosophy that he is coming in with to try and be successful at Rangers so it is going to take a bit of time to implement that to the players as well. "It's not ideal that their first match is going to be their biggest match but Rangers always kind of face that. "They know the pressures that come with it." Martin admitted in his press conference that he was aware he was not the first choice of new manager for some supporters. Bell was impressed with the handling of the situation by the former Southampton boss, as he insisted winning is the surefire way to get all fans onside. "There has been a lot of speculation and a lot of talk about Russell Martin's appointment, and people have been unsure, and he identified that himself. "He was open and honest in his press conference. "That first game is vitally important for him, and he will know that himself. "There is always split when a manager is appointed at a club. "Football is about opinions but for me, the way Russell Martin handled it was first class and I expected that from him. "It was good that he did identify that he maybe wasn't some Rangers fans' first choice, but he is more than happy to win them over."
STV News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Bonner: Getting transfer business done early will be key for Celtic
Pat Bonner says getting transfer business done early this summer could be key for Celtic with Champions League qualifiers on the horizon. The former Hoops goalkeeper, who also earned 80 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, was speaking at the launch of the Refugee World Cup on Monday. He believes the Premiership champions, who have already added Kieran Tierney to the squad, have a good base to work from, but insists Brendan Rodgers will be looking to add some more quality players as they look to kick on again. The 65-year-old, who spent his whole career at Parkhead between 1978 and 1997, said: 'They are coming from a beautiful base, aren't they? They won the double, they had a fantastic year in Europe and that has given them huge confidence, especially with the group they have to work with. 'But you are always trying to improve the squad, there are certain positions that Brendan will have earmarked, they haven't announced anything yet, but they will be working towards that aim. 'He knows what he needs now, to improve the squad and to improve the team, he spoke last year about quality rather than quantity, and if he brings in one or two, as he doesn't need a lot, then can motivate the group that is already there and fill a few gaps that emerge. 'One or two might be moving on as well, that's the nature of football, but I think he is in a great position. 'The most important thing is that Brendan is still there and is going to be there for a while. 'I'm all for (getting players in as early as possible), if you can identify and recruit early, it's not easy in the market. I think when Ange Postecoglou was at Celtic he did that very well and successfully and that has been a good learning process for Celtic if you can get the squad in and together early. 'Kieran Tierney was announced very early, and it is great to see Kieran back, he will be an improved player because he has more experience and he is still young, so he will be an asset. 'If they can bring some more quality in beside him, and do it early enough so they can be ready for the Champions League qualifiers, which will be important games and won't be easy, that will stand them in good stead.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
