"We want to have another conversation with the SFA," Thelwell told RangersTV. "We've been doing some analysis of our own over a much wider period and perhaps want to talk to them again about some of that detail for one reason and one reason only. "We want greater consistency, we want a greater quality and standard of refereeing and we want the focus to be on the football and not on the decisions.
Columbus Crew have granted permission for head coach Wilfried Nancy to speak to Celtic over their managerial vacancy, with the Scottish champions having already held talks with his representatives and believing he is open to a switch to Glasgow. (Sky Sports), external Celtic are in advanced talks to secure Nancy, 48, as their new manager, with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond making the Columbus Crew head coach their number one target. (Record), external
Rangers suffered a fourth straight defeat to open their Europa League campaign after being swept aside 2-0 by Roma at Ibrox. The Scottish giants' dour run in Europe continued as Danny Rohl followed up a 3-0 defeat to Brann in his first game in charge with another disappointing result on Thursday. Rohl had built some optimism with back-to-back domestic wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian, but he clearly has more work to do after this defeat and losing to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.
With all the talk about the fine 5v5 process and their poor shooting luck, it seems the Rangers powerplay issues, or at least a deeper discussion on them, have slipped through the cracks, to use corporate speak. The powerplay has been talked about, but only in terms of their conversion rate ( dead last in the NHL at 11.1%). The Rangers are too skilled to have the worst powerplay in the NHL. Avoiding surface level analysis on the Rangers powerplay issues, there are some real concerns regarding the powerplay structure and personnel, going beyond base level shooting percentage discussion.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl says it is "difficult to understand" why Celtic's Auston Trusty was not sent off in Sunday's League Cup semi-final for a "dangerous" challenge. The defender's foot appeared to catch Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the head as Rohl's side trailed 1-0. The head coach did not want to comment on Trusty's challenge immediately after the game, preferring to praise his players despite their 3-1 loss in extra time.
Bad to worse for Rangers and Rohl! Awful marking from a set piece as Jacob Sorensen bundles the ball into the net, doubling Brann's lead! This is woeful stuff from the Scottish side. Appointed only on Monday, this is Danny Rohl's first game in charge of Rangers, who are 1-0 down at half-time to Norwegian side Brann. Emil Kornvig scored a tap-in at teh back post after a deflected cross.
The Rangers are still looking for a goal at home, and now Edmonton begins a rough stretch of games against likely playoff teams. Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal are all next on the docket, with Minnesota coming up next week before the Rangers travel for their annual Western Canada road trip. Hopefully this is the game the Rangers finally break through.
When Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind against Aberdeen on Thursday to win, a well-known adaption of The Simpsons meme "Won't somebody please think of the coefficient!" shot into the minds of Scottish football fans. Well, if you don't laugh you'll cry. Celtic were bamboozled by Sporting Braga, Rangers fell to defeat against Sturm Graz, and Aberdeen then arrested a lead against Shakhtar Donetsk.
SK Sturm Graz are one of the most well-known clubs from Austria. They have regularly played in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League over the years. Die Schwoazn have won the Austrian Bundesliga just fives times though - in 1998, 1999, 2011, 2024 and 2025. They have also finished runners-up on eight occasions. Sturm Graz have won the ÖFB-Cup seven times and the Austrian Supercup on three occasions.
A long weekend of Premier Sports Cup action is in prospect and, for some, there is more than just a semi-final place at stake. Rangers head coach Russell Martin, in particular, and Aberdeen counterpart Jimmy Thelin both desperately need a change in fortunes. And Celtic's hierarchy would find themselves facing renewed criticism should Brendan Rodgers' holders and Scottish Premiership leaders slip up against second-tier Partick Thistle. Here's what to look out for over the next three days.
Live From the Blue Seats is recording tonight as Dave and Producer JL will be in the booth tonight discussing training camp lines, expectations, and what the coaching staff may be thinking. We will also talk the centennial jerseys. As always we will be answering your questions. It's honestly our favorite part of the pod. The questions are great and they help keep us on our toes.
Rangers' decision-makers are already speaking to alternatives to Russell Martin despite the board throwing their faith behind the under-fire head coach. (Record), external Nicolas Raskin's best friend from his homeland, Walid Cheref, who now plays for lower league club Crisnee, says he knows there is a lot of interest from other clubs in the Belgium midfielder who has fallen out of favour with Rangers head coach Martin. (National - subscription required), external
Ninety-three minutes into the penultimate away game of Sporting Lisbon's 2022-23 season, teenager Youssef Chermiti turns in the fourth goal of a convincing win for Ruben Amorin's side at Pacos de Ferreira. Twenty-eight months, 25 games and two-big money transfers later, the young Portuguese forward is yet to score again. So why have Rangers sealed a deal worth a reported 10m, external to bring the 21-year-old from Everton to Ibrox?
