
Rangers transfer latest as Birmingham stance on Davies and Dowell revealed and Hagi told his 'last option'
All the talk at Rangers is over the incoming next manager and the soon to be 49ers Enterprises takeover.
But behind the scenes talk over players' futures will be well underway as planning kicks up a notch.
The Light Blues return to pre-season on June 23 with crucial Champions League qualifiers one month later - but will Ben Davies and Kieran Dowell be part of the plan?
The Daily Mail report that Birmingham City - where both enjoyed English League One title glory - are willing to wait until a new manager is in and settled before asking about the duo.
They played key roles for the Blues' return to the English Championship with boss Chris Davies keen to turn the loan deals into full-time stays.
The same report states City are still putting packages together for the duo - despite a decision being unlikely until a new head coach gets a look at the squad.
But while they are willing to be patient they won't hang around forever as they line up alternative targets if they can't get the pair back on board at St Andrew's.
Elsewhere, Ianis Hagi has been told a return to his native Romania should be his LAST resort this summer.
The former Rangers playmaker can move on a free and speaking earlier in the week, Hagi himself confirmed he has received phone calls and will weigh up everything that is offered to him.
But Romania legend Ciprian Marica has told the media in his homeland that Spain would be perfect - despite his Alaves loan not working out - as he told Ianis what he must find in his next club.
He told DigiSport.Ro: "It would be the last option for me if I were Ianis, to go back home. That should be the last, last, last option.
"His father has a football club. He could come back to Farul at any time. At home, the door is always open. I would try to stay out.
"Ianis didn't seem to have the best chance in Spain. I see him playing in Spain. I think if there's an opportunity for him to go to Spain I see him playing there.
"Now, you have to have a coach. That's the most important thing about a team when you arrive. A coach who wants you.
"If he wants you, then he forces you, puts you in, supports you. He comes after an injury, he needs the support of the club, to feel loved, to feel important. No matter how good you are mentally, you need a coach or a man to know that you can always lean on him.
"It's important that he goes where the coach wants him to go. I really thought it wasn't easy, it's a delicate situation.
"I hope with all my heart that he stays out, that he finds a team and a coach who believes in him. But the timing is not good at all."
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final
But a new star is forming among the Lioness ranks WINNING TOONE History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELLA TOONE has become the woman for the grandest of stages — and is ready to deliver for England again. The Lionesses star has scored at every World Cup or Euros she has taken part in. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Ella Toone is ready for England to deliver the trophy in the Euro 2025 final Credit: Reuters Her goal in the 2023 World Cup last-four clash against Australia saw her become the first English player — male or female — to net in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major tournaments. One of those goals came in the Spain last-eight tie at the Euros three years ago — and she wants to repeat that trick in Sunday's final. Toone, 25, also netted in the Finalissima against Brazil — where the European and South American champions face off — and scored an FA Cup final stunner for her club Manchester United last year. She has bagged in this Euros as well, in the 6-1 win over Wales in the group stage. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS NOU START Marcus Rashford back with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi as she joins him in Barcelona Asked about her big-stage pedigree, Toone said: 'It's not bad that, is it? 'I feel like I prepare properly for every game and I've had chances in the finals to put the ball in the back of the net and that's what I've done. 'I try not to think too much about that or put any pressure on it. 'I just go out there and do what I can for the team and give my everything, and if a chance falls to me then hopefully I can put it in the back of the net. 5 Toone was used to starring from the bench when the Lionesses last won the Euros Credit: Shutterstock Editorial SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 'It's just about doing my job, on and off the ball, making things happen, creating chances for other people and hopefully there's a chance, like I have in previous finals.' Three years ago, as the Lionesses stormed to home Euros success, Toone was one of those making an incredible impact from the bench. Now, Arsenal star Michelle Agyemang is England's super sub. Lionesses celebrate after bonkers Euro 2025 penalty shootout win over Sweden The striker, 19, saved her side in the quarter-final with Sweden and the last-four win over Italy. Having hardly played or netted in club football last season, she has become a phenomenon on the international stage and will return home to a new level of fame. That is something Toone, now an established starter, went through in 2022 and the Northern lass had some left-field advice for Agyemang. Toone said: 'She might get papped eating a pasty like I did! I'll have to warn her about that. 'Michelle is mad, I would think that she's about 30 years old, she's so mature, she's so humble and she's come into this tournament with freedom and not a worry, not a care. 5 Michelle Agyemang has scored two late equalisers to send England to extra-time in their quarter-final and semi-final Credit: Getty 'She's just gone out there and done what's been asked of her and she's been amazing for us. She's turned up in big moments when we've needed her and she's got a lot of talent and she can do a lot of things that not many players can do. 'Even when she has scored and kept us in games, she's been the same Michelle. I'm absolutely buzzing for her.' The Lionesses have shown their mettle to come back from the brink in Switzerland. While the players have discussed their 'proper England' performances, Toone revealed there have been some incredibly motivational moments from manager Sarina Wiegman. The Dutchwoman guided a team to a final for a fifth straight tournament after winning the 2017 Euros with her native Holland and reaching the 2019 World Cup showpiece. Toone added: 'She's done a few good speeches this camp, I'll give it to her. We had a good one before the Italy game the night before, one that definitely stood out. 'Even though sometimes we have gone a goal down, you still remember the words that she said before the game and it makes you want to go out and put on a performance for the second half as well. 'No matter what Sarina says, you listen because she's reached five major tournament finals so she definitely knows what she's doing.' Wiegman has created a family bond in the Lionesses camp, though there are plenty of parents, siblings and friends here in Switzerland. 5 Sarina Wiegman became the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five international tournament finals in a row That group enjoyed a pub crawl through Zurich on Friday afternoon, away from the squad, before everyone headed off to Basel for the final. One picture of the families wildly celebrating Agyemang's goal against Italy was shared among the players. It is a scene they are intent on recreating. Toone added: 'It was a nice picture to see, we've sent them on a rollercoaster this tournament and it's nice to see things like that. 'Hopefully we can kick on in this last game and make it a tournament they can remember, too.'


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Defiant Benjamin Nygren delivers Celtic prophecy for Champions League after Ajax reality check
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Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Jamie McGrath reveals the truth about his Hibs glory goal as recruit jokes about Aberdeen transfer redemption
The summer addition made an impact in the Conference League after his summer switch from the Dons New Hibs hero Jamie McGrath has revealed his free kick goal was off the cuff - but it was meant. The midfielder marked his debut with the opening goal in the 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland that has given the Hibees the advantage going into Thursday's Easter Road Europa League qualifying return. McGrath scored with a near post free kick, which keeper Jonas Lossl fumbled in at his near post. Hibs manager David Gray suggested it may have been a cross but McGrath claimed he saw the keeper leaving a big gap and exploited it. McGrath confirmed: 'Yes, me and Jordan stood over the ball and we just had a brief chat, We kind of spotted the keeper cheating a little bit. "I was like, yes, I'll whip it into the near post. Worst case scenario, the keeper catches it, but best case, we obviously scored.' McGrath had joked before the game that he had to pay back his teammates because he had been part of Aberdeen 's Scottish Cup-winning squad that had cost them a guaranteed place in the group stages. The last goal he scored in Europe was also a free kick for Aberdeen against PAOK a few seasons ago. The 28-year old acknowledged: 'I had to make it up to them some way! It was obviously a nice start, nice to get my first competitive goal. 'Yes, it was a free kick (for Aberdeen) as well. It is a nice trend. Hopefully we get a free kick next week. It's obviously nice to help the boys out.' Hibs were denied a famous win by another set piece straight out of the top drawer from Midtjylland's Aral Simsir. McGrath insisted it was no thing of beauty for Hibs. He stated: 'No, I never admire it. 'You're just thinking, oh no!. 'There wasn't much we could have done about it. Maybe foul the player a bit earlier in that attack. 'It's always when you look back, you can change different things. 'The pleasing thing was how we defended the box. From the front, I thought we defended really well. The two boys up top worked their socks off and the boys that came in as well carried on the trend. I think probably a draw was a fair result. 'But yeah, they're used to being in the Champions League, so we probably would take a draw going into next week.' McGrath knows from experience that it is fine margins at this level and it could have been so different if VAR hadn't ruled out Martin Boyle's goal that would have given Hibs a 2-0 lead. 'I think overall we defended the box really well,' McGrath insisted. 'We kind of limited them to a moment of magic that obviously equalised the game. 'I think if we were a little bit tidier on transitions, we could have maybe capitalised on that a bit better, especially in the second half. Martin Boyle was very close to being onside at all. 'I didn't see it back, but he obviously was offside if VAR gave it. But, of course there's positives to be taken from tonight. We're going back to a home game next week. I think that's what we aim to do, is bring it back there. 'But, it's only halfway, we can't get too excited. We'll bring it back next week and give ourselves a chance.' There were more than 1,000 Hibs fans in the MCH Arena. McGrath admitted that they were everywhere - even in their Herning hotel. He was delighted to give them something to celebrate and wants them to play their part at Easter Road next week. The former St Mirren and Dundee United player joked: 'Yes, waking us up this morning! 'You could hear them outside the window all day. I don't know if there's much to do around here, but they've been brilliant. 'Hopefully they'll have a good night tonight and get back safe tomorrow. Like I said, Easter Road will be jammed next week. 'I'm really looking forward to it now.' McGrath wants them to make full use of it and finish off the job at Easter Road. The winners face a tie against Fredrikstrad in the third qualifying round and McGrath wants that rather than the consolation of dropping down into the Conference League. McGrath, who scored Hibs goal in Denmark, warned: 'It's only halfway, both teams feeling each other out as well. 'It's going to be a completely different game next week as well. 'We know that. We can't get too high or too low. We have to address it the same way as we addressed it this week. But we have that little edge with the home fans on our side next week.' It might look like Hibs have done the hard part in Denmark but McGrath knows from bitter experience that you need to do the business at home. He was part of the Aberdeen team who battled back to a 2-2 draw away to BK Hacken and then lost the return in a Europa League qualifier at Pittodrie. The new signing warned: 'That's the thing, Europe can switch in the flick of a switch. We know we have to address it like we have done this week. 'We know in Europe if you switch off for a minute you get punished. We're going to have to be on our A game next week to give ourselves a chance to get through.'