Latest news with #Ibrox
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin broke my heart but as a Rangers diehard this is how I think he'll fare at Ibrox
Leeds United hero Stuart Dallas has swapped the pitch for the stands as he follows Gers across Europe Stuart Dallas has Follow Followed Rangers across the continent. And the former Leeds ace is convinced that with Russell Martin leading from the front, his Ibrox heroes are now heading back to the promised land. The retired Northern Ireland defender may be a legend at Elland Road but he grew up idolising the Light Blues. And since hanging up his boots last year, the 34-year-old has had plenty of spare time to join his big brother Marcus on foreign jaunts cheering on Gers in Europa League action. He was among the thousands of jubilant fans who celebrated last term's memorable away wins over Nice and Fenerbahce and has been a regular at Ibrox too down the years. Now Dallas can't wait to see how far Martin's new-look line-up can make it this season as they begin their Champions League quest with next month's multi-million-pound Panathinaikos clash. Dallas witnessed just how difficult it is to put the breaks on Martin's high-risk passing philosophy himself when he was given a front-row seat during his final injury-hit season at Leeds. He may not have been out on the pitch for the Lillywhites' fateful 2024 play-off final clash but he certainly felt for his team-mates as they were given the runaround by Martin's swashbuckling Southampton side on the day they clinched promotion to the Premier League with victory at Wembley. And he's vowed to be in among the Ibrox legions again this term as Martin's Rangers set out on the long road back to Uefa's top tournament. 'I think it's a great appointment,' he said. 'I was injured for the play-off final against Russell's Southampton team, but I've come up against his sides before. I'm a big fan of his. 'I know the appointment has caused a bit of divide in the fanbase because of how he fared in the Premier League. 'But if you give him the right tools, he's a very, very talented manager.' Russell's refusal to budge from his possession-heavy tactical plan cost him his job at St Mary's as Saints' lack of firepower was brutally exposed by their ruthless top-flight opponents. But Dallas expects to see the new Light Blues boss stick to his guns again at Ibrox. He said: 'He has a clear style of play. He knows exactly what he wants. 'This thing about him not being able to adapt is based on the fact he didn't do so well in the Premier League. 'But the year that Southampton went up, they beat Leeds in the play-off final, in fact they beat Leeds three times that year. "He was able to change his shape and adapt to different situations. So I think it's a great appointment. I'm excited again to see how he gets on. 'People think it's just passing, passing, passing for no reason, but that is mentally draining a player if you're having to chase the ball. 'I get it. There's a fine line in passing the ball around and doing nothing with it, but Russell Martin knows how to break down a low block. 'Ninety-five percent of the time in Scotland, you're going to come up against that, bar maybe when you're playing Celtic. 'He takes risks at the back, but with the high risk comes reward as well, doesn't it? I think it's good. 'Obviously, he's going to need players. Of course, he has a squad that needs an upgrade but again, I'm very excited for how it's going to go.' And Dallas is looking forward to taking in a few more European away days this season. Recalling his recent trips with Gers, the Bluenose from Cookstown said: 'I went to Fenerbahce, I was a Nice as well. Sadly I wasn't in Seville. I was supposed to go to Bilbao, but I was on holiday. 'But I've done Anfield, Old Trafford, a lot of away games. 'Obviously when you're playing, it's difficult to get up to games at Ibrox. 'But my brother's been a season ticket holder for years and all my pals are big Rangers fans. Going to more games with my brother was always something I said I'd do whenever I retired. 'It's enjoyable going away. My first game at Ibrox was back in 2002. It was Rangers-Hearts. 'I went with my brother, my mum and my granny. My grandad brought me over to the game. Me and my brother went. "I think we won 2-0. I would have liked to have been able to get more games throughout my career but it just doesn't work out that way. 'I took my kids up to the Bilbao home game. I drove all the way up there for a 0-0 draw! 'But the penalty save that night was worth it. It will be great to see Rangers back competing on all fronts. 'They need to close that gap to Celtic.'
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dor Turgeman to Rangers fee 'agreed' as mega money Dessers 'push' can unlock transfer amid Igamane standoff
The transfer merry-go-round is in motion at Ibrox amid the search for a new striker Rangers have reportedly told Maccabi Tel Aviv they are willing to meeting their asking price for Dor Turgeman. However, a deal is said to be on hold until after the Scottish Premiership side can offload either Cyriel Dessers or Hamza Igamane. Record Sport first revealed the Maccabi Tel Aviv man is a target for the Light Blues as Russell Martin looks to strengthen ahead of a new era at Ibrox. Israeli outlet 5 Sport report that Rangers are "willing to pay" the £5million asking price that Maccabi have placed on the frontman. But he may be facing a nervous wait over his future with Record Spor t revealing that Lille have been spooked by the Light Blues' £15million valuation of Moroccan striker Igamane. The French side are ready to switch their sights to fresh targets - but the departure of last season's top scorer Dessers could also clear a path for a move. AEK Athens remain keen on the Nigeria striker having lodged a £4.5million bid earlier this week. Feyenoord are also said to be keen on a deal for Dessers - but reports in Greece now suggest that AEK are launching a final effort to bring in the frontman. Voira report that a fresh "push" is being prepare to bring in the frontman with the club prepared to raise their offer to apply "pressure" to the Ibrox side. Sport Time claim that the contract that would be handed to Dessers is £1.5million per year but AEK still view him as a "significant" summer target. Earlier this month, Turgeman made it clear that he was hoping to leave Maccabi and take the next step in Europe. He said: "Right now I'm here (at Maccabi). Of course everyone wants to fulfil their dream in Europe and we'll see what happens. I'm ready to take on the next challenge." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hamza Igamane to Lille could be OFF as Rangers ‘stand firm' on megabucks transfer fee
MONEY TALKS Hamza Igamane to Lille could be OFF as Rangers 'stand firm' on megabucks transfer fee LILLE have backed down in their pursuit of Rangers star Hamza Igamane, after being put off by the Ibrox club's asking price. The Ligue 1 side made a serious push to sign the Light Blues forward this week, going as far as agreeing personal terms. Advertisement 1 Hamza Igamane celebrating his goal against Celtic from back in March Credit: PA Gers bought the Moroccan for £1.7million last summer but were demanding a transfer fee in the region of £15million for the 22-year-old. The player himself was reported to be keen on exploring the move after talks were held with his agent but Lille weren't willing to match Rangers' evaluation. According to the Daily Record, the French outfit have now switched their focus to other targets on their summer wishlist until such a point as Gers reduce his price tag. It's understood that is unlikely however, with the Light Blues comfortable that they won't be pressured into rushing into a sale. Advertisement Reports claim the Ibrox club have received NO official bid from Lille, suggesting the Mastiffs were indeed put off by the hefty fee. More to follow. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Hamza Igamane to Lille transfer hits roadblock over Rangers mega asking price
Record Sport understands that Ibrox bosses are still waiting to receive an official approach Lille are ready to switch their sights to fresh targets after getting cold feet over the megabucks fee Rangers are demanding for Hamza Igamane. It emerged this week that the Moroccan kid had shot to the top of the Ligue 1 giants' summer wish list. Mastiffs chiefs even held talks with his agent and agreed terms on a lucrative three-year contract. But despite 48 hours of intense speculation, Ibrox bosses are still waiting to receive an official approach from their French counterparts. Now sources close to the club have told Record Sport that Lille's board have been spooked by talk of a £15million valuation slapped on a player Gers signed for just £1.7m only a year ago. Unless the Light Blues' new American owners decide to lower their price tag, it looks like Lille will take their business elsewhere. That appears unlikely, however. It was only on Monday that Rangers new vice-chairman Paraag Marathe made clear that the club would no longer be forced to sell their top assets on the cheap now that he and new boardroom boss Andrew Cavenagh are in power at the top of the Marble Staircase. 'The resources are in place to allow us to make the best decisions for the club without being forced to make a decision because of club economics or finances,' said the San Francisco 49ers exec in the wake of the club's £95million takeover. 'We don't want to speak about any specific players but we have the ability to do what we need to do to be successful this season.' Lille appear to be the first club to have tested out that resolve and are now poised to walk away unless they can come up with the cash Gers are demanding for their 16-goal frontman. Igamane arrived last summer and while he took time to get going, he enjoyed a breakout year, scoring a memorable brace against Nice as well as impressive strikes against Spurs and Celtic. That form earned him a first cap for Morocco's national side and also put him on the radar of Lille boss Bruno Genesio. He had hoped to pair the 22-year-old with French national team legend Olivier Giroud, who is close to agreeing his own move to Lille after a year in America with MLS outfit LAFC. But those plans will be foiled unless an agreement can be reached. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Nicolas Raskin sees Rangers transfer rules escape Ibrox as Russell Martin to spring 'surprise'
The new boss has overseen his first full week of pre-season training as the new Ibrox era gets underway Alex Rae has told sceptical Rangers fans that they are in for a "pleasant surprise" with new boss Russell Martin. The new era at Ibrox is well underway with Martin overseeing his first week of pre-season training and Max Aarons arriving as the first signing. Further ins and outs could depend on whether Gers can make a small fortune on their biggest assets, like Hamza Igamane, who is attracting big-money interest from Lille. Any funds would be a welcome boost for Martin as he looks to rebuild a squad who ended last season trophyless and 17 points behind champions Celtic. Ex-Southampton, Swansea City and MK Dons boss Martin is also expected to implement an exciting and attacking style of football that has been badly missing from Ibrox in recent years. And Rae - who was part of axed boss Philippe Clement's coaching staff - believes Martin will turn out to be a shrewd appointment, backing the new man to quickly get fans onside. He told PLZ Soccer: "I understand why they've gone for Russell. We played against Russell when he was Swansea manager. "He had a possession-based brand of football, and we had a team who, how do I put this without being disrespectful, we were under a transfer embargo and were very much restricted. "I think Rangers fans will be pleasantly surprised if they can implement the style of play that he wants to play. Again, it'll all boil down to results, whether that style is successful or not. "It will depend on what he sees with the current crop. There are players who have probably got two years left on their contract who will be courting attention currently. "Whether they renegotiate to extend or not, they may well have to cash in that will then give them funds to reinvest. But recruitment is crucial at any level. So it's important to try and get the right people in." Rae worked closely with Nicolas Raskin - arguably the club's biggest asset - and hopes the midfielder will commit his future to Rangers. If he doesn't, then Rae has urged the club to cash in rather than risk his value depreciating - a mistake the previous regime were guilty of. He added: "I think it's still early doors for Nico. Last year was probably his most consistent and the fact that he's broken into the Belgium national team is really encouraging for him. "For me, he can still go really far. He's still got a lot that he can add to his game, but he has the ingredients to be a top player. "He is one of the ones where, if he does not re-sign, then you don't want him going into his last year because then you don't get the real value. Hopefully, Rangers have learned lessons over recent years."
