Latest news with #StandardLiege
Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin punishes Rangers stars for breaking one of his key rules as he waxes lyrical about Nico Raskin
Martin says he doesn't have many rules but one of them was broken and his players found out about it Russell Martin loves Nico Raskin's determination to place himself at the heart of the action. But the Rangers boss wants his midfield ace to realise that doing less can see him become much more of a threat for his new-look Light Blues. Gers' Belgian battler has emerged as a fans with his ankle-biting terrier spirit. It was that aggressive streak to his game that saw him nicknamed 'The Pitbull' by fans at his former club Standard Liege. But his new boss feels that by placing the 24-year-old on a tighter leash, he can more bite from his bark. Raskin re-established himself as one of Gers' top dogs after a impressive return to form last year. And Martin expects to see him show his pedigree again once he takes on board some important tactical lessons. 'He's been good, Nico - he has so many tools,' said Martin. 'But I think less is probably more with Nico. We can get more out of him, more end-product by doing a bit less. 'So it's about making him understand why we're asking him to do what we're going to ask him to do. And him seeing the benefit in it because he's a really outstanding footballer. And he has big character. "I think you need that. It's why he's done well at this football club. He has big character. 'He wants to take the ball. But I think he's had to do a lot in the previous season, a lot to impact things. Whereas now, we're going to ask him to do a bit less. And when he does have to do stuff, to do it with real quality, aggression, intensity, which he has. 'So hopefully, we will be able to bring out an even more impactful Nico. Because I think he's a really excellent player.' There's been whispers of negotiations on a new deal for the new Red Devils international, with his current contract set to expire in two year's time. Martin isn't getting involved in that but is certainly delighted with his new midfield options having added Joe Rothwell, Thelo Aasgaard and Lyall Cameron to his squad over the summer. 'I can say it with real calm and happiness that it has nothing to do with me,' grinned the gaffer as he side-stepped the contract talk. 'I just train him. But yeah, we're really strong in the midfield department with Thelo signing and all that stuff. So I think we're really happy with the options we have in there.' For now it seems Martin is also happy to have the likes of Nedim Bajrami, Oscar Cortes and Danilo on board despite all three appearing to be likely contenders for an Ibrox exit this year. While the likes of Robin Propper, Ben Davies, Jose Cifuentes, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King were all left behind in Glasgow having been instructed to find new clubs, Bajrami, Cortes and Danilo joined the first-team group at St George's Park for last week's training camp. Martin said of the trio: 'Good guys. Really good guys. 'They're trying everything to make it work here after different experiences so far at this football club. But they've been brilliant to work with. Really, really good. 'All come back in good shape. Working really hard and now it's up to them to make sure they become part of the plans or part of the team.' Martin is looking to set the standards this summer that he hopes will take the team to silverware later in the year. And there is a price to pay for anyone who falls below his high expectation levels. He said: 'Off the pitch, we'll treat them with real respect, hopefully with care, with love. They'll feel that. 'I love how hard they're working already, how much they've been willing to take things on. But when we're working, we're working. And there'll be certain standards that I think this football club demand. 'We've demanded as a coaching staff wherever we've been, even more so now. So they know. They know there's not many rules, but the few rules we have are really important to us. And one of them wasn't upheld last week, so they ran the next day. 'Even though it was the day before the Barnsley friendly game, they understand. I don't think there was too much moaning that was there, because they know. They made it really clear. So I think respect and clarity and honesty, I think always. 'And I think that'll be really important. But when we're working, we're really working. When we're not, we can have a good time and we can enjoy each other and work things out. But when we're working, it's proper.' Rangers have warmed up for the new season with a 2-2 public work-out against Club Brugge and a couple of closed-door kick-about with Welsh outfit TNS and English third-tier outfit Barnsley. They'll have another private runout this week before the action starts for real in their crucial Champions League opener against Panathinaikos. Only then will Russell learn which of this summer's seven new recruits are ready to shoulder the huge pressure that is piled on every time they pull a blue jersey over their heads. 'You just don't know until you come,' he said. 'Every signing we've made, we've told them what to expect. 'Part of the pull to come here is to play in front of 50,000 people every other week, to play in Europe, to try to win things. 'All of them are really easy to motivate - and hopefully they buy into the style of play and into us as a coaching staff and that they'll develop and enjoy it. But I think it's such an easy pull to say that - but then they have to feel it. And we'll learn even more about them in two weeks' time. "Our job is to make sure that we give them enough strategy, enough clarity, enough detail, enough work to overcome and to stick to who we are, no matter what the situation is. 'Whether we're winning 2-0, whether we've conceded a goal early, whatever it is, whether we're hanging onto a lead, all of that - they need to be us all the time and that's the bit we'll find out in the next few months.'
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Burnley's Hountondji makes St Pauli loan move
Burnley striker Andreas Hountondji has joined Bundesliga side St Pauli on loan for the 2025-26 international Hountondji joined the Clarets from French side Caen in the summer of 2024. He made 10 appearances, before joining Standard Liege on loan for the second half of last 23-year-old featured 18 times in Belgium, scoring four goals and assisting twice.
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek newly appointed coach Yannick Ferrera vows to meet fans' expectations - Egyptian Football
Zamalek's newly appointed coach Yannick Ferrera said on Friday he is determined to meet the expectations of the club's passionate fanbase and restore the team's status as a continental powerhouse. The 44-year-old Belgian signed a one-year deal with the Cairo giants, replacing interim coach Ayman El-Ramady ahead of the 2025/26 Egyptian Premier League season, which begins on 8 August. 'I held quick negotiations with Zamalek's management as we shared a mutual desire to work together,' Ferrera said in comments published on the club's official website. 'Zamalek is one of the biggest clubs in Egypt. I read that they were the best club of the 20th century, and I hope now to make them the best of the 21st century,' he added. The Belgian coach pledged full commitment from day one. 'If we work together, we will achieve victories. I promise Zamalek's supporters that the players will fight from the first day to the last,' he said. Ferrera arrived in Cairo late on Thursday to finalise the deal and begin preparations for the new season. He brings experience from Belgium's top flight, having previously managed Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden. He won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege in the 2015–16 season and led Sint-Truiden to promotion from the Belgian Second Division in 2014. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek appoint Belgian Yannick Ferrera as new coach - Egyptian Football
Egyptian giants Zamalek have appointed Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera as their new manager on a one-year contract, replacing interim coach Ayman El-Ramady. The 44-year-old Ferrera arrived in Cairo late on Thursday to finalize the deal and begin preparations for the upcoming Egyptian Premier League season, which kicks off on 8 August. Ferrera, who has previously managed Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden in Belgium, brings valuable experience to the Cairo-based club. He won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege in 2015-16 and led Sint-Truiden to promotion by claiming the Belgian Second Division title in 2014. Managerial career highlights His coaching career began in 2004 with Anderlecht's youth team, where he worked alongside future stars Romelu Lukaku and Adnan Januzaj. He later served as assistant coach to Michel Preud'homme at AA Gent and followed him to Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab. Ferrera took charge of Sint-Truiden in 2013, guiding them to top-flight promotion. He then managed Standard Liege starting in September 2015. More recently, he gained experience in the Saudi Professional League, leading Al-Fateh in 2019 and Al-Riyadh in 2023. In 2024, he joined Belgian side RWD Molenbeek in a relegation battle, but the club was ultimately demoted. Zamalek's search for a new coach Zamalek have been searching for a permanent coach since the departure of Portuguese manager José Peseiro last season. Peseiro was hired in February to replace Swiss coach Christian Gross, becoming the club's third coach that season. Under interim coach Ayman El-Ramady, Zamalek won the Egypt Cup but finished third in the Egyptian Premier League with 47 points, eleven behind champions Ahly. They have qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup for the upcoming season. The Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to run from 8 August through late May next year. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Manchester City and Barcelona man Yaya Toure set for first head coaching role at John Textor's Daring Brussels
HLN are reporting that Daring Brussels, formerly RWDM, are set to appoint Yaya Toure as their new head coach. The former Ivorian midfielder will take on his first role as a head coach in the second tier of Belgian football. Toure is no stranger to the Belgian game, having played for Beveren as a youngster and joining Carl Hoefkens coaching staff at Standard Liege a few seasons ago. Former Manchester City and Barcelona man Toure joins a side surrounded by off field tension. A recent change from RWDM to Daring Brussels has angered many fans, as well as the local authorities in Molenbeek. The club are also owned by John Textor, who has not had the best times of things in recent months. He had to sell his stake in Crystal Palace while also seeing his Lyon side relegated to the second tier of French football. RWDM themselves missed out on promotion on the final day of the season and then disappointed during the play offs. GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson
