Rangers

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Rabbi Matondo is "one of, if not the most frustrating player in the league," according to Marvin Bartley.

The Wales international delivered a superb individual performance in Rangers' rampant showing against Ross County - scoring twice and adding two assists - but Bartley doesn't think he puts in such impactful displays often enough.

"Matondo is probably one of the most frustrating players, if not the most frustrating player in the league because on his day, he can do what he did at the weekend, and then far too often we see him not perform anyway near that level," Bartley said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's a player with potential, but he needs to somehow find a way to take games by the scruff of the neck like he did against County."

Matondo wasn't the only one who starred in the thrashing of County, with many top performances from Philippe Clement's side. Bartley believes it came at the "perfect time" before next weekend's Old Firm derby.

"It was a perfect time and for Rangers going into obviously the massive game coming up on Sunday," he added.

"They'll be delighted with that, the fans will be delighted and they'll be in a buoyant mood now.

"Training this week I'm sure will be a much higher level than it has been when they have been scraping through games, but they're going have to be at that level again, if not better, to try and get anything against a rampant Celtic."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Rangers comprehensively beat Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday, and have two players in my Team of the Week as a result.

Rabbi Matondo was superb on Saturday. He demonstrated what a difference maker he can be on his day. Can he do it consistently though? And will he even still be at Rangers beyond this weekend with so much speculation about his future?

Cyriel Dessers is an example to everyone of the importance of believing in yourself, and he's getting the rewards for his superb attitude. Despite the criticisms the goals keep flowing, and it was an overall accomplished display from the Nigeria international. He seemed to take fewer touches in key areas against County - to great effect.

Rangers are in talks with John Souttar about a new contract and an agreement is close over a long-term deal beyond the 27-year-old Scotland centre-back's current summer 2026 as manager Philippe Clement looks to avoid a repeat of this year's freedom-of-contract exits by John Lundstram and Borna Barasic. (Daily Record), external

Rapid Bucharest will offer to make Ianis Hagi their top earner, which could rise to £423,400 per year, to persuade the Rangers midfielder to return to Romania, but it would mean a wage cut from the £1.1m the 25-year-old earns at Ibrox. (Spotmedia), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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In: Robin Propper, defender (Twente, undisclosed); Jefte, defender (Fluminese, undisclosed); Hamza Igamane, forward (FAR Rabat, undisclosed); Connor Barron, midfielder (Aberdeen, undisclosed); Mohamed Diomande, midfielder (Nordsjaelland, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Liam Kelly, goalkeeper (Motherwell); Clinton Nsiala, defender (AC Milan).

Loan in: Vaclav Cerny, forward (Wolfsburg); Oscar Cortes, forward (Lens).

Out: Connor Goldson, defender (Aris Limassol, undisclosed); Sam Lammers, forward (Twente, undisclosed); John Lundstram, midfielder (Trabzonspor); Borna Barisic, defender (Trabzonspor); Robby McCrorie, goalkeeper (Kilmarnock, undisclosed); Arron Lyall, forward (Greenock Morton); Ryan Jack, midfielder; Kemar Roofe, forward; Jon McLaughlin, goalkeeper.

Loan ended: Abdallah Sima, forward (Brighton & Hove Albion); Fabio Silva, forward (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Loan out: Jose Cifuentes, midfielder (Aris Thessaloniki); Ben Davies, defender (Birmingham City); Johnly Yfeko, defender (Exeter City); Kieran Wright, goalkeeper (Airdrieonians); Jay Hogarth, goalkeeper (Queen of the South); Jacob Pazikas, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Jack Harkness, defender (Stirling Albion).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

We asked for your thoughts after Rangers put six past Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Elaine: So much better. Really pleased for big Cyriel Dessers. He works so hard and if he stays, will be the top goal scorer in the league. Does Connor Barron have an identical twin on the park? What an engine this boy has and covers every blade of grass. He's definitely the steal of the season.

Josh: Lots to be positive about. Vaclav Cerny will be huge for us this season. Mohamed Diomande changed the game and immediately contributed to a goal within 10 seconds of coming on. Barron bossed the midfield without breaking a sweat. Jefte is a huge improvement on Borna Barisic. Tom Lawrence, Dessers and Rabbi Matondo also showed their quality. Just need to add strength in depth.

Paul: Really strong performance albeit against a really poor County side. You can see relationships building throughout the team and it's nice to see wingers driving to the byline and cutting the ball back rather than hopeful crosses coming into the opposition box being easily cleared by their tall centre-backs. Lots to build on.

Stu: Big result to give them a confidence boost just in time for the Old Firm game. It's early days, players are still getting the fitness and sharpness back. Hopefully Celtic write us off and we can take advantage of that.

Alexander: A much-needed confidence boost but still much more required. Rangers still lacking quality and other teams will not be quite so easily beaten. It's good that goals are coming from other players as Dessers cannot lead the line on his own. Next week will be a much harder test and give us a better guide as to where we are.

Callum: A much-improved performance and Dessers has show recently that he can maybe become the permanent striker we've been looking for. Yet again Barron is a revelation in midfield and could turn out to be one of our best signings in a long time.

Watch highlights as Rangers put six past Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

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Danilo says his long road back from injury was all worth it after he came off the bench to score in Rangers' 6-0 win over Ross County on Saturday.

The Brazilian striker injured his knee against Hearts last December, and having made his return to first-team action against St Johnstone in the League Cup last weekend, he went a step further by scoring his first goal in nine months when he slotted past Ross Laidlaw in the County goal.

"I don't have words to describe how special that was because all the rehab, all the process that has been made," he said.

"I thank so much the staff, the physio as well for all the hard work they've been doing with me to prepare myself for this moment.

"I have prepared myself in my head 'are you ready?' From that moment I had in my head that every minute I would show that I am back fit.

"Since my rehab I was always trying to rush things. Trying to speak with the manager, I feel good, I feel ready.

"But obviously he knows how to protect our players. Especially myself because I always want to rush things.

"It's been a really long rehab, really difficult for me at some period. But when you look back it was worth it to wait.

"Saturday was the best time to have the chance of scoring. In the last game as well I had some opportunities.

"I was really training hard the whole week. Just preparing myself for every minute, every chance I get. Trying to score.

"I got so much emotion about that. Hopefully there is many more to come. I’m delighted for the result. It was a great game. Everybody was willing to show the quality and get the chance when we got the opportunity. Everybody did a great job."

Hannibal Mejbri has been given the green light to leave Manchester United amid rising interest in the midfielder - with Rangers among the chasing pack for the 21-year-old. (Daily Express, print edition)

Ianis Hagi would prefer to remain with Rangers, but if the midfielder does move on, the 25-year-old is unlikely to choose a return to his native Romania despite interest from Rapid Bucharest and Universitatea. (Sky Sports), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo delivered superb individual displays as rampant Rangers dismantled struggling Ross County in a six-goal Scottish Premiership victory.

In what could be their final league match at Hampden, Philippe Clement’s men delivered a terrific performance a week out from the season's first Old Firm derby.

Nigeria striker Dessers slammed in the opener at the national stadium when he latched on to Tom Lawrence's through ball and Rangers took total control thereafter.

Lawrence then pulled a golden chance wide before Matondo cracked the crossbar, but the latter found the second just before the break when he cushioned in James Tavernier's inch-perfect cross.

Rangers' intensity did not dip after the interval as Matondo provided two second-half assists, firstly teeing up Dessers to divert in his fifth goal in six games and setting up Lawrence to roll past a helpless Ross Laidlaw.

Matondo notched his second and the Ibrox side's fifth, turning in Vaclav Cerny's cross from the right, before comical defending allowed substitute Danilo to complete the rout by poking in his first goal since November.

Aside from two Ronan Hale efforts, one which forced Jack Butland into a fine stop and another that was headed wide, County offered next to nothing and were completely overwhelmed for the majority.

Were you at Hampden or following the game elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement tells BBC Scotland: "We should have scored 10 or 11 today to have a perfect afternoon."

On Cyriel Dessers: "It's clear Cyriel is taking the right steps and becoming more and more important. He's growing as a player, that’s what we want. He's somebody who's eager to become better."

On Rabbi Matondo: "There are a lot of rumours [linking him away]. We cannot say no to everything, we'll see this week. For the moment... Rabbi will be here with us next week. That's what I want also. But if someone comes with enough money, the club will always be open for talks."

Clement adds that it is "crucial" Rangers add to their squad next week and confirms the plan is still for Ianis Hagi to move on.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Philippe Clement has been searching for a 90-minute performance and his team delivered that by securing the biggest win of the Belgian's tenure.

The only negative for the Rangers boss is another injury to Leon Balogun, which meant the versatile Dujon Sterling had to fill in at centre-back with John Souttar for the entire second half.

But Clement and his players will still travel to Celtic Park feeling good about themselves after a scintillating display.

There was fluidity in Rangers' build-up as James Tavernier often found himself in central areas, giving the Ibrox side an extra body in midfield to progress play.

But the stars of the six-goal show were Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers, who now has 12 goals in his last 16 Premiership starts.

Last season, Dessers' fifth goal came in mid-November. The much-maligned striker is on that tally already after just six games this term.

Fans will continue to doubt the Nigerian until he delivers on the biggest stage - next Sunday's derby is the acid test.

Philippe Clement makes four changes following Rangers' League Cup win over St Johnstone last weekend.

Leon Balogun is fit again and replaces Robin Propper at centre-back, while Connor Barron and Tom Lawrence come into midfield in place of Kieran Dowell and Mohamed Diomande.

In the final switch, Danilo drops to the bench as Cyriel Dessers returns up front.

Ben Davies is nowhere to be seen amid reports the centre-half is set to join Birmingham City on loan.

• Follow live text coverage and listen to commentary from Hampden

Meanwhile, Don Cowie switches three in the County side following their shock League Cup defeat by fourth-tier Spartans last Saturday.

Defenders Akil Wright and Michee Efete are back in the XI, replacing Ryan Leak and James Brown.

The final change is in attacking midfield, with Noah Chilvers dropping out for Jack Grieves.

New signing Joshua Nisbet, the midfielder previously with Central Coast Mariners, is on the bench.

Rangers central defender Ben Davies is set to complete a loan move to Birmingham City. (Rangers Review - subscription required)

Click here to read Saturday's Scottish football gossip in full.

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Abdallah Sima has penned an emotional goodbye to Rangers after joining Stade Brestois on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 23-year-old Senegal forward made 40 appearances on loan to the Ibrox club last season, scoring 16 goals.

There appeared to be a desire on behalf of both the player and the Scottish Premiership outfit for him to return this summer.

But on Wednesday he joined the side who finished third in Ligue 1 last season and will be playing in the Champions League this term.

"The time has come for me to say goodbye to a club for which I have a lot of affection, for which I took immense pleasure in playing," Sima said on Instagram.

"It is very difficult to find the words, but I would like to thank all the club staff, the staff, my team-mates, and especially you, the supporters, who have always been there for me and for the club. It’s you who makes this club so special."

Sima thanked former Rangers manager Michael Beale for signing him last summer - and present Ibrox boss Philippe Clement for helping him "realise my dream" of a League Cup winners' medal.

The forward is yet to make an appearance for Brighton since joining the club in 2021 from Slavia Prague and had not featured under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler since their pre-season friendlies.

Brest are Sima's fourth loan club after spells with Stoke City and Angers before joining Rangers.

Brighton technical director David Weir noted his "successful period with Rangers" but suggested the latest loan would "give him the opportunity to get regular minutes in a good league".

Philippe Clement talks to the media before Rangers' Scottish Premiership match against Ross County.

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Rangers defender Leon Balogun is fit again and midfielder Nico Raskin has returned to training after an ankle injury. Scott Wright and Robin Propper are doubts, while Oscar Cortes (knee) is expected to return to training next week though left-back Ridvan Yilmaz remains out.

Akil Wright, Scott Allardice and Michee Efete are back in contention for County while Max Sheaf (thigh) and Ricki Lamie (Achilles) are longer-term absentees.

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Connor Barron believes "there is lots more to come" after a promising start to his Rangers career which has ramped up rumours of a Scotland call-up.

The midfielder has caught the eye since joining in the summer from Aberdeen and surprised some, but not himself.

"I know what I can do, what I can bring to the team and I know what we've got here," the 21-year-old said as he previewed the weekend's game against Ross County.

"It's about me focusing on what I can improve. I know there is lots more to come from me, this is just the start."

There has been speculation Barron is in line for a call-up to Steve Clarke's Scotland squad, which will be named on Tuesday, but he insists his is fully focused on the task at hand.

"My performances on the pitch are what merits that; if it comes along I'll be buzzing," he added.

"It's outwith my hands, I do my talking on the pitch, I try and perform as well as I can and if it happens, it happens. It's all about me being a Rangers player and doing my job for the club.

"It's an aim of mine, but first and foremost it's what I do on the pitch for Rangers. If I am putting in performances for Rangers, you never know what can happen."

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“I still have pain in my stomach if I think about our game last season against Ross County."

Phillipe Clement won't be the only one with a Rangers persuasion to feel such emotions when thinking back to County's first win over the Ibrox club last term.

The Staggies win in Dingwall left Clement's side ultimately requiring a win at Celtic Park to keep their title hopes alive, something which didn't transpire.

The Rangers manager hasn't quite managed to rid that thought, but he hopes a win on Saturday will create a happier memory and add to the "excitement" he has towards next weekend's Old Firm derby.

"We know it’s a tough opponent who will do everything to take us out of the game," he said as he expressed his glee at enjoying a full week's training with his side.

"It doesn’t happen so much that you have a full week, so that was interesting that we could train on things, that we could work also with players coming back out of injury so in that way, positive."

Clement also quashed rumours of a serious wrist injury to Dujon Sterling, saying "rumours he was out for months, all that panic, totally not true".

"Towards next week - and I touch wood, because we still have a game - but next week I expect everybody back apart from Ridvan Yilmaz.”