Rangers

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A Scotland call-up features on James Penrice's "bucket list", but the defender is focusing on maintaining his impressive Rangers form after missing out on a place in national boss Sebastien Pocognoli's first squad.

Penrice, 27, has become a key figure in Derek McInnes' team since joining on loan from AEK Athens in the summer.

However, he was overlooked by Pocognoli for the upcoming Nations League games against Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia, even though Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney subsequently withdrew with injury, along with midfielder Kenny McLean.

Asked prior to Sunday's 1-0 league win over Celtic at Parkhead, which took Rangers within two points of the league leaders, if there was any expectation of being included in Pocognoli's initial squad, Penrice said: "No, for me I was kind of focusing on just coming back here and trying to enjoy football.

"It's been a mental couple of weeks, so Scotland hasn't really taken up my focus.

"But for me, obviously, I would love to play with Scotland. It would be a bucket list item to tick off.

"It's something everybody dreams of, playing for their country. If I got the chance to do that one day, I'd be buzzing.

"For me, now it's about focusing on Rangers. But if in the future it comes up, then I'd absolutely be delighted.

"If Scotland comes, it comes. If my performances are as good as I want them to be, then hopefully in the future I get a chance to play for my country.

"But at the same time, yes, definitely, a massive club like Rangers should have a team full of internationals.

"Obviously, I want to join that and I want to play for my country. So, hopefully in the future."

Penrice was brought to Ibrox to be provide competition for left-back Tuur Rommens, who has just recently recovered from a groin injury that has kept him out since August 9.

The former Partick Thistle, Livingston and Hearts player is ready to battle with the Belgian to keep his place when domestic football returns.

Penrice said: "Obviously Tuur has come back. I watched a lot of games last year and you could see that Tuur is a very good player.

"So that can only help the squad. Competition in every position is vital and I think you've seen that these last few weeks.

"The boys are fighting and scratching to try and get their name on the teamsheet. So it can only help Rangers. That's the way I see it."

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Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin says he was "mentally ready to leave" Rangers right up until the last few hours of the transfer window but insists it was "beyond my control and that of the club". (Sporza and HLN via Scottish Sun, external)

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Probably the last thing Derek McInnes would have wanted right now was a three-week hiatus between games.

Momentum is a massive factor in football and Rangers had begun to build up plenty of it following back-to-back victories over Celtic, the second of which put them just two points behind their fierce rivals at the top of the Premiership.

Now, with the international break upon us, McInnes will lose several players from training for the best part of a fortnight and he will hope the squad is able to pick up where it left off when it regroups before the home game against Kilmarnock on 10 October.

It gives McInnes plenty of opportunity to reflect on what has begun to work for his side. The two masterclasses against Celtic were, by some distance, their most impressive performances under the new manager.

He will know, though, they are far from the finished article and McInnes was rightly at pains to point out Sunday's win at Celtic Park ultimately yielded only three points in a campaign that is sure to have numerous twists and turns before any silverware is dished out.

But equally, he acknowledged how important those three points were. Had the game gone the other way, an eight-point lead for Celtic would have looked daunting and any feelgood factor engendered by the previous weekend's League Cup triumph would have all but evaporated.

Instead, Rangers know they will go top of the table by beating Kilmarnock in their next game, with Celtic on a three-match losing streak and facing a trip to Motherwell the following day.

This is all in stark contrast to the scenario just a few weeks ago and McInnes deserves a lot of credit for turning things round. His side has gone from a team that looked uncoached to one that knows its individual roles inside out and collectively looks hungry and sharp.

There is clearly still work to be done before supporters can get too carried away, but there are certainly signs of better things to come.

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Defender Clinton Nsiala has left Rangers to join Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed fee.

Frenchman Nsiala, 22, moved to Ibrox in summer 2024 under Philippe Clement but last featured in January this year.

Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Belgian side Westerlo, Nsiala leaves Rangers after 17 appearances, scoring once.

He has signed a two-year deal with Sharjah, who are currently seventh in the UAE Pro League.

Celtic and Rangers are among a long list of clubs keen on a January loan move for Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman, who turns 17 on 31 December. (TeamTalk, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Defender Olwethu Makhanya has warned there's more to come from resurgent Rangers once they learn to be clinical.

The Ibrox side have recovered from a poor start to Derek McInnes' reign by winning six straight games, including rare back-to-back derby wins over Celtic in the League Cup and Premiership respectively.

McInnes' men have conceded just one goal during their winning run, but four of the victories have been a single goal. And while Rangers have had the most shots in the Premiership this season - 143 - their conversion rate of 5.6% is the lowest in the division.

South Africa centre-back Makhanya, who signed in the summer from MLS side Philadelphia Union on a four-year deal, was a colossus in Sunday's 3-0 victory at Celtic Park.

"I definitely feel there's more to come from this team," he said.

"The importance of clean sheets, this is a conversation we always have with our attacking players that, you know what, we're going to do a job in the back and we trust you guys to create and score chances.

"And over the few games, we've created chances, taking some and not able to take some. So we are just hoping that, as time goes on, we will get more clinical.

"It's going to be really important for us to stay together.

"And it's something that we've been working very hard on as a team, spending more time together, understanding each other, and I think it shows in the games, the willingness to fight, and we trust each other."

Makhanya, while not downplaying consecutive wins over Celtic, insists there is a long way to go before it becomes more significant.

He said: "It's a really good feeling. Going there, we knew it was going to be a difficult game, especially after last week.

"We had to be 100% focused from the start, and that's exactly what we did there. It's a really long season, so we're just taking one game at a time. It's been a good run, but there's more work to do."

Makhanya praised the huge contingent of Rangers fans who turned up at Ibrox early on Sunday morning to cheer their team on their way to Parkhead.

He said: "As soon as we came out of Ibrox, there was fans outside. I don't want to lie, when I saw them cheering and all that, it really fired us up."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

What an outstanding week. From a 3-0 cup victory at Ibrox to silencing 60,000 at Parkhead with another impressive win.

We had been told it would be a completely different game. It was different all right.

Rangers lined up with the same personnel and shape, while Celtic changed it up as Martin O'Neill went back to the early 2000s with an initial 3-5-2 - but the quality of player is just not there.

Rangers look well drilled, disciplined, physically imposing and much better than their rivals.

It was a good team performance yet again with strong individual performances: Olwethu Makanhya, Dujon Sterling, Nicolas Raskin, Dan Neil and Ryan Naderi, who carried on in the same manner as last week - his winning goal was a great finish.

The xG disparity - Rangers' 1.3 compared to 0.7 for Celtic - further emphasises the dominance. We had eight shots on target, Celtic mustered only one.

As games at Parkhead go it's as comfortable as it will get.

Derek McInnes deserves a lot of credit; two massive wins in a week and he has the side looking like a Rangers team should be.

We've come a long way in six games. But we are still two points behind and it's only one game. We have to tap into this momentum and be right on it when the football starts again in October.

Vice-captain Dan Neil admits Rangers "probably weren't ready for" their European fixtures earlier this season, which ultimately ended with exits from the Europa and Conference Leagues. (Premier Sports on YouTube, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers will carry the "awesome" feeling of back-to-back derby victories through the international break, says Parkhead hero Ryan Naderi.

The German striker, 23, scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Rangers moved to within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership, having knocked Celtic out of the League Cup a week earlier.

His all-round game was impressive as he led Rangers' press, ran channels and linked play, in addition to his tidy first-time finish.

"It's awesome, to be honest, to win two times against Celtic, and then go into a break is an amazing feeling," Naderi said.

"You will carry this throughout the whole days and weeks off.

"We have to still understand that we have a whole season in front of us still.

"So we should just keep this up, not fly too high, just stay focused and keep going as we are, stay together as a team, even in bad times and good times, it's just important to always stick together as a team and go forward.

"Really big [win] honestly, really big."

Naderi, who shook off an ankle injury to start on Sunday, says the team spirit in the Rangers dressing room is now obvious after a tricky start to the campaign.

"With the win at home we wanted to go there and show that we can do it away as well," he said.

"Amazing fight from the whole team, good spirit from the whole game and just so happy to win there.

"I think you see this togetherness, by the goals we concede, not many. We play a lot of games to zero.

"That means that we just are very compact, we work together, look at each other, where the person next to you stands, and when you're so stable defensively, you will always have chances to score and then you win games."

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Defender Olwethu Makhanya hailed Rangers' focus as they sealed another derby victory over Celtic on Sunday.

Ryan Naderi's first-half goal was the difference between the sides at Parkhead as Rangers moved within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Having kept four successive clean sheets, Makhanya says his partnership at the back with Emmanuel Fernandez is growing game by game.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game, so we told ourselves we need to be 100% focused through the whole game and that's what we did as a team," he told RangersTV.

"The partnership and relationship between me and Fernandez is growing really good - the togetherness and willingness to fight for one another has been really helpful."

The 22-year-old had a stunning volley disallowed for handball, but he says he suspected it would be chalked off.

"I wasn't sure whether to celebrate because I knew it hit my hand, but I went and celebrated anyway."

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Celtic remain the team to beat despite Rangers' back-to-back derby wins, according to Ian Durrant.

Celtic have lost three straight matches in all competitions, including the two defeats by Rangers, but remain two points ahead of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Durrant - who won 13 major honours as a player at Ibrox - is excited by Rangers' recent form, but says they still have work to do to be considered Scotland's top team.

"Rangers are very young and inexperienced but they're sticking together and they're showing signs that they could be a good team," the 59-year-old said, speaking at a press conference to promote the SPFL Tennent's Sixes at Glasgow's Braehead Arena next month.

"They've got a lot of physicality about them. But it's very early days now, nothing's given out in September.

"You've got to make sure you go on a run now and make sure you hang on to Celtic.

"There's a lot of hard work still to do. It's good just now but there's a lot of tough games coming up.

"Celtic are the benchmark for where Rangers are trying to get to. We're still chasing Celtic. They're the team to beat.

"Rangers have not got that experience just now. Rangers are playing well just now but Celtic have got that experience, players that have been over the course.

"They're what all teams are trying to aim for. If we can overtake Celtic then we've got a fair chance of winning the league."

We asked for your views after Rangers beat Celtic for the second time in a week and moved within two points of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership

Here's what some of you had to say:

Derek: It's the beginning for Rangers and the beginning of the end for Celtic. We are gaining confidence to go with our work rate and physicality. It is a Rangers I can identify with, what we have wanted as fans. Directness, power, running and a strong bond. Ryan Naderi has been superb up front and has epitomised what has been the message. Olwethu Makhanya is an incredible signing and unflappable.

Louise: I had wondered if a repeat of last weekend was possible, but what a performance again from Rangers. Makhanya and Naderi were both excellent, Dan Neil controlled the midfield and that was probably Dujon Sterling's best performance in a Rangers shirt. If we had taken our chances and had a bit more quality in the final third it could have been a cricket score, but one goal was enough to silence Parkhead. This team have grown up very quickly and have now shown what they are capable of so hopefully they will only continue to go and improve. Derek McInnes has made his mark as Rangers manager now and whatever happens next, we must let him build on it.

Sally: Last week it was Dan Neil running the midfield, this week it was Nico Raskin. Naderi was outstanding upfront and Djeidi Gassama so unlucky with his shot on goal. I was surprised McInnes did not change his tactics and that Celtic did not learn from last week's result.

Chris: Wasn't too sure of Makhanya when he first signed but today's performance was like a kick about in the back garden with the kids for him. The finish for his disallowed goal was absolutely stunning too.

Brian: A great all-round display from the goalkeeper to the centre-forward. This game was a perfect opportunity to show everyone that this team can be successful. Rangers play far better with the 4-4-2 formation in my opinion.

Rangers secured back-to-back wins over Celtic after following a 3-0 League Cup win at Ibrox with a 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory at Celtic Park.

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday was on punditry duty for BBC Scotland and he praised manager Derek McInnes for improving the Ibrox side's fortunes after an early-season European exit.

"Take it back a month when Derek McInnes was under real pressure," Halliday said. "A big thing that was quite confusing to people is, 'it doesn't look like a Derek McInnes team'.

"Wow, how that narrative has completely changed over the last three, four weeks. That for me is a Derek McInnes team, what we watched. Front foot, aggressive, making contact with people, when they win the ball back playing forward, running forward and putting Celtic under constant pressure for large parts of the game.

"The second half was even better than the first from Rangers. Complete control, waves of attack. It wasn't until probably the last five, 10 minutes when Celtic started to put Rangers under any pressure.

"I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Rangers team go to Celtic Park and get so many easy touches of the ball. I thought there was an M8 motorway between the teams and not the width of the M8, probably the length."

Ryan Naderi scored the game's only goal before half-time and former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands was impressed with how McInnes and the visitors picked up the three points.

"Coming here now, at Celtic Park and winning for two in a row is an unbelievable achievement for him and the team and the club," said the Dane.

"For Rangers, it's going to give them so much confidence."

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Rangers earned a second Old Firm derby win in a week to cut the gap to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to two points and deepen the gloom at their city rivals.

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Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "It's such an important win for us. To follow it up on the back of last week was really important.

"In the context of the season, it's just three points and it gets us three points closer to Celtic. We understood if we lost the game, that distance just starts to feel uncomfortable for us.

"It's still very early on. There's still 80-odd points to play for but I do think that winning here, particularly because we've got a young team, can only give them some much-needed confidence and belief on the back of last week.

"I like putting my name to this team at the minute and I think we've got a good thing going but we know how quickly that can change so we just try to keep those bad days to a minimum."