• Derek McInnes signs three-year contract to become Rangers manager
• He replaces Danny Röhl following the German’s move to RB Salzburg
• McInnes joins after guiding Hearts to second place in the Scottish Premiership
• Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd says the appointment shows strong belief
• The new boss faces a major squad rebuild ahead of the new season

Rangers Football Club have named Derek McInnes as their new manager. The 54-year-old has agreed to a three-year deal at Ibrox Stadium. He takes charge following the departure of Danny Röhl, who left to manage Austrian side RB Salzburg.

McInnes arrives in Glasgow after a successful spell with Hearts. Last season, he led the Edinburgh club to second place in the Scottish Premiership table. They finished eight points clear of Rangers in the standings.

Former Rangers forward Kris Boyd has praised the decision. He told Sky Sports News that the club should have hired McInnes years ago. Boyd believes the new manager brings firm principles and self-confidence to the role.

This is not the first time McInnes has been linked with the position. In 2017, he nearly joined Rangers but chose to remain at Aberdeen for four more seasons. He left Pittodrie by mutual consent before moving to Kilmarnock.

The Scottish boss has built a solid record in the domestic game. He won promotion to the top flight with Kilmarnock and later secured European qualification. During his eight years at Aberdeen, he built teams that challenged Celtic for silverware. Last term, he took Hearts within minutes of a historic league title.

Boyd noted that McInnes sticks to his own methods rather than relying on outside help. He also criticised Scottish football for often overlooking local coaches.

McInnes becomes the sixth permanent manager since Steven Gerrard left the club in 2021. He is the first boss to move directly from another Scottish top-flight team since Alex McLeish joined from Hibernian over two decades ago.

The new manager faces a busy summer transfer window. Chief Executive Jim Gillespie and Technical Director Dan Purdy are working with him on recruitment. Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has already signed from Hearts on a two-year deal. However, club captain James Tavernier has departed after 11 years of service.

Boyd believes Rangers need five or six new players. He said McInnes has always worked well with tight budgets and knows how to build winning sides.

Rangers have won the Scottish Premiership only once since 2011. They have also claimed just one Scottish Cup and one League Cup during that period. The new manager will face immediate pressure to bring trophies back to the club.

• Derek McInnes joins Rangers FC on a three-year contract as the new manager
• He replaces Danny Röhl, who left the Scottish club to join RB Salzburg this week
• McInnes departs Heart of Midlothian after guiding them to second place in the Scottish Premiership
• The 54-year-old previously played for Rangers between 1995 and 2000
• He brings three assistants with him, including Alan Archibald and Paul Sheerin

Rangers FC have named Derek McInnes as their new manager. The Scottish coach has signed a three-year agreement with the Glasgow club.

McInnes arrives from Heart of Midlothian, where he spent just one season. During that time, he led the Edinburgh side to second position in the Scottish Premiership. They finished only behind Celtic and eight points clear of Rangers in third place.

He takes charge at Ibrox following the departure of Danny Röhl. The German coach left Scotland earlier this week to become head coach at Austrian club RB Salzburg after less than eight months in the role.

This appointment brings McInnes back to a familiar place. He wore the Rangers shirt as a midfielder between 1995 and 2000. Interestingly, he turned down the opportunity to manage the club several years ago while he was in charge at Aberdeen.

McInnes will not work alone. He brings a team of three assistants with him. Alan Archibald, Paul Sheerin and Craig Clark will all form part of the new backroom staff at the club.

The new manager expressed his happiness about the move. “It is a real honour to become the manager of Rangers,” he said. “I grew up as a supporter of this club. I am certain that now is the right time to take on this important job.”

He also spoke about the pressure of the position. “Our supporters rightly have high expectations. It is my job, along with my staff and players, to meet those expectations. We must have this club performing as it should.”

Andrew Cavenagh, the chairman of Rangers, welcomed the appointment. He stated that the board has always rated McInnes very highly. “His deep knowledge of Scottish football and Rangers is vital for us. He knows how to win in this league,” Cavenagh explained.

Heart of Midlothian have confirmed that Rangers paid compensation for McInnes and his coaches. The club thanked them for their work and stated that they understood his decision to pursue this opportunity.

The Edinburgh club also announced that they have already started searching for a new manager. They hope to make an appointment quickly.

McInnes faces a significant challenge at Rangers. The club has won the Scottish Premiership title only once since 2011. During that same period, they have claimed just one Scottish Cup and one League Cup.

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes McInnes is the right choice. “He has shown that he is a top operator in Scottish football,” Boyd said. “He was very unlucky last season with Hearts. He knows how to build squads that can challenge for trophies.”

Boyd added that the squad needs new players. “Rangers need a major overhaul this summer. They need five or six new signings. McInnes has always made the best use of his budget at previous clubs.”

The club has already started rebuilding the team. Scotland international Lawrence Shankland has joined from Heart of Midlothian on a free transfer. He scored 20 goals last season and has signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year.

• Danny Röhl exits Rangers after seven months to become head coach of Austrian Bundesliga club RB Salzburg
• The German manager departs by mutual agreement following a late-season collapse that saw the Glasgow side finish third
• Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh praises Röhl for rescuing the team from the lower half of the table after he replaced Russell Martin in October
• Performance manager Sascha Lense and analyst Tristan Steiner will also leave the Scottish giants alongside Röhl
• Hearts manager and former Rangers player Derek McInnes is now the favourite to take charge at Ibrox

Rangers Football Club have officially announced that head coach Danny Röhl has left the club to join RB Salzburg. The 37-year-old German departs Ibrox by mutual agreement after less than a year in Scotland, with the Scottish Premiership side confirming they received a significant compensation package for his release.

Röhl arrived at the Glasgow club in October following the sacking of Russell Martin. He initially sparked a remarkable recovery, guiding the team from the lower half of the standings into genuine title contention. However, the campaign ended poorly as Rangers lost their final four matches after the league split, eventually settling for third place.

The coach will be joined in Austria by performance manager Sascha Lense and first-team analyst Tristan Steiner, who are also exiting the club. Andrew Cavenagh, the Rangers chairman, thanked Röhl for his efforts during a difficult period and wished him success in his new role.

Attention now turns to finding a replacement. Derek McInnes, currently managing Heart of Midlothian and a former Rangers midfielder, has emerged as the top target. The 54-year-old Scot previously rejected the chance to manage the club in 2017, but sources suggest he is unlikely to turn down the position again. Former boss Steven Gerrard has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.

The club has stated that an official announcement regarding the new appointment will follow shortly.

• Liam Kelly travels to the United States as Scotland’s third-choice goalkeeper with just three international caps to his name
• The 30-year-old Rangers backup has earned praise as the squad’s unofficial ‘hype man’ and chief morale booster
• Manager Steve Clarke highlights his character and work ethic, while teammates joke about his unusual bonding methods
• Kelly accepts his limited playing role and focuses on creating a positive atmosphere for the starting players

When Scotland teammates labelled Liam Kelly their official “hype man”, the goalkeeper reacted with genuine confusion. The 30-year-old shot-stopper, who serves as third choice for the national side, laughed that this energy comes naturally when match minutes are scarce. “You need to bring something to the party,” he joked, acknowledging his supporting role within the squad.

Kelly heads to the World Cup with only three international appearances and a handful of games for Rangers last season. An injury crisis would be required for him to step onto the pitch during the tournament. However, his value to Steve Clarke’s squad extends far beyond making saves between the posts.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, the keeper played down his influence. He simply wants his teammates to deliver maximum effort against every opponent. “Don’t disappoint the opposition by bringing half measures,” he explained. “Just go for it.”

The Scotland manager values these intangible qualities highly. While supporters often demand that only in-form players make the squad, Clarke emphasizes the importance of characters who strengthen team bonds. He described Kelly as an excellent third-choice keeper who works tirelessly during training sessions, commands deep respect from his peers, and maintains an outstanding character throughout the camp.

Teammates paint a more humorous picture of his contributions. Norwich City midfielder Kenny McLean calls Kelly the most positive person he has ever met, joking that this includes personally shaving defender Grant Hanley’s back. Whether this grooming ritual is genuine or merely locker-room banter remains unclear, but it perfectly captures the light-hearted atmosphere that Kelly creates.

The goalkeeper’s relentless optimism might stem from his unusual health routines, which include wearing red-tinted sunglasses at night to aid melatonin production and sleep quality. His infectious enthusiasm was clearly visible when McLean scored against Denmark in November, with Kelly leading the charge from the bench to celebrate the goal.

Strong personal relationships define his presence within the group. He sits beside captain Andy Robertson during team flights and shares close bonds with senior figures like Hanley and McLean, despite spending most matchdays as an unused substitute.

Before returning to Rangers, Kelly enjoyed four productive years as Motherwell’s first-choice keeper. Former colleague Andy Halliday recalls how Kelly organized team fines, arranged social events, and hosted card games similar to “The Traitors” during long journeys – activities specifically designed to build squad unity.

Halliday first encountered Kelly as a teenager in the Rangers youth system, noting that his bold, confident Glasgow character immediately stood out among older professionals. The fact that Kelly’s closest friends at the time were senior players like Halliday, Lee Wallace, and Kenny Miller spoke volumes about his mature personality.

Halliday believes Kelly’s willingness to offer honest opinions and emotional support, regardless of his own playing status, makes him invaluable to Scotland’s World Cup campaign. Kelly fully understands that his primary contribution will happen off the pitch rather than on it. As Scotland prepares for the tournament, his role as chief cheerleader, team barber, and vocal supporter ensures he remains an essential, if unconventional, member of Clarke’s final squad.

• Bayer 04 Leverkusen are searching for a new head coach for next season.
• Rangers FC manager Danny Röhl has emerged as a potential candidate.
• Oliver Glasner remains the top target according to reports from Germany.
• Girona FC boss Míchel is also in the running after holding talks last year.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are hunting for a new head coach. The Bundesliga side needs to look at fresh options. Kasper Hjulmand’s future is unclear, and Fabian Hürzeler is off the table. Now, the club has added more names to its list.

Rangers FC boss Danny Röhl has joined the shortlist. This news comes from FußballTransfers.com. The Scottish club’s manager is one of many options for the Rhineland side.

German newspaper BILD says Oliver Glasner is the best pick for success. The club has held talks with him before. They know each other well. However, bosses worry that Glasner likes to fight with the board when he wants the best for his team.

BILD also lists Míchel from Girona FC as a third choice. The 50-year-old Spaniard will leave his club when his deal ends. Ajax want him too, but he prefers to work in England or Germany. Last year, Leverkusen spoke to him about replacing Xabi Alonso. They have kept in touch ever since.

• Celtic supporters need Rangers to defeat Heart of Midlothian to keep their title dreams alive
• Heart of Midlothian fans hope their city neighbours Hibernian can stop Celtic at Easter Road
• Only four matches remain in the closest Scottish Premiership title race in recent seasons

Scottish football supporters face an uncomfortable position this weekend. Fans of Celtic and Heart of Midlothian must hope their biggest enemies win crucial matches. This unusual situation comes from the tight battle for the Scottish Premiership trophy.

Celtic travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian on Sunday. The match kicks off at 12:00 BST. Twenty-nine hours later, Heart of Midlothian host Rangers at Tynecastle Stadium. That clash starts at 17:30 on Monday evening.

The current league table creates this strange dilemma. Heart of Midlothian sit at the summit with a three-point advantage over Celtic. Rangers occupy third place, one point behind Celtic and four points off the top.

If Celtic defeat Hibernian, they will draw level with Heart of Midlothian on points. However, the defending champions would remain second due to an inferior goal difference. This result would force Celtic fans to cheer for Rangers against Heart of Midlothian the following day.

A victory for Rangers would create a three-way tie at the top between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, with Rangers one point behind. Celtic would then control their own destiny. They could win the league by taking maximum points from their remaining fixtures, which include a home Old Firm derby and a final-day meeting with Heart of Midlothian.

Heart of Midlothian supporters face the opposite problem. They need their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian to stop Celtic on Sunday. Hibernian still harbour hopes of European qualification next season through a fifth-place finish.

One Heart of Midlothian supporter, Liam Corbett, spoke to the BBC Scottish Football Podcast. He believes Hibernian players will remain professional against Celtic. However, he suggests they might lack their usual intensity knowing that a Celtic win damages their city rivals’ title chances.

Celtic fan Paul John Dykes also spoke to the same podcast. He admitted that a Rangers victory on Monday would serve Celtic best. He stopped short of saying he would support Rangers officially, but acknowledged the mathematics of the title race demand it.

Dykes explained that Celtic require help to catch Heart of Midlothian. He noted that the goal difference situation makes the task even more difficult for his team. Rangers remain dangerous opponents despite recent struggles, including a 3-2 home defeat to Motherwell that damaged their title hopes.

Four matches remain for each club. The championship could still go to any of the top three teams. This weekend’s fixtures will prove decisive in determining who lifts the trophy next month.

• Chris Sutton believes Rangers FC stand a better chance than Celtic FC of winning the Scottish Premiership title this term.
• The former Celtic striker criticised the Parkhead club’s displays under interim manager Martin O’Neill.
• Sutton praised Heart of Midlothian FC and manager Derek McInnes for their sustained challenge at the top.

Chris Sutton has caused debate by backing Rangers FC to win the Scottish Premiership ahead of his former club Celtic FC. The former striker gave his view even though Rangers are four points behind current leaders Heart of Midlothian FC.

Celtic FC recently moved into second place after Motherwell beat Rangers at Ibrox. However, Sutton does not believe the Hoops can win the title even though betting firms now list Martin O’Neill’s team as favourites to keep their crown.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton said he doubts Celtic’s quality. “I watch Celtic every week. Even on Saturday night against Falkirk, they just aren’t convincing,” he said.

The former forward, who won trophies under O’Neill as a player, questioned whether the interim manager can guide the team through their last four matches. Sutton specifically noted worries about their next match away to Hibernian FC.

Sutton also said that a Celtic win would look bad for Scottish football. He pointed to the club’s manager changes this season, which has seen three different coaches including two short spells from O’Neill.

At the same time, Sutton praised Heart of Midlothian FC and their manager Derek McInnes. He said their unbeaten home record at Tynecastle is excellent and insisted the Edinburgh club deserve credit for staying at the top since September.

The pundit said the next match between Hearts and Rangers could decide the race. “If Hearts beat Rangers, essentially I think that is Rangers out of it,” Sutton stated.

Despite Celtic’s place in the table, Sutton said Rangers FC have better form. He ruled out the chance of Celtic winning a 14th championship in 15 years, saying that poor performances will finally cost them.

• Heart of Midlothian FC hold a three-point lead over Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership with only four matches left to play
• Forward Claudio Braga reveals the Hearts dressing room has held title ambitions in secret for much of the current campaign
• The Edinburgh club will host Rangers FC at Tynecastle on May 4 in a vital clash that could decide the championship outcome

Heart of Midlothian FC sit three points clear of defending champions Celtic as the Scottish Premiership enters its final stages. The Edinburgh club has led the table for most of the season and now stands close to winning their first league crown since 1960.

Claudio Braga is a Portuguese forward who joined from Norwegian side Aalesunds last summer. He has become an important player in this season’s campaign. The 26-year-old currently leads the club’s scoring charts with 17 goals. He has also earned a nomination for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Braga said that the team has believed they could win the title for many months. “We started to believe a long time ago, but we could not say it in public,” he explained. “Now, with just four games left, everything depends on us.”

The striker emphasized the importance of staying calm during this decisive period. “We took each game separately, and that was very important. Now we know that if we win all our remaining matches, we will win the title. The city, the club, and the fans expect this from us.”

Braga admitted he had different hopes when he first arrived from Norway’s second division. “I was not sure if I would start matches. The standard here is much higher than where I played before. I thought maybe we could win a domestic cup or finish in the top three. I did not expect this situation, so it is a big surprise, but I am very happy.”

Rangers FC are four points behind Hearts. They will visit Tynecastle on May 4 for a crucial match broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. This fixture could determine where the trophy goes at the end of the season.

• Rangers lost 3-2 to Motherwell and now sit four points behind leaders Hearts and three behind Celtic with only four matches remaining
• Heart of Midlothian beat nine-man Hibernian 3-1 at Easter Road with late goals to stay top of the table
• The championship could be decided by goal difference or last-minute goals, as 27 crucial strikes have come in the final 10 minutes of matches involving the top three this season

The Scottish Premiership title race is heading for a dramatic finish. Only four matches remain. Three clubs still have a real chance of lifting the trophy.

Rangers slipped up on Sunday against Motherwell. They lost 3-2 at Fir Park after losing focus at key moments. The defeat leaves them four points behind Hearts and three behind Celtic.

However, Rangers are not out of the fight yet. The championship will go down to the wire. Next Monday brings a crucial match when Rangers visit Tynecastle to face Hearts. A defeat there would likely end their hopes. A victory would bring them back into the race.

Hearts showed great fight on Sunday. They beat Hibernian 3-1 at Easter Road. The home side had nine men for part of the match but defended bravely. They blocked shots and cleared crosses under heavy pressure.

Yet Hearts kept attacking. They had 23 shots on goal. The winning goals came in the final minutes. The victory keeps Hearts at the top of the table.

This season has produced constant drama. Late goals are deciding matches. Between the three title rivals, 27 important goals have arrived in the final 10 minutes of normal time or in added time.

Hearts have won matches in the 86th, 87th, 88th, 91st and 94th minutes. Celtic have scored decisive goals in the 91st, 92nd, 95th, 96th and 97th minutes. Rangers also score late, but they have dropped five points from winning positions in the closing stages while gaining only six.

This pattern shows Rangers struggle when pressure is highest. They came back from 2-0 down against Motherwell on Sunday only to lose the game in the dying minutes.

Goal difference may prove vital. Rangers lead this category with plus 34, ahead of Hearts on plus 31 and Celtic on plus 26. With the race so tight, every goal could count.

Celtic and Rangers have waited for Hearts to collapse, but Steven Naismith’s side keeps finding ways to win. The champions have experience of winning titles, but this four-game run presents a new challenge.

The season will likely go to the final day. Fans can expect more twists before the trophy is lifted.

• Blair Spittal scored in the 86th minute to give Hearts a 2-1 victory over Hibernian
• Hibernian finished with nine players after red cards for Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack
• The win puts Hearts four points ahead of Rangers at the top of the table

Heart of Midlothian moved closer to a first league championship since 1960 after defeating local rivals Hibernian 2-1 in a dramatic Edinburgh derby on Sunday.

Substitute Blair Spittal scored the winning goal with just four minutes remaining. His calm finish completed a comeback for the visitors, who had fallen behind early in the match.

Hibernian took the lead through Martin Boyle. The forward scored with a powerful volley after a defensive error by Hearts. However, the home side’s advantage disappeared when goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was sent off. He handled the ball outside his penalty area to stop Pierre Kaboré from scoring.

Hearts found an equaliser through captain Lawrence Shankland. His clever backheel flick struck defender Warren O’Hora and found the net. Despite having an extra player, the visitors struggled to create clear chances against a stubborn defence.

Hibernian’s task became impossible early in the second half. Defender Felix Passlack received a second yellow card for tripping Beni Baningime. The referee showed him a red card, leaving Hibernian with nine men.

Manager David Gray defended his players’ commitment. “The nine men who remained gave absolutely everything,” he said. “Both sending-offs were correct decisions. Our mistakes cost us the game.”

Hearts manager Derek McInnes praised his team’s patience. “You cannot practise playing against nine men,” he explained. “It was an unusual situation but the players stayed calm. This was a big moment in our story.”

The result extends Hearts’ lead over Rangers to four points. Rangers dropped points against Motherwell earlier in the day, while defending champions Celtic sit three points behind the leaders.

Hearts now face Rangers at Tynecastle Park on Monday. They can afford to lose that match and still remain top of the table with three games left to play.