NafisaRangers are actively seeking a new manager while a significant decision looms regarding a Celtic winger who has fallen out of favor.
Celtic clinched their third consecutive Scottish Cup final berth with a commanding 5-0 victory over St Johnstone at Hampden, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Aiming for their 43rd Scottish Cup triumph, Celtic took the lead in the 34th minute via captain Callum McGregor, followed by a rapid brace from Daizen Maeda, a goal from Adam Idah, and a strike from substitute Jota, who has now scored five goals in 13 appearances across all competitions since his return to Glasgow.
The win sets up a final against Aberdeen, who narrowly defeated Hearts 2-1 in extra time, thanks to Oday Dabbagh’s late heroics. Celtic, who previously beat Aberdeen in last season’s League Cup final and thrashed them 5-1 in the league in February, are strong favorites to claim the trophy.
Meanwhile, Rangers are licking their wounds after an early Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park in February and a recent 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Major changes are on the horizon at Ibrox this summer as the club looks to close the gap with Celtic, with fans anticipating a flurry of activity from both Glasgow giants when the transfer window opens in July.
Former Man Utd boss ‘open’ to Rangers talks:
According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are set to appoint a prominent manager this summer to usher in the 49ers’ era at the club.
Despite Barry Ferguson’s steady interim stint, the report indicates he won’t be considered for the permanent role, with the club prioritizing a high-profile figure with a proven track record of silverware.
Steven Gerrard emerges as the leading candidate, having masterminded an unbeaten Rangers campaign in 2020-21, amassing 102 points and conceding just 13 goals in 38 matches to break Celtic’s near-decade-long dominance.
While his subsequent spells at Aston Villa and Al Ettifaq have been less successful, Gerrard remains highly regarded by Rangers’ supporters and hierarchy for his transformative tenure.
Alternatively, the club could pursue an even bigger name in Jose Mourinho. The current Fenerbahce manager boasts an illustrious resume, including Champions League titles with FC Porto and Inter Milan, Premier League and FA Cup triumphs with Chelsea, Europa League and League Cup successes with Manchester United, and the Conference League with AS Roma.
The 62-year-old, whose Fenerbahce side trails Galatasaray by six points in the Turkish Super Lig with a game in hand, is contracted until 2026.
However, after Rangers eliminated his team from the Europa League on penalties this season, he hinted at future interest in managing in Glasgow, saying: “In this moment, no, because I have a job that motivates me and a job that demands loyalty. But why not in the future?
“People can say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it’s a league of passion. It’s a league of passion. And for me, passion in football is everything. To play in competitions where there is not that fire of the passion doesn’t make any sense.
“And Celtic and Rangers, they are big clubs with big fan bases, with big emotions, big responsibilities, big expectations. Why not? But in this moment, I have a job. Celtic has a fantastic coach like Brendan (Rodgers). Rangers has (Barry) Ferguson now, so full respect for them and I’m not searching for a new job.”
TEAMtalk notes, however, that Mourinho would be ‘open’ to discussions with Rangers over the summer if presented with a compelling offer.
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