Rangers eye 'three exciting targets' in January window as Motherwell name Celtic ace they targeted at Fir Park
The latest headlines as Celtic suffer another damaging loss and Rangers continue to plan for a huge January overhaul
Rangers closed the gap between themselves and rivals Celtic to just three points after securing their first win over St Mirren in more than a year.
Danny Rohl’s side won the game through goals in each half from Thelo Aasgaard and Emmanuel Fernandez - two players signed over the summer that are starting to deliver stronger performances in recent weeks. The visitors, who were targeting consecutive victories at Ibrox for the first time in their history, got one back back with 10 minutes left when Mikael Mandron headed in. That left the Paisley side rueing a missed penalty shortly before when captain Marcus Fraser's tame effort was easily saved by Butland.
The win gives Rohl’s side the momentum heading into the Glasgow Derby in just a few days time. Meanwhile at Parkhead, the pressure could not be bigger on manager Wilfried Nancy as his chaotic reign took another wrong turn after a shock 2-0 loss away at Motherwell.
This week’s results leave the Premiership title race wide open, with just six points seperating the top three sides in the division after Hearts’ recent 3-2 loss to Edinburgh rivals Hibs. Ahead of what promises to be an action-packed January transfer window, we take a look at the day’s leading headlines from Glasgow.
Rangers plot triple January swoop
Rangers are keen to bolster their title ambitions by signing players in three key areas of the pitch during the winter window. Rohl has had a positive impact since his appointment at Ibrox, but the Glasgow side currently sit nine points behind league leaders Hearts after a poor start under predecessor Russell Martin.
Rohl is keen to make his stamp on the team and is set to take a leading role in player recruitment over the next month following a shake-up at sporting director and chief executive levels.
At left-back, Belgian talent Tuur Rommens is catching the eye, according to TEAMtalk. The outlet claims the Westerlo defender is being watched closely after a string of impressive performances this term, and he is one of ‘three exciting targets that could help turn the club’s season around.’
Jens Hjerto-Dahl from Tromso appears to be the standout midfield target. The 20-year-old Norwegian has been scouted extensively by Rangers, who see him as an ideal No.6, particularly as uncertainty surrounding the future of Nicolas Raskin continues to surface in the background.
Further up the pitch in attack, Josh Windass, who helped Rangers win promotion nearly nine years ago, has also been linked with a sensational return to Glasgow. He recently left Sheffield Wednesday to join Wrexham and has registered six goals and three assists from 19 matches. He notably worked with Rohl at Hillsborough, which could prove a factor in trying to drive any potential discussions.
Motherwell name Celtic player they targeted at Fir Park
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou explained in his post-match press conference that cutting the supply to Callum McGregor was an important tactic that his team used to help them secure a key win over defending champions Celtic.
The Fir Park outfit took a well-earned lead through Ibrahim Said, the Nigerian heading in Stephen O'Donnell's delightful, deep pinpoint cross. Elliot Watt then doubled the advantage early in the second half after an error from experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The Hoops lost for the fifth time in just seven games under manager Nancy and once again lacked cohension when playing in the Frenchman’s new system. Celtic failed to carve out many opportunities and struggled to get captain McGregor into the match.
Askou explained this was all part of his masterplan in an interview with Premier Sports, he explained: “First of all we needed to cut the supply to McGregor so he couldn’t dictate the game in the early build-up. Then we needed to make sure that whenever they tried to drop out on the sides with the central midfielders to get on the ball and create the overloads on the side and play into the central areas from there, that we had enough players to jump and stop them getting on the ball.
“So we went with a 4-3-3, narrow on the top to cut the supply to McGregor. And then with Oscar and Lucas who are some of our best athletes in combination good ball playing qualities to cover those big areas and shuffle across to the sides. So it worked out well.”
Motherwell have won three of their last five matches and are now in fourth position - just eight points behind leaders Hearts after a stellar performance against the champions.