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      Rangers in talks with veteran striker Jermain Defoe, aged 38, to extend former England star’s stay at Ibrox

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      RANGERS have opened talks with former England striker Jermain Defoe in a bid to extend his Ibrox stay.The 38-year-old reminded everyone of his worth when he set the seal on last Sunday’s 4-1 mauling of Celtic with his first Old Firm goal.
      Rangers star Jermain Defoe celebrates his goal against CelticCredit: Getty
      Former Tottenham striker Defoe is out of contract next month and has been linked with a return to Sunderland if Lee Johnson’s team secure promotion back to the Championship through the League One play-offs.
      The veteran striker has already spoken of his desire to move into coaching as he winds down his playing career.
      Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed discussions have taken place as they plot the hitman’s next move.
      He said: “It goes without saying that Jermain Defoe is someone I have the ultimate respect and admiration for.
      “He has been a wonderful player. He has had a fantastic career.
      “To get him up here in the first place was something I was keen to do, because I knew he would help the group in the way he goes about his business.

      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard celebrates with Defoe and James TavernierCredit: PA
      “He’s a top professional and has proved that here. We’re in talks with him at the moment about what’s next for Jermain.
      “But we want to be really respectful, we want to give him the time to make his own decisions.
      “He’s at a stage in his life where we’ll listen to him and see what he wants to do moving forward.
      “I don’t think it’s right for me to divulge right now what’s been said from my point of view and from his.
      “But we’ll certainly respect Jermain in terms of his own decisions moving forward.”
      Gerrard revealed his intentions during a chat with fans at a mental health initiative organised by shirt sponsors 32Red.
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      Gerrard on the touchlineCredit: The Sun
      The title-winning boss expressed his desire for more success with Rangers after savouring Premiership glory in March.
      Gerrard added: “At the beginning of the season, just getting back into the training ground and training again was a real high.
      “I got a real good feeling about the season.
      “We had a lot of talks during lockdown, a lot of one-to-ones and group meetings with the team.
      “I got a real special feeling from the players.
      “But obviously the night of the St Mirren game, when we got it over the line from the 55 point of view, I think that’s been my best feeling in my time here by a long way.
      “It’s given me the hunger to go and try to build on that and achieve more at this club.

      “That was a big part of the remit when I came here, that title is what they wanted.
      “So to do it in this historic year was a very special feeling for everyone connected with Rangers, and I think that has to be the highlight.”
      Meanwhile, Gers have announced a new five-year deal with 32Red that will see the betting firm continue to sponsor the club’s kits.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Rangers extend 32Red shirt sponsorship deal to become one of the longest partnerships in British football More

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      Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker banned by Rangers AND former club Celtic after criticising both rival sides

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      SKY SPORTS pundit Andy Walker is at the centre of a bitter Old Firm row after he was banned from Ibrox AND Parkhead.SunSport understands the 56-year was told to stay away by the livid Gers after criticising the club’s finances on air.
      Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker has been banned by both Rangers and CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      And it has now emerged the former Hoops striker has also been barred from the very ground he made his name at in his playing days and was a centenary Double winning hero.
      Celtic are believed to still be furious over Walker’s outspoken criticism of their controversial trip to Dubai in January for a winter training camp.
      We can reveal the stunned Scotsman – one of Sky Sports’ leading commentators north of the border since 2009 – has turned to lawyers over his situation.
      Sky – who pour £25million a year into the SPFL for coverage of the Premiership – have yet to make comment.
      Regular Walker was replaced for Sunday’s derby at Ibrox by James McFadden who provided co-commentary alongside Ally McCoist and Ian Crocker.
      Champions Rangers are refusing to budge from their stance against the ex-Scotland star who had two spells with Celtic.
      The Hoops – who suffered widespread flak for heading to the Middle East while the pandemic had a grip of the country – are also in no mood to bow down.
      Walker – who played 150 league games and scored 39 goals for Celtic – was unavailable for comment.
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      He angered Rangers last month when he said it would be hypocritical of the Old Firm to disregard talk of a European Super League as both have been angling for a move away from Scottish football.
      Walker also made comments about Rangers’ finances that have left the Ibrox club deeply unhappy.
      This followed his on-air condemnation of Celtic’s trip to Dubai in January in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown.
      The now departed Parkhead boss Neil Lennon accused Walker of ‘spreading lies and insults over his players’ professionalism.
      Speaking during a live Sky game, Walker said: “I think what we’ve seen is some dismal governance, first of all from the joint response group. This is a body that also agreed to sign off on Celtic’s trip to Dubai.
      “At a time when they’re approaching the government to plead a bit of poverty, apparently there’s no money in Scottish football.
      Andy Walker has been one of Sky Sports’ leading commentators north of the border since 2009Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      “I’m guessing this trip Celtic went on to Dubai cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. They chartered their own aircraft, they stayed for five nights in five-star accommodation for, I don’t know, 20, 30 people?
      “It’s extraordinary. And we’re also seeing some dismal governance from this club (Celtic). It is unbelievably arrogant to abuse your status as an elite sportsman.
      “That was only brought in for international or European competition, not for a jolly in Dubai and I don’t know any club in Europe – any top club – who are thinking of going to sunnier climes to get some warm weather training.
      “So I think what the Celtic supporters deserve is a bit of contrition from someone, anyone, with a bit of backbone at this club.
      “Preferably Dermot Desmond because he’s the one that makes the big changes, he’s the one who could knock some heads together here.
      “You’ve got to remember Celtic supporters are paying their season tickets to see all the big stars – they’re not seeing them tonight. That’s not their fault. They are being short changed, and it’s completely unacceptable.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Andy Walker hits back at Simon Jordan over claims Rangers were harshly treated following their financial meltdown More

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      Rangers star Morelos taunts Celtic skipper Brown and nutmegs Hoops midfielder in last Old Firm game

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      RANGERS star Alfredo Morelos appeared to taunt Celtic skipper Scott Brown in his final Old Firm clash. The Hoops midfielder was withdrawn after an hour as he made his last derby appearance before his summer switch to Aberdeen.
      Rangers star Morelos appeared to taunt Celtic skipper Brown during Ibrox clashCredit: Reuters
      Morelos scored a stunning goal for the Light Blues as he grabbed his second derby goal of the season.
      The Colombian hitman nutmegged the veteran midfielder before cutting inside and smashing the ball beyond Scott Bain.
      The duo are never quiet on the pitch and had their usual niggle at each other during the Ibrox clash.
      Pictures show the pair exchanging words while another catches Morelos reacting towards the midfielder as he pointed towards his eyes.
      It’s never a quiet afternoon when Rangers star Morelos and Celtic’s Brown clashCredit: Reuters
      It will be a moment the veteran midfielder will want to forget as the curtain comes down on his Old Firm and Celtic career.
      John Kennedy and Co have failed to defeat Rangers in FIVE matches this season with the newly crowned Premiership champions winning four and drawing the other.
      Morelos smashed home a stunner for Rangers after nutmegging Brown in big win over CelticCredit: The Sun
      As a result, Rangers go through the season unbeaten against their Glasgow rivals and now move to within TWO games of completing an Invincibles league campaign.

      RANGERS 4 CELTIC 1 Roofe, Morelos and Defoe pile misery on Hoops in Brown’s Old Firm finale

      A Kemar Roofe double, and strikes from Morelos and Jermain Defoe secured a stunning 4-1 win for Gerrard’s men at Ibrox this afternoon.
      Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor was sent off early in the first-half after picking up two yellow cards.

      Livingston and Aberdeen now stand in the way in the final two games of the season as Rangers look to go the whole 38 games without picking up a loss and smash through the 100-point barrier
      For Brown, it turned out to be a disappointing final derby match with his last outing at Parkhead as a Celtic player coming up next midweek against St Johnstone before a final day clash at former club Hibs at Easter Road.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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      Rangers 4-1 Celtic LIVE RESULT: Roofe (2), Morelos and Defoe see Gers crush ten-man Bhoys to stay unbeaten

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      JERMAIN DEFOE has rounded off a crushing victory for Rangers over ten-man rivals Celtic.Callum McGregor was sent off for the Bhoys on 26 minutes after the referee played advantage, allowing Kemar Roofe to put the Gers in front in the same phase of play.
      But Celtic bounced back immediately with as Odsonne Edouard poked home from close range.
      However, Alfredo Morelos soon restored Rangers’ advantage with a thunderous strike.
      And Kemar Roofe bagged a brace in the second half to give Steven Gerrard’s men a two-goal cushion.
      Defoe then had the final word as he twisted and turned through the Celtic defence to add a fourth.
      UNBEATEN RUN REMAINS
      Rangers are now odds-on to finish the league campaign unbeaten after today’s win.
      An away game at Livingston followed by a home game with Aberdeen – where they will receive the trophy – are the only two assignments left to conquer.

      TEARY ME!
      Rangers star Alfredo Morelos appeared to taunt Celtic skipper Scott Brown in his final Old Firm clash.
      The Hoops midfielder was withdrawn after an hour as he made his last derby appearance before his summer switch to Aberdeen.
      Morelos scored a stunning goal for the Light Blues as he grabbed his second derby goal of the season.
      The Colombian hitman nutmegged the veteran midfielder before cutting inside and smashing the ball beyond Scott Bain.
      The duo are never quiet on the pitch and had their usual niggle at each other during the Ibrox clash.
      Pictures show the pair exchanging words while another catches Morelos reacting towards the midfielder as he pointed towards his eyes.
      READ MORE HERE
      MAN-BYS
      Our man Robert Grieve was at Ibrox today.
      Here he runs the rule over this afternoon’s players and gives us his view.
      RANGERS XI: McGregor 9, Tavernier 8, Goldson 8, Simpson 7, Barisic 7, Kamara 8, Davis 9, Aribo 8, Kent 9, Morelos 8, Roofe 8
      SUBS: Wright 2, Hagi 2, Defoe 3
      CELTIC XI: Bain 5, Kenny 6, Welsh 6, Ajer 7, Taylor 6, Brown 5, McGregor 2, Forrest 5, Turnbull 7, Elyounoussi 7, Edouard 5
      SUBS: Soro 3, Christie 3, Johnston 2

      REPORT
      Our match report is now live on site.
      Catch all the big moments from today’s final Old Firm of the season over on the Scottish Sun Football page.
      Or, click here 👉 OLD FIRM MATCH REPORT
      Kemar Roofe
      KENNEDY THOUGHTS
      John Kennedy has blasted Nick Walsh for the decision to send Callum McGregor off.
      Kennedy says he was told the first booking was for a ‘reckless tackle’ which he didn’t agree with.
      It is a sore one. Going down to ten men puts us on the back foot but we still managed to create. Rangers were more clinical than us once again.The red card is the turning point and yes he went to ground on a yellow card. But it’s the first yellow. We asked the referee what he booked him for and he said a reckless tackle. I didn’t see a reckless tackle. He is on his feet, making an attempt to play the ball. There is no consistency there. Red cards can happen but at least make the right calls.We had to defend well and not open up too much and we forced them wide to defend crosses. In terms of possession, we did well even with ten men. We had to be brave and make chances which we did.John Kennedy
      GERRARD THOUGHTS
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was delighted with Kemar Roofe’s involvement as he praised Nick Walsh’s performance.
      It’s a big rivalry and an important game as I said before the game. It was a really strong performance and we needed Kemar, Alfredo and Ryan to be the difference for us and we have run away with it in the end.From a team point of view, we strive for consistency. Kemar has had a mixed few weeks from a personal point of view and he certainly responded today. His all-round build-up play was strong and he played big for us today.Playing ten men always makes it easier, I won’t lie. I thought the referee got the decisions right. We work for they moments and they have gone in our favour.Steven Gerrard
      BAD MEMORIES REBORN
      The year 2000.
      The last season where Celtic didn’t win a single Old Firm clash.

      DOUBLE UP
      Kemar Roofe bagged a double for Rangers today and said he has been preparing for this game for a while.
      Roofe has been frustrated at a lack of game time in recent weeks and produced the good today.
      The result says it all! It was a big game for us as we have been down this weekend and disappointed. It’s important to remember we are champions and we had forgot about it as it was so long ago but today brought it back.The last five to six weeks have been difficulty for me but I have been preparing for this game for a while. We won the league a long time ago and now it’s about trying to stay unbeaten. We always want to be playing for something.Kemar Roofe
      FULL-TIME NUMBERS
      The stats behind a big Rangers win over Celtic
      Sky Sports
      HOW WE STAND
      Today’s result would have absolutely zero impact on the league placings.
      But it does take Rangers three points closer to hitting the 100 point mark.
      It also keeps that ‘0’ in the L column

      FULL-TIME AT IBROX: RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC
      Goals from Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe and a Kemar Roofe double handed Rangers their biggest win over Celtic under Steven Gerrard.
      Odsonne Edouard had equalised for Celtic earlier in the game after Callum McGregor was sent off for Celtic.
      Reaction to come.
      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
      FULL-TIME AT IBROX: RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC

      RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC
      90+2′ A slack pass out from the back and Rangers are in.
      Hagi flicks it round the corner for Defoe who squares Welsh up inside the box.
      He twists the youngster inside out and leaves him on his backside before coolly passing the ball beyond Bain with his left foot.
      JERMAIN DEFOE CAPS AN EMPHATIC RANGERS WIN!
      GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      THREE MINUTES ADDED

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      90′ Defoe is sent clean through but the flag is up.
      He missed the opportunity anyway.

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      89′ Ajer again finds himself in an attacking role down the left but Celtic just can’t get through.
      Davis tries to bring it away for Rangers but Johnston brings him down.
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      86′ Final Rangers change of the afternoon.

      OFF – Roofe
      ON – Defoe

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      83′ Morelos is down injured now and seems to be holding his hamstring.
      He seemed set to be replaced anyway but will do so now.

      OFF – Morelos
      ON – Hagi

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      81′ A chance for Elyounoussi to make a game of it!
      A ball in from the right is misjudged by Tavernier who gets caught underneath it.
      Elyounoussi comes flying in at the back post but can’t get good contact on it and heads it wide from close range.
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      80′ Good play from Rangers ends with Roofe picking the ball up on the Celtic edge with his back to goal.
      He lays it off to Kent who sidefoots it straight at Bain.
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      79′ Great play again from Ajer!
      He beats four Rangers tackles on the edge of the box before trying to pick out the top corner.
      His final shot is rubbish and sent miles wide but it was excellent play!
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      78′ Barisic can’t continue and limps off the far side of the park.
      Joe Aribo will fill in at left-back.

      OFF – Barisic
      ON – Wright

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      76′ It’s been really stop-start the last five minutes as fouls are given to both teams.
      Barisic sends a ball down the line and goes down in a crumpled heap.
      He needs treatment from the physio.
      Load more entries… More

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      Rangers 4 Celtic 1: Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe pile misery on Hoops in Scott Brown’s Old Firm finale

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      ALFREDO MORELOS scored and NUTMEGGED Scott Brown in the Celtic skipper’s final Old Firm match on the way to helping keep Rangers’ Invincible dream alive.The Colombian – for whom this may also be the last derby – scored Gers’ second, either side of a double from Kemar Roofe before Jermain Defoe rounded things off.
      Alfredo Morelos celebratesCredit: The Sun
      Odsonne Edouard made it 1-1 after half an hour but with Callum McGregor sent off for Celtic for a second yellow in the build up to Roofe’s opener, the Hoops faced a mountain to climb.
      Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard handed a Glasgow Derby debut to January signing Jack Simpson and a rare start of late to Roofe who repaid his manager’s faith in him.
      John Kennedy welcomed James Forrest back into the Celtic team after his latest injury woe and opted for Edouard over Leigh Griffiths up top.
      Rangers had a massive chance on ten minutes when James Tavernier swung a terrific ball into the box for Morelos at the back post but he completely miscued his effort.
      The Hoops hit the bar just before Roofe scored when Mohamed Elyounoussi struck from distance only for Allan McGregor to tip it onto the woodwork.
      Then came the goal and credit must also go to Nick Walsh – himself an Old Firm debutant – who played advantage after Celtic’s McGregor lunged in late on Glen Kamara in the build-up.
      Walsh waved play on as the ball made its way to Joe Aribo whose cross looked to be a half a yard behind Roofe – but the forward had other ideas.
      He twisted his body and diverted the ball into the net via his chest to put Gers up after 24 minutes.
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      Jack Simpson made his Old Firm debut for RangersCredit: The Sun
      Kemar Roofe opens the scoringCredit: The Sun
      Walsh then went back to hand midfielder McGregor’s his marching orders.
      If Roofe’s finish was all ingenuity, Edouard’s equaliser was all instinct.
      The French frontman was alert to steer the ball home via Kris Ajer’s knockdown from a Ryan Christie corner not even five minutes after Celts went behind.
      The Light Blues had two big chances moments later, first through Roofe who had a low shot saved by Scott Bain before Aribo was also denied by the keeper at the near post.
      But it was third time lucky for the Ibrox side because with their very next attack Morelos rifled a tremendous strike into the top corner – nutmegging skipper Brown in the process.
      Picking the ball up on the edge of the box he jinked inside the Celtic captain before sending a stunning shot past Bain and high into the net.
      Forrest had a brilliant chance to level affairs five minutes before half-time when Ajer slipped him through in space inside the box but he dragged his shot along the ground and it deflected away for a corner that Rangers then dealt with.
      After a cagey opening ten minutes to the second half David Turnbull darted in between the Rangers centre-backs to attempt a diving header at goal from close range but he could only manage a faint touch and it posed keeper McGregor no danger.

      Three minutes later Roofe popped up to extend Rangers’ lead, heading home from a pinpoint Borna Barisic cross.
      That all but put the game out of the reach of the Hoops, a man down and two goals worse off with over half an hour on the clock.
      But Rangers will be sweating over the fitness of Barisic who limped off under severe duress after 75 minutes.
      Jermain Defoe came on as a late sub and scored a classy finish to round off a rampant day for Rangers.
      St Johnstone players get in the party mood after stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup More

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      Gerrard and Rangers’ early title win has disguised their faults.. Kent and Morelos have been poor, says Charlie Nicholas

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      CHARLIE NICHOLAS reckons Rangers’ early title win has hidden their deficiencies this season.And the ex-Celtic man claims Steven Gerrard has a MASSIVE summer ahead.
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has won one trophy from nineCredit: The Sun
      Rangers title-winners Ryan Kent and Alfredo MorelosCredit: The Sun
      Gers romped to their first league championship in a decade last month after destroying the Hoops’ dreams of 10 in a row.
      Rangers – who also reached the Europa League last 16 – are three games away from completing an unbeaten Premiership campaign, but were knocked out of both the Scottish Cup and Betfred Cup.
      Stars such as Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos have earned huge plaudits this season but Nicholas doesn’t buy into that.
      He said: “Rangers have now choked in both cup competitions.
      “Winning the Premiership title as easily as they did disguised a lot of their faults.
      “Many of the Ibrox players have downed tools since becoming champions.
      “Yes, they knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup the weekend before last, but the hard work isn’t done until you finish the season and pick up the trophies.
      “Steven Gerrard must be scratching his head. The Rangers manager still has so much to do and improve at Ibrox to make things right.
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      Ex-Celtic man Charlie NicholasCredit: Sky Sports

      “If you look at this campaign, Rangers’ best players have been their defenders or goalkeeper.
      “Ryan Kent hasn’t had a good season. Alfredo Morelos has been poor too.
      “Gerrard will need to freshen up his squad this summer. He has a massive job on his hands.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      St Johnstone players get in the party mood after stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup More

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      Rangers boss Gerrard admits one trophy out of nine is ‘not good enough’ as he reacts to Scottish Cup exit

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      ZANDER CLARK produced divine intervention for St Johnstone to end Rangers’ Double dream.The keeper claimed the 122nd-minute Ibrox equaliser – despite Chris Kane getting the final touch.
      It’s just one trophy win in the last nine for Rangers and Steven GerrardCredit: The Sun
      Clark then saved two spot-kicks in the 4-2 shootout win as Callum Davidson’s side made the Scottish Cup semis.
      He said: “There have been so many times this season when I have thought to myself: ‘I’m going to go up’ and I’ve looked at the bench and they’ve said no!
      “I just thought, ‘Do you know what? It’s all or nothing. Just get myself up there’.
      “I’ve had it against me many times and you’re shouting at someone to pick them up and everybody has a man.
      “You just follow it and try to get yourself on the end of it.
      “It was a great ball in and I glanced it.
      “Typical striker, I think Kano toe poked it over the line, so I’m devastated!
      Zander Clark was the St Johnstone hero in shootout win over RangersCredit: PA
      “But you know what? I’m taking it! I don’t care if Kano tapped it in.
      “It was what we deserved. We pushed them the whole way, we were excellent in everything we did so credit to the boys.
      “Penalties are a lottery, it’s a case of who can keep their cool and score the most.
      “It’s up to the keepers to try and help the boys out and save a couple. Thankfully I have done that.”
      James Tavernier put Rangers ahead four minutes before the end of extra-time but then had a penalty saved in the shootout.
      Gutted boss Steven Gerrard led an inquest into why Clark was unmarked at the leveller.
      Rangers players are left dejected after Scottish Cup exit at hands of St JohnstoneCredit: PA
      He admits his side’s cup record simply isn’t good enough after their Scottish Cup dream died.
      And he wouldn’t entertain any talk that winning the league left his players drained.
      He said: “We again have been stung by not being able to see the game out.
      “We have been made to pay for one unique situation – a 6ft 3in goalkeeper coming up and getting a free header in the box.
      “That’s not good enough. Players haven’t smelt that or dealt with that but that’s one us as a staff as well.
      St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson hails striker Chris KaneCredit: PA
      “We have to accept responsibility for that.
      “I think it’s the easy way out, a cop out, for us to use excuses from three or four weeks ago.
      “We felt fantastic back then and there was a lot of relief and emotions. Rightly so, we deserved that.
      “But I made it clear the Scottish Cup was a priority and we needed to keep hungry.
      “The challenge is for me to improve on cup competitions and get a group that’s capable of being better.
      “And giving our fans what they deserve, which is more trophies – not just one out of nine.
      “That’s not good enough.

      RANGERS 1 ST JOHNSTONE 1 (2-4 PENS) Clark the hero for Saints as they chase cup double

      “We can pick the bones out of tonight, we can pick the bones out of St Mirren. 
      “We can feel sorry for ourselves in the League Cup Final, we can make excuses that we never had a forward in year one. 
      “You can pick the bones out of it all, the reality is that it’s on me and it’s on us. 
      “We need to make sure we are better in the cup competitions moving forward.”

      Saints boss Davidson hailed Clark and his team-mates – admitting he thought they were out.
      He said: “That’s why Zander plays head tennis with us, he tells me!
      “The first penalty was crucial. It was a great save and I thought Zander was outstanding all game
      “And the end will be something he’ll remember for the rest of his life.
      “I’ve got to try and be calm and level headed. We’re in a semi-final and we’ve given ourselves a chance of getting to another final.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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      Celtic and Rangers would easily finish in the top half of a British League, reckons Kenny Dalglish

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      KENNY DALGLISH reckons Celtic and Rangers would thrive in a British League – and would easily finish in the top half every season.SunSport exclusively revealed on Thursday that plans were in place to create a new cross-border competition following the collapse of the breakaway European Super League (ESL) movement.
      Celtic and Rangers would both thrive in a British League, says Kenny DalglishCredit: Getty
      And former Celtic star Dalglish thinks both his old club and Rangers would more than hold their own against the cream of English football if that comes to pass.
      But the Scotland great also feels the Old Firm pair might have to work their way through the divisions to get to the top rather than being parachuted straight in.
      Writing in his column in the Sunday Post, Dalglish said: “In the days since the ESL collapsed, there has been more talk of new league structures, only this time it’s not with any ESL, but a new British league set-up.
      “The chat has mentioned there could be a place for Rangers and Celtic in any new structure.
      Kenny Dalglish thinks Rangers and Celtic might have to work their way up to a British LeagueCredit: Getty
      “Now, I have no problem with that because I think the Old Firm would do really well in it.
      “Given the same financial resources as many of the other clubs, I believe they’d comfortably be in the top half of any British league every season.
      “They both have brilliant fan bases, and they would be successful.
      “But I do think they’d need to compete to get the rewards.

      WAITING GAME Celtic’s hopes of landing Howe as boss could be dashed by Bournemouth’s promotion push

      “I’m not sure about parachuting them straight into the English Premier League, or the Championship.
      “Surely, they’d need to start in League Two, and work their way up through the divisions?
      “People will rightly ask if that is not a contradiction of what was proposed in the setting-up of the ESL?
      “Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way, I believe all clubs need to earn the right to success.

      British Super League latest:

      “We have been here before with all of this talk of the Old Firm moving to England.
      “I honestly don’t know if the top English clubs really want Rangers and Celtic in any new set-up.
      “It’s been mentioned for more than 20 years, but has never got off the ground.
      “However, maybe it is going to be different this time? Maybe the winds of change are coming?”

      The Anfield legend also reckoned his old club got it right eventually by pulling out of proposals for an ESL.
      He added: “I’m a non-executive director at Liverpool, and I think ultimately the right decision was made by the club.
      “The owners have listened to the Reds’ supporters, and it’s only right that our supporters are always instrumental in what happens to their football club.
      “That’s the way it’s been for many, many years – and that’s the way it should be for many, many years to come.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

      Jamie O’Hara says Rangers would survive British Premier League but Celtic would be relegated More