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      Gareth Southgate set to watch Rangers star against Celtic at Ibrox with shock England call up on the cards

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      JACK BUTLAND has been in fine form since moving to Rangers last summer.Signed by then manager Michael Beale, the ex Stoke City keeper has now become one of the Light Blues’ stand out performers and a contender for the club’s player of the year.Gareth Southgate is preparing to name his squad for this summer’s EurosCredit: GettyJack Butland has been a revelation for Rangers since signing last summerCredit: Willie VassAnd the standard of his goalkeeping for his new club has heaped pressure on Gareth Southgate to name him in his England squad for the Euros.Butland missed out on a very much expected call up when the national squad was named last month for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Burnley stopper James Trafford was selected ahead of the Rangers man as back up to Jordan Pickford.But now Butland has the chance to impress Southgate in the flesh ahead of the Euros with the England boss set to be in attendance for Rangers’ derby clash against Celtic at Ibrox.Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone will not be in the squad and Nick Pope is also a huge doubt, leaving a goalkeeper spot up for grabs.Rangers manager Philippe Clement previously revealed that Butland is focusing on his club duties and is adamant he his still in with a chance of a call up.He said: “It’s not finished yet, so of course there is a chance. It goes on until the day that the selection is made, so there are chances.”But Jack is not performing to get to the Euros. Jack is performing for the club and to win things here. Then the other things can come. Most read in Football”Right now, he’s just focused on his training every day to work well and to be decisive for the team, to be there and to be ready.”31-year-old Butland looks to have found a long term club in Rangers after spending much of his career being loaned out.Oli McBurnie breaks silence on potential Rangers transfer His most recent loan spell came for Manchester United as back up to David de Gea but he failed to make an appearance.He does already have nine caps for his national team and was named in their squad for the 2018 World Cup, but will be hoping for more game time this summer.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Dundee could be forced to MOVE Motherwell clash to alternative stadium due to flooding – with Rangers due days later

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      DUNDEE could be forced to move Saturday’s Premiership clash with Motherwell away from Dens Park if their pitch is deemed unplayable. SunSport understands they may have to find an alternative venue should the weather force a postponement in the next 24 hours. Dens Park has seen may call-offs this seasonA general view of the pitch ahead of the Dundee and Rangers clashTayside has been hit by days of torrential rain and the Met Office predict another 11mm is due on Friday. Dundee have had four Premiership clashes called off due to waterlogging this season, most notably the live SKY TV feature game with Rangers last month. And it’s that game which has forced the SPFL and Dundee chiefs into looking for a contingency plan. The Dark Blues are due to host the title-chasing Gers next Wednesday, meaning there is now no space left in the calendar to fit in postponed matches before the split. The final round of Premiership games are played on Saturday April 13, after which the SPFL need to know the make-up of the top six and bottom six so they can work on the fixture list.  With the title race likely to go down to the wire and clubs still involved in a relegation battle, everyone wants clarity as soon as possible. Broadcast partners SKY also need to know the schedule so they can plan their telly coverage for the remainder of the campaign. Dundee chiefs have been told to formulate a worst case scenario plan for Saturday should the weather defeat them once again. Most read in FootballCity rivals Dundee United are away from home against Queens Park, St Johnstone visit Hibs and Arbroath are up in Inverness so there are three local alternatives potentially available. Another alternative could be to play at Hampden.Celtic hero Neil Lennon’s lets rip at Dundee over Rangers postponementSunSport understands that Motherwell and the SPFL are aware of the situation. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      ‘Gets funnier every time’ – Hibernian star leaves two of his own team-mates on floor with ‘never-before-seen’ free-kick

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      A HIBERNIAN star floored two team-mates with one kick to leave fans in stitches during their loss to Rangers.Nectarios Triantis decided to take a quick free-kick just inside the Rangers half.Nectarios Triantis took a free-kick inside the Rangers halfThe ball smacked off the head of Joe NewellThe ball rebounded off the face of defender Will Fish, leftThe pair were left in a heap of the floorBut his punt up the pitch was stopped after only a few metres by the face of his own team-mate Joe Newell.The midfielder was knocked to the ground and the rebounding ball struck the face of defender Will Fish.Newell received treatment as the hilarious incident had fans laughing in shock.One reacted saying: “I feel so bad for laughing at this so many times. I’ve watched it at least twenty times and it just gets funnier every time.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “This has to be CGI lol. That was too perfect.”A third wrote: “Peak comedy.”And another commented: “This is genuinely a one in a billion chance.”Hibs’ embarrassing moment summed up the match as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ibrox.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe result moved Gers back to the top of the table with Celtic travelling to Livingston on Sunday.The pair face each other in an Old Firm clash next weekend, while they could meet in the Scottish Cup final too.Dean Furman looks back on his Rangers career and memorable win bonus as a sub against Celtic More

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      Rangers star in line for major tournament with Scotland – but his brother played in World Cup for a different country

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      JOHN SOUTTAR is ready to play at a major tournament just like his brother – but for a different country.The 27-year-old defender will be hoping to go to this summer’s European Championship with Scotland.John Souttar has seven Scotland capsCredit: Kenny RamsayHarry Souttar faced Lionel Messi for Australia in the 2022 World CupCredit: ReutersSouttar’s brother, Harry, 25, played at the 2022 World Cup for Australia, where he faced Lionel Messi. They join families such as the Boatengs, the Pogbas and the Xhakas in having brothers playing international football for different countries.The most famous example of brothers playing for different countries is probably Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) and Jerome Boateng (Germany) when they faced each other at the 2010 World Cup.The elder Souttar’s career has been heavily disrupted by serious injuries and he has been restricted to just seven caps as a result.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut after his first season at Rangers was written off by fitness issues, the former Dundee United and Hearts centre-back has become a first choice under Philippe Clement since the turn of the year.Former Hearts assistant Lee McCulloch coached Souttar for two years at Tynecastle between 2020 and 2022.The 45-year-old feels the right-sided defender is now ready to push Watford’s Ryan Porteous for a starting berth at the Euros.McCulloch said: “John Souttar, without a shadow of a doubt, is back to a level where he’s good enough to start for Scotland.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“I think John has kicked on since he got into the Rangers team. Any time he gets an injury it knocks him back, but if John gets a run of games, which he showed with Hearts and he’s now showing with Rangers, he’s a big-game player.“He’s got confidence in his ability and he’s a humble, hard-working guy. He’s one of the best defenders in the league with the ball at his feet and he can also defend the box.Republic of Ireland fans all make the same joke after seeing new Sky jersey for the first time-“I thought he was arguably the best player on the pitch in the home game against Benfica last week.“When you see the level he’s at now, you just wonder where he’d be if he hadn’t had all those injuries.” More

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      I’m known as a Rangers hero but before my Ibrox career began I played five-a-sides with F1’s most legendary driver

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      IT’s hard to imagine living in Monte Carlo and then trading it for life anywhere else.But that’s exactly what Mark Hateley did, swapping the French Riviera for the banks of the River Clyde when he signed for Rangers in 1990.Mark Hateley formed a formidable partnership with Ally McCoist at RangersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHateley played for AS Monaco before signing for GersCredit: GettyRecognise that iconic helmet? The man wearing it was a neighbour of Hateley’sCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe former striker, capped 32 times for England during his career, played for Coventry, Portsmouth and AC Milan before moving to Monaco in 1987.He’d score goals wherever he went but it was in Glasgow where he became an idol to the fans and the Derby man has gone down in history as one of the best players to ever pull on the shirt for the Light Blues.Hateley was a focal point of the nine-in-a-row team but before reaching hero status in Glasgow, he spent three years under Arsene Wenger at AS Monaco in Ligue 1.He was the then-future Arsenal manager’s first signing as Monaco boss and would play alongside supreme talents such as Glenn Hoddle and George Weah before a nasty ankle injury saw him seek a move back to Britain.Read more Rangers storiesBut not before he’d rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most rich and famous.Some of the faces Hateley bumped into included Roger Moore, Ringo Starr and Frank Sinatra.But Monaco is of course most renowned for the Formula One scene, and many of the drivers live in Monte Carlo year-round, or at least own property there.During Hateley’s time, he counted none other than arguably the greatest F1 driver who ever lived as a neighbour.Most read in FootballAppearing on the Under the Cosh podcast, Hateley discussed what it was like living in Monaco before his £1m transfer to Gers.He revealed that he lived in an apartment one floor above none other than Ayrton Senna.I snubbed an audience with the Pope and got crucified in the media but it just wasn’t for me says Rangers legendThe McLaren hero would regularly hit him up for a quick kick-about – sometimes even on the weekend of the Monaco Gran Prix.When asked about any famous neighbours from his time living in the principality, Hateley said: “Oh, I had Ayrton Senna. He lived the floor below me in Monaco.”All he wanted to do was play football.”He’d come and ask me and we used to play before the grand prixs. We had a five-a-sides at Saint-Jean.”All the drivers would play. Well the ones who liked football, they’d play.”Racing car drivers want to be footballers, and footballers want to be racing car drivers!”After signing for Rangers, Hateley would take his new team mates back to Monte Carlo for the odd night out.On one such occasion, he was quizzed by midfield ace Ian Durrant.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe young Scot said in the middle of a drinking session in Casino Square: “Monaco? Govan? You’re off your f****** rocker.”The paddock at Circuit de Monte Carlo in Monaco, home of the Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Simon JonesSenna would often ask Hateley for a game of five-a-side footballCredit: PA:Press AssociationStade Louis II, home of AS Monaco, as seen from the airCredit: Getty – ContributorKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Dundee vs Rangers postponed in ‘utter farce’ just 90 minutes before kick off with pitch compared to movie Dune

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      RANGERS’ clash away at Dundee has been called off just 90 MINUTES before kick-off, the club have confirmed.The Scottish Premiership clash was due to get underway at Scott Foam Stadium at 12pm on Sunday afternoon.Fans have criticised the state of the pitch as the match was postponedCredit: PARangers boss Philippe Clement was left disappointed as the game was called offCredit: PABut it has now been axed with the pitch covered in mud patches.A brief statement from Rangers on social media read: “GAME OFF: Today’s match against Dundee has been postponed.”The club will make further comment in due course.”The announcement was accompanied by a picture of the desperately poor pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd fans were quick to slam Dundee for the state of their home turf.One Rangers supporter said: “Dundee should forfeit the game and we get the points. Utter farce their pitch is x.”While another football fan added: “If you enjoyed Glasgow’s Willy Wonka, you’ll love the Dundee Dune 2 Experience.”A third replied: “Get them fined. No club should be allowed in the top flight if their pitch can’t deal with a bit of rain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Just as bad if not worse than the plastic pitch carry-on.”And a fourth said: “Shambles. Dundee should start facing sanction after the third game called off this season so far. Fans out of pocket again.”Moment Rangers ultras welcome their heroes out against Benfica with massive Dublin tifo Rangers dropped to second place in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday following Celtic’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone.But having played one game less, a win over Dundee would have taken them back to the summit.They now sit one point adrift of their Glasgow rivals.Dundee are seventh in the table, two points off Hibernian in sixth. More

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      I’ve translated for Real Madrid, Barcelona & PSG superstars but the biggest thrill was meeting my Rangers hero

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      MANIK MANE spends his time touring the globe translating for some of the world’s biggest football superstars. The Rangers-daft interpreter has met so many of them now that he’s no longer fazed when rubbing shoulders with the sport’s elite. Manik Mane is a freelance translator who works for UefaCredit: Willie VassMane (far right) with ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and former Gers star Allan McGregor in 2020Credit: The SunHe has met many football icons over the yearsNot many players leave him starstruck. But that quickly changed when he met one of his Ibrox heroes this week. The Portuguese-born 30-year-old works as a freelancer who specialises in his native tongue as well as English, French, Spanish, Crioulo, and is in the process of learning German. He studied languages in his homeland before later moving to France, Belgium and Spain to enhance his skills. Now living in Leeds after doing a translating and interpreting degree at the University of Salford and masters at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Manik loves living in the UK. And that’s not just because he’s closer to his beloved Ibrox. Manik has been a fully-fledged Rangers fan for some time now, but his love for the club didn’t start when he was in Scotland. He instead became a supporter after his life turned upside down while working at a press conference for Rangers’ Europa League showdown with Braga in 2020. Most read in FootballAsked if he became a supporter when studying in Edinburgh, he told SunSport: “At that point I did like them. I knew all about them since I was a kid and some of my favourite players played there.”I used to love Nuno Capucho and after that there was Pedro Mendes, who is from my city, Guimaraes. Rangers nine-in-a-row legend ‘delighted’ as he spots Ibrox cult hero wearing ’55’ T-shirt at Africa Cup of Nations“I followed Rangers but not as a fan, I’m not going to lie. I liked the club and there’s always a great atmosphere at Ibrox. “But it all started when they played Braga.”It’s fair to say it was a life-changing moment for the rather inexperienced interpreter at the time. He sat alongside then Gers boss Steven Gerrard and Light Blues hero Allan McGregor in the press room and translated for them as they gave their thoughts ahead of the last-32 clash. But while attention was on the Light Blues pair, the spotlight turned on Manik and he became the main talking point instead. And it was all because of the outfit he chose to wear. Sporting his suave sunglasses and a colourful stripy shirt, those watching on flocked to social media to complement his flamboyant fashion and he was dubbed the most “swag” translator around.He went viral from that moment and his life has never been the same since. Manik said: “I’ve always liked to dress to impress. It was the same for school and university. At that particular time, I was coming straight from Africa.”I had the press conference and it was very cold compared to the 40 degrees I experienced in Guinea-Bissau. Manik during the press conference in BragaCredit: The Sun“I was in a rush and I took this colourful shirt which I used to wear at nightclubs many times in Shanghai and Edinburgh – why not!“I also had an eye infection because of the sand and I had to wear big black glasses. With that and the jumper, I had a very different look – not one you would usually see a translator or journalist wear! “My eyes were so sore that I couldn’t even open them. “My phone died during my shift and when I turned it on when I got home, all the notifications went crazy. “So many articles were written about me, and for 36 hours my phone went nonstop. I was one of the most spoken about people in Portugal at that time. I went viral!“From that moment, I decided any time I went to a press conference, I needed to shine. I needed to be colourful, this was going to be my new identity. “It has been great for my career.”Manik is usually called on by Uefa whenever a Portuguese side face a team from the UK due to his particular language skills. So when Rangers drew Benfica in the Europa League last-16 draw, he was over the moon to represent at Ibrox again. And even more so when he realised he would get the chance to work alongside Gers skipper James Tavernier for the first time. He translated for his icon James Tavernier this weekCredit: Willie Vass“It was crazy!”, he said. “Obviously I’m now used to seeing big stars but I remember being too shy during my first few games. That doesn’t happen anymore.“I’ve translated for huge clubs like Real Madrid and PSG but speaking to James Tavernier was above average.“I was so happy to see him but I couldn’t express how happy I was as I had to be professional.”He left straight afterwards to take photos so I didn’t have the chance to connect with him and express my admiration but hopefully I will get the chance in the future.”The 30-year-old is now one of Rangers’ biggest fans and follows them from all over the world.He even takes his prized possession – a 55 title shirt which celebrates their 2020/21 Premiership triumph – with him any time he goes abroad and poses for pictures with it for social media. Manik added: “It’s a way to thank Rangers fans for everything they do for me. The way they flood my Instagram and all my social media channels.He posed for a picture with Emannuel Adebayor while wearing the T-shirt”They always tell me if I’m ever in Glasgow then I can stay at their place and ask to meet me. For me, it’s amazing because I don’t work for Rangers but I’m always supported. “So whenever I’m abroad I like to take a piece of the team with me to remind me of how much the Rangers family means to me.“I once saw a street vendor in Ivory Coast with a Rangers top! I thought it was unbelievable. I had to approach him and talk to him about the club. Rangers are omnipresent.”While working at the AFCON earlier this year, Manik wore the shirt and bumped into Ibrox legend Basile Boli. They stopped for a chat about all things Rangers and it was clear to see the Ivorian icon still holds the club in high regard. But he wasn’t the only former Rangers player he met. He said: “I was just walking to my hotel and he shouted over to me and said ‘That’s my club! I support Rangers’.I thought ‘No way!’ and we chatted and he told me how he played for them and was a big player for Marseille. “He was happy to see me and he told me that he had a wonderful time at Ibrox and how the fans are sublime. He only said good things about Rangers and I love it when people recognise them as a worldwide club.Him showing Basile Boli his title-winning shirt“I did see El Hadji Diouf as well but he was busy because he’s a superstar. I just took a picture and thanked him for everything he did in football.”Manik doesn’t just work in football. He spent time in Dubai last year working at Cop 28 and is now looking to extend his horizons and feature at the Olympics in Paris this summer. He believes he is now ready for the challenge and has urged the Olympic committee to make changes to their selection process to allow him and his colleagues to play their part. Manik continued: “For this year, I really want to get to the Olympic Games. It’s a competition that has always fascinated me. “I now believe that I’m more than ready to be a part of the roster. However, I’m not happy with the selection process. “They’re not testing people and I believe they should give other people a chance. “At the Olympics, we see athletes from all walks of life so I believe the selection process for interpreters should also be open for anyone. “I noticed some restrictions and my colleagues say the same. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I want to raise awareness and ask the selection committee to make a change because I believe I would be an asset with the experience I have.”He is now an experienced interpreterCredit: Willie VassHe loves working at Rangers gamesKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Rangers 0 Benfica 1 (2-3 on Agg) – Gers OUT of Europa League as Rafa Silva’s second half goal ends run at last 16 stage

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      PHILIPPE CLEMENT said before kick-off a Rangers victory could become an exhibit in the Ibrox museum.Unfortunately, his team’s Europa League campaign is now a thing of the past.Rangers’ Connor Goldson looks dejected after the matchafa Silva of Benfica celebrates after scoring the opening goalThe Belgian’s side gave everything for a priceless result to take them into the last eight of the competition.But it’s Benfica who got the win to take into their history books.Rafa Silva’s crucial goal that separated these two sides over legs was initially disallowed for off-side but a VAR check confirmed the strike would stand.It was an agonising end of this Euro run that had Rangers supporters dreaming of reaching the final in Dublin in May.But the 50,000 inside Ibrox for this early kick-off saluted the efforts of their heroes after the final whistle.There’s no shame whatsoever in losing to the Portuguese giants.But in the cold light of day, Clement and his players will believe they passed up a glorious opportunity to reach the quarter finals.Had Cyriel Dessers taken a big chance at the start of the second half here it could easily have turned out different.In the end it wasn’t to be, but there were still some big, imposing performances out there for Rangers.Skipper James Tavernier was immense in both directions down the right flank.Big John Souttar was the same. If not better.The Scotland centre-back was aggressive and decisive when he had to go and win the ball on the deck or in the air. When he was in possession he was calm and cool, fizzing balls forward into the feet of the midfielders ahead of him.There were still moments of anxiety in the first-half that would have worried Clement.John Lundstram was a key man bringing the ball out from the back with Souttar and Connor Goldson splitting.But the best Benfica chance of the opening 45 minutes came when the Scouse defender took his eye off the ball in the middle of the park and lost it.Thankfully for Lundstram, Tavernier made a timely last ditch block to make sure all the Portuguese side got out of it was a corner.All in all, there wasn’t a great deal between the sides by the time the half-time whistle went.Rangers could have been ahead given how much of the ball they enjoyed. Yet they didn’t trouble goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin nearly enough.The Ukrainian did make one impressive save to keep out a shot from Dessers, but the Ibrox striker had wandered into an off-side position when Tom Lawrence picked him out. Even had Trubin not made the stop, it wouldn’t have counted.1Cyriel Dessers dejectionThere were other moments that had the home support up off their seats. Lawrence fired an early shot on target that the Benfica No1 almost spilled into his net.Scott Wright – in the line-up with Dujon Sterling injured – was also lively whenever he got into the final third.It was just the final ball that let Rangers down. For all their good play, they didn’t carve out a big chance to take the lead before the interval and that would have been something that frustrated Clement and his backroom staff.Benfica would certainly have been the happier of the two teams that there was still nothing between the sides when they came back out.They made a change for the restart, striker Casper Tengstedt replacing Marcos Leonardo which was a sign that their coach, Roger Schmidt, wanted more from his attack.Just two minutes into the second-half, though, it was Rangers who had to expect better from their frontman.Wright did brilliantly to burst forward and pick out Dessers inside the box.Rangers manager Philippe Clement gestures from the sidelineBut after chopping inside, the Belgian fired his shot with his right foot – when he should have used his left – and he didn’t get nearly enough power on it with the opportunity wasted.It was still a good restart, though, and a sign that Rangers could be the team that got the next goal in the tie.They still had to be careful at the back.Goldson picked up a booking for hauling back Rafa Silva as he got away from him and, in truth, it was probably a good yellow card to get. If anything, he should have fouled him sooner. Or harder.Because in 66 minutes it was the little forward who made it 1-0 to Benfica.The galling thing for Rangers was that it came from a corner they had at the other end.But, like they did all night, they didn’t leave enough cover back on the halfway line and they were wide open to be hit on the break. Could Dessers have done better inside the Benfica box to stop the attack unfolding in the first place? It certainly looked that way.But you had to credit Angel Di Maria for setting up Silva with a perfectly timed pass which saw the Portuguese burst from his own half and into the Rangers box to beat Butland.At first it looked like the goal would be ruled out for off-side after the linesman raised his flag. But an agonising VAR check confirmed that Silva was in his own half when Di Maria passed to him and that the strike would stand.Rangers ran out of legs in the closing minutes despite changed and Benfica held on to take their place in the today’s draw for the next round.Team newsKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More