Scottish Premiership

RANGERS would be Scottish Premiership champions if they played Celtic every week, according to Niko Katic.
The crocked defender insisted it was an error ending the Scottish season prematurely and is convinced Gers will improve in the new campaign.

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Rangers star Niko Katic scored an Old Firm winner in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association
Katic was ruled out for the “foreseeable future” after suffering the knee injury in training in what was a huge blow for the Ibrox club.
But, the 23-year-old has revealed he has already started rehabilitation after surgery last week and is plotting his recovery.
And he reckons Rangers would have been champions last season if they had played against Celtic every week.
Katic said: “I think the decision not to continue the league was a mistake. England managed to continue and they are very close to us.

“We could have played on here and we have now had a very long break. It certainly would have been better if we had not ended the season.
“In the league, Celtic have been champions for years, but we matched them very well last season before we fell away after the break.
“At every step, you can feel the rivalry and I feel we are at least on their level.
“Those games against Celtic are a special experience, I had the good fortune to experience a victory and I will remember that for the rest of my life.

“If we had played every game last season against Celtic, we would be champions. Against them, we were always playing at a high standard.
“In the cup final, we were impossibly good against Celtic, but just couldn’t score.”
EURO AMBITION
Katic is now on the road to recovery – and is targeting a spot in Croatia’s Euro 2021 squad.
He revealed: “There was a rupture of my anterior cruciate ligament and it’s estimated I should be back by the New Year, so we’ll see how recovery goes.
“I was in surgery last week and I have already started light rehabilitation.
“It’s possible the injury happened because of the extent of the break we had, but we will never know.
“[Making the Euros squad] is certainly one of the main goals of my career.
“I worked really hard and I did everything to get picked for the national team before the European Championship, that was my goal.

Gerrard’s Rangers would be champs if they played Celtic every week, says Katic

“Unfortunately, this injury happened, but I will try my hardest again in the second half of this season.
“For me, everything was focussed on that this season. Playing for Croatia in Glasgow, which is now my second home, would be the peak of my career.
“I know I have a long, hard road ahead of me, but I will do my very best to make it happen.”

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A RANGERS pub has been urging punters to STAMP on Scott Brown’s face as they reopen from lockdown.
The Bristol Bar on Duke Street, Glasgow, posted a video on Facebook to show punters how they now look as they follow coronavirus guidelines.

The Bristol Bar urged fans to stamp on Scott Brown’s face while queueing for the toilet

Celtic captain Scott Brown is a hate figure among the Rangers supportCredit: PA:Press Association
As part of their efforts to maintain social distancing, and in amongst all the Gers memorabilia and decor, the floors are covered in signs telling people how far apart they should stand and what direction to walk.
But one of them goes a lot further – with a row pictures of the Celtic captain mocked up as a clown and accompanied by the message: “Wait here! Feel free to stamp on this clown.”
The video was posted to the boozer’s Facebook page this morning with the caption: “We open at 11am. Have a look inside of some of the changes we have made.
“Anyone who visits is will be required to give their name and number for the purposes for Track and Trace for NHS.

“Remember to priority book download our app.”
Some fans were loving the humour and showed their appreciation.

The Bristol Bar has reopened after lockdown

Brown is mocked up as a clown in the pics
One said: “Loving the clown pictures on floor lmfao.”
Another wrote: “That’s the best bit.”

But not everyone agreed and one woman said it made her embarrassed to be a Gers supporter.
She said: “What a ridiculous thing to do…. considering the current state of the world, this is what you can come up with… another reason to cause hate?!?!
“You should be utterly ashamed! Be proud of your team without degrading others – it’s the classier way to behave! So disappointed and embarrassed to be a Rangers fan!”

Meanwhile, Rangers jetted out to France as they step up preparations for the new campaign.
The Light Blues were pictured at Glasgow Airport ahead of their flight as they get set to take part in the Veolia trophy.
Steven Gerrard’s men will face Lyon on Thursday before tackling French Ligue 1 rivals Nice 48 hours later.
Old Firm rivals Celtic are also taking part in the pre-season tournament but the two clubs won’t face each other.

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EVERTON are set to launch a bid to sign Rangers youngster Cole McKinnon this summer – but face competition from Aston Villa.
The talented midfielder, 17, has a year left on his deal at Ibrox but has caught the attention of several Premier League sides.

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Cole McKinnon is on the radar of Everton and Aston VillaCredit: SNS Group
The Toffees are keeping tabs on the Scotland Under-17 international, who has already featured for Rangers’ reserve side despite his young age.
Aston Villa are also believed to be admirers of McKinnon, while a number of other clubs south of the border are keeping an eye on the rookie.
Everton are considering a major summer overhaul in a bid to get back into European contention next season.
As well as McKinnon, the Toffees are set to battle Arsenal and West Ham for the signing of Athletic Bilbao star Unai Nunez.

The 23-year-old has fuelled speculation he is set to depart this summer by snubbing yet another contract offer.

Spanish outlet AS claim he has “declined to renew” due to making only 12 starts in La Liga this term.
With a £27million release clause in his contract, Everton could be willing to activate that in order to strengthen their back line.
AC Milan and Monaco are two other interested parties.

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RANGERS legend Scott Nisbet has admitted he’s in a race against time after being told he has cancer.
The former striker is set for life-saving surgery — just days after his devastating diagnosis.

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Rangers hero Scott Nisbet has opened up on his cancer battleCredit: SNS Group
After initially complaining of a sore back, an emergency CT scan revealed four tumours, the biggest of which means that surgeons will have to act fast to remove the 52-year-old’s kidney.
And Nisbet — who now lives in Lanzarote — will see a specialist in Gran Canaria on Wednesday.

The tumour on my kidney is about eight centimetres by six. The priority is to remove the kidney.
Scott Nisbet

He told SunSport: “I am in a race against time. I have four tumours.
“The main one is on my kidney and it has to be taken out ASAP.

“The tumour on my kidney is about eight centimetres by six.
“If they can get that out within a week to ten days they will then look to tackle the remaining three tumours.
“I am going to Gran Canaria on Wednesday to see the specialist and hopefully the operation will follow soon after.
“The priority is to remove the kidney. So that’s why I say it’s a race against time.”

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Scott with girlfriend June

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Nisbet made 90 appearances for Rangers during an eight-year spellCredit: SNS Group
Nisbet, who has three children, has been humbled by the messages of support from back home.
A host of former Ibrox team-mates, including Ally McCoist and Andy Goram, have already reached out to him.
Nisbet will always be remembered for his famous 1993 strike against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
He was a hugely-popular figure during his time at Gers — with his career cruelly cut short by injury.
He now runs a soccer school on the island and is banking on the love of girlfriend June and kids TJ, Indya and Chad to help him defeat his tough opponent yet.
Nisbet said: “I was a fighter when I played and I am determined to fight this.
“For my family’s sake I am having to put a brave face on it, I’ll fight this for them and for June.
“This is the biggest fight I’ve ever faced and I’ll give it my best shot.”
Nisbet suffered family tragedy five years ago when sister Debra died at the age of 54 after an operation to remove a cancerous tumour, also in her kidney, went wrong.
At the time he said: “Debra was my best pal. She was the anchor of our family and to have her taken away like that is devastating.”
Edinburgh-born Nizzy made 90 appearances for Rangers in his eight year stint between 1985 and 1993.
His top-level career was ended by a pelvic injury and, after a brief bid to come back with junior side Arniston, he soon moved to Lanzarote.

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