Rangers star urged to step up following 'lucrative' offer, rival manager called Celtic ace after taking job

Scotland’s Euro 2024 dream ended on Sunday after their crucial final group stage clash against Hungary ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat. The travelling Tartan Army left Germany following a crushing stoppage time goal from Kevin Csoboth, ending their group campaign with just one point on the board after their draw against Switzerland.

While the rest of the tournament plays out, focus can now shift to the transfer window and the upcoming Scottish Premiership season. With rumours continuing to fly, we’ve rounded up some of the latest headlines.

Rangers star sent warning to improve

James Tavernier’s future remains up in the air amid summer exit links and reports of a ‘lucrative offer’ being tabled by Al-Ettifaq. Steven Gerrard is looking to reunite himself with the Rangers captain in Saudi Arabia and the club could be tempted to cash in if the right offer comes their way.

While the money pocketed through the sale of Tavernier will no doubt help the Gers’ own transfer business, his departure will weigh heavy on the team. Despite being a defender, the 32-year-old finished the season as Rangers’ top scorer, contributing a stellar 24 goals and 12 across in all competitions. His tally succeeded that of the likes of Tom Lawrence and Todd Cantwell, and the latter has been urged to step up if Tavernier is to leave Ibrox.

Kenny Miller has weighed in on the situation and and stressed the amount of goals Rangers will be losing without the influence of Tavernier, which is where others need to fill in.

"They won't be coming from a right-back. I think the strikers might be pretty happy, the fact they might get back on the penalties and get their numbers up. What it does mean is that wingers — definitely your Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence types — your 10s and attacking 8s, they need to be chipping in with more,” the former Rangers and Celtic striker told Clyde Superscoreboard.

"That's a LOT of goals to be losing. If Tavernier does leave Rangers, it's not just the number of goals, it's the big goals. Just look at this season, Old Firm goals, Cup final winning goals — he's been a go-to guy in that Rangers team so it will be a massive hole if he leaves."

Dons boss contacted Celtic star after taking new job

New Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin can finally get stuck into his duties after agreeing a three-year deal back in April. The former IF Elfsborg head coach was headhunted by the Dons and has officially started his tenure at Pittodrie, with the team back and ready to start pre-season training.

Thelin previously interviewed for the Aberdeen job but missed out to Barry Robson, however, on the second attempt, the Swede is now ready to spearhead his new club. Thelin admitted that after taking the job, one of his first calls was to Celtic ace Gustaf Lagerbielke, who previously played under the 46-year-old at Elfsborg.

Lagerbielke only joined the Hoops last summer but he has struggled to establish himself under Brendan Rodgers in his debut season. The centre-back made just ten appearances across all competitions last term.

“I talked with Gustaf Lagerbielke who, of course, I had at Elfsborg,” Thelin told Record Sport. “We would look at the football when Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby played, Carl Starfelt, I know a little bit also from when he played in Gothenburg.

“Also this guy here Fran who worked with us on individual development. He knew Starfelt quite well also so we irked up some information about the league and what we have to be aware of.”