- Hamza Igamane to return to Rangers training next week after Visa issue
- Updates on Ben Davies, John Souttar, Clinton Nsiala and more
- What impressed and frustrated him, during Rangers 2-2 Club Brugge
- Developing young players, Findlay Curtis and Panathinaikos
Q: Was that a good workout?
A: Yeah, it was, yeah, against a really good team. So, it was a, I think in terms of preparing us for a big game in in a couple of weeks, was great. It was a really good test for us. If you don’t have a game like that in two weeks [Panithaniakos], you probably don’t play an opposition like this this early when the guys have only been back for two weeks and worked extremely hard with lots of information. It’s very different to what they’ve been used to and actually, the international guys only had five sessions, I think, since they’ve been back. So, I saw a lot of stuff I liked and a lot of stuff that we need to improve on. And I learned a lot about certain people, what they can do, but there’s stuff that just needs to become a habit for us all the time. In the first half, we got caught in between a little bit because we had a setback, and that’s really, really interesting for us because the team needs to be proactive and not reactive. So, that was good. I learned a lot and I really liked the second half, the energy. Just not aggressive enough in the first half, but it’s so early on, I’ll give the guys the benefit of the doubt because they’re trying so hard and I think probably fatigue plays a little part in that the with the first-half team we put out.
Q: Finlay, Curtis, and Bailey Rice particularly in the second half, what have you made of using the young lads in terms of the opportunity that you’ve been able to give them this season?
A: Yeah, I think Josh Gentles too, I thought Josh was great when he came on. So really, really good. I like them guys. They’re brilliant young men. Zander [Hutton] as well. They’ve earned the right to stay with us for a bit, I think, because of how well they’ve trained, how well they’ve done. I’m really pleased for Finlay. He’s athletically outstanding and so willing. They all are, they’ve got good character. They’ve got really, they’re desperate to play here. They have good character. They’re good, good young men with really good habits. That’s a testament to the academy. And they’ve come in with real fresh energy and willing to try whatever we’re asking them to do. So I think it’s one of the reasons we were brought here is to try and win, but also to develop some players for this club and, and, and develop some players from the academy and give them opportunities and also players to, to bring into the club to develop whilst winning and also earn the club some some money. I don’t want to put too much pressure on them guys, but they’ve been great and it’s how much involvement they have over the season, I don’t know. It would depend on what the squad looks like when the transfer window shuts for sure, but at the minute, they’re making a real impact with the group and that’s all you can ask.
Q: You obviously spoke a lot about the transfer front last week. How many more do you think you’ll be able to get in before that Panathinaikos game?
A: I don’t know. I expect the team to look different again, the squad to look different in a week’s time, but in a couple of weeks, so much can happen in football, so I don’t know. So, I think we are, we’re definitely want to do more, for sure. And also probably some players need to to move on as well at some point because the squad’s going to start looking very big and very heavy. I don’t know is the answer, but it will definitely look different in a week’s time.
Q: Is Jamie Vardy somebody that you’re looking at?
A: I think like I’ve been asked about so many players. Some miles away, some on the money. I’m not going to give you an answer on that. But I guess you’ll, you’ll find out who is real and who’s not in the next few weeks.
Q: Can I just ask about Hamza and Cyriel? Obviously a lot of speculation about offers for them from abroad. Can you give us an update?
A: Cyriel has just been injured. He’s had a bit of a niggly ankle, so he’s here today. We turned down a bid a while ago for him that was nowhere near the valuation of the football club, and he’s been great, he’s desperate to train. We’ve had to give him some treatment this week on his, on his ankle since he’s been back. But I’m looking forward to working with him. So, that’s just nowhere near happening and hopefully, he will get on the training pitch this week, well, he will, and he’ll start enjoying it. But he’s not kicked up one moment of fuss. He seems a really good professional and from what everyone tells me here, he is. Hamza has just been a bit of red tape. He was due back this week with the other international players, was at the airport and didn’t quite have the right visa.I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault. Things have changed since he last got his visa and so we’ve had to wait for him to get his new one, which he should have tomorrow, all being well. Hopefully, he’ll be with us, well, he will be with us this week at some point.
Q: In terms of the interest in Hamza from Lille?
A: I haven’t heard of any. So, yeah, no.
Q: There have not been any bids for him?
A: Not that I know of.
Q: Your plan is having both those guys in your team this week at some point?
A: This week at some point, yeah, yeah.
Q: Are you having both of them in your team for Panithanakios?
A: Mate, that’s two weeks away, so I can’t plan for anything in football.
Q: There was some players who weren’t involved today, can you bring us up to speed?
A: Yeah, so they trained a really big session this morning before the game. Had a big session yesterday. John Souttar and Lyall Cameron as well. And Cifu [Cifuentes], who only came back this week. They’ll be ready this week. They’ll play in the games we have, the next two games, one at the training camp and then one back here. So, they, they will improve us. They’ll make us better. Joe Rothwell, like I said when he signed, his mentality to get on the ball, his athleticism to get across the pitch and aggression to do that is fantastic. He’s been used to winning for two seasons. He brings that mentality with him. And Thelo Aasgaard is someone whom I’ve admired from afar for a very long time. I’ve always felt like he has so much potential. And I think if you put him into our team, the way we play, the way we do things, I think he can look really outstanding and be an incredible signing for this club. I really believe that. He possesses all the tools he needs. So, I spoke to Blooms at Luton [their manager], who’s one of my good friends, and we played together a long time ago and he only had good words to say about him. He had a lot of options leaving Luton and was desperate to come here. So I think that’s important.
Q: You spoke about dark arts recently and you said almost to your guy about not introducing that early enough. For the first goal…
A: No, we should have fouled twice for the goals.
Q: For both goals?
A: For both goals. Yeah, that’s a good observation. I was angry at half-time. And I don’t really get angry about friendlies and stuff, but both goals were really avoidable.