Former top-flight star Tam McManus believes that Rangers boss Philippe Clement is just trying to take the pressure off his players by saying that Saturday’s Old Firm game will not be a must-win.

Celtic and Rangers are set to meet each other for the final time in the league this season, with the outcome of the match having the possibility of determining the fate of the league title.

Ahead of the match, the Rangers boss disagreed with the idea that a win in the match would be necessary to maintain the Gers’ title hopes.

McManus believes that the statement was strategic on the part of the Rangers manager, who he feels is trying to take the pressure off his players.

“I just think that he has just tried to take the pressure off the players [by saying that it is not a must-win game]”, McManus said on PLZ Soccer.

“The players realise, the fans realise, Rangers supporters, I have spoken to them, they have got to win the game.

“I think even a draw, they are relying on probably Kilmarnock to beat Celtic and then even that might not be enough in terms of goal difference.

“Celtic are at home in their last game of the season. So, Rangers need to win that game.”

Rangers’ only goal in the match, McManus believes, will be winning, with nothing else acceptable for the Gers.

“If it is one each with ten minutes to go, if it is tight I think Rangers will go out to try and win the game.

“I don’t think they will be playing for a draw.

“Celtic might be cagey thinking that a draw does us, but I think Rangers will go all out, no matter the score, they will go all out to win the game.

“They can’t win the game in the opening 15, 20 minutes but if it is still level with five minutes to go they will throw everything at it and win it because they have got to win.”

With the Scottish Premiership season drawing to its conclusion just three points separate the two sides at the top of the table.

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Everton are preparing to dig their heels in order to hold on Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur target Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer transfer window, according to the Evening Standard.

Branthwaite has been hugely impressive in a difficult season for Everton and earned his maiden England call-up in March.

He is expected to be in the England squad for the European Championship and there is already talk of one of the bigwigs of the Premier League signing him in the summer.

Manchester United and Tottenham are interested in him and the defender would be open to a move away from Everton.

However, it has been claimed that the Merseyside outfit are reluctant to lose him in the summer.

Everton do not want to welcome any offers for Branthwaite after securing their Premier League status.

There is talk of Everton needing to sell one of their prized assets in the summer but for the moment, they do not want it to be the 21-year-old English defender.

It remains to be seen whether any of his suitors get close to his reported asking price of £80m in the upcoming transfer window.

Everton continue to be in the middle of a takeover attempt by 777 Partners.

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Former Rangers winger Ryan Kent will have to impress the new Fenerbahce coach over the course of pre-season if he is to stay at the club, with the Yellow Canaries handing him a final chance.

Kent chose to join the Turkish giants after his contract at Rangers ran out, but the Gers title winner has struggled in Istanbul.

The 27-year-old is approaching the end of his first season in Turkey and has not been able to win over coach Ismail Kartal.

It has been thought that Fenerbahce will look to offload Kent in the approaching summer transfer window.

However, according to Turkish outlet Fotomac, the player’s future beyond the end of the season will depend on Fenerbahce’s new coach.

The Yellow Canaries’ new boss will assess Kent over the course of pre-season and make a decision about him, effectively deciding if he has a future at the club.

The former Rangers star has featured in eight Super Lig games this season but has not enjoyed too many minutes on the pitch.

He won the Scottish Premiership title at Rangers in what was a happy spell, though is now fighting to keep his Turkish dream alive.

Kent’s most productive spell came with Rangers, for whom he made 89 goal contributions between 2018 and 2023. 

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