Rangers prioritising move to sign “strong” 6ft 4 box-crasher after scouting mission

Rangers are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign a 6’4 midfield star for Danny Rohl in January after sending scouts to watch their target in action.

Rohl makes first Rangers transfer request

It’s been a solid start from Rohl, even when considering the last two frustrating draws against Falkirk and Dundee United. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has at least steadied the ship and should have the chance to stamp his mark on his Rangers side in January.

Without the influence of failed sporting director Kevin Thelwell, the young manager is likely to have a larger say on potential incomings and he’s already made his first request as a result.

Rangers must sell flop who's "worse than Chermiti" as Rohl eyes new signing

Glasgow Rangers must sell this flop in the January transfer window as Danny Rohl eyes a signing in his position.

By
Dan Emery

7 days ago

According to recent reports, Rohl has personally commenced a scouting mission to sign a clinical striker after asking the 49ers to sign him a reliable goalscorer, dynamic midfielder and versatile full-back.

Speaking to reporters about the winter window earlier this month, the Rangers boss said: “In general, I’m in a conversation with Andrew (Cavenagh) nearly every two or three days.

“I think this is crucial. He will be also in, in the next couple of days, so we will have the next meetings. I give my feedback every day or every matchday back to him. What I see is not just about positions, also what is important for us as a group – which profiles we need.

“From the skills, from the tools, from a specialist in some areas, I think this is crucial. It’s not just about the physical speed, it’s also the mindset, how quick is the mind at the moment, how quick you can receive the ball, how quick you can accelerate our game.”

Now, with that in mind, Rangers have reportedly identified their first potential signing for Rohl in Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl this winter.

Rangers prioritising Hjerto-Dahl deal

According to TeamTalk, Rangers are now prioritising a deal to sign Hjerto-Dahl in the January transfer window after sending their scouts. Rohl reportedly wants the 6’4 box-crashing star to match his request for a new dynamic midfielder at Ibrox.

The Gers aren’t the only club interested, however. Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Sunderland have all reportedly maintained contact in the race to secure Hjerto-Dahl’s signature.

A former Liverpool target who was dubbed “strong” by scout Kai Watson earlier this week, Hjerto-Dahl is certainly someone to watch.

Given the amount of interest in his signature, it would undoubtedly be a major coup if Rangers managed to land the 6’4 Norwegian midfielder in January. As first signings go, Rohl would be landing an excellent addition ahead of Premier League clubs.

Not just Miovski: Rohl must drop Rangers flop who lost 86% duels

'Absolutely rapid' Wood pushes for first Test selection after injury scare

The fast bowler hit his stride in the Perth nets three days from the start of the Ashes

Vithushan Ehantharajah18-Nov-20257:21

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Mark Wood’s chances of playing the first Test against Australia took a positive step forward on Tuesday with a 40-minute spell in the nets at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where the Ashes begins on Friday.Returning from a hamstring scare during the warm-up match against England Lions last week, Wood, left leg heavily strapped, watched on initially as England returned to training after a couple of days off. However, he was soon into meaningful work with the ball, with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum taking a closer look at their prized asset from the standing umpire’s point-of-view.Related

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“He was absolutely rapid today, I can tell you that firsthand,” said Jamie Smith, who was one of the batters facing Wood. “He’s definitely one to avoid on the list. He’s near enough full tilt so it’s good signs for us.”England are expected to opt for an all-pace attack on a pitch regarded as one of the fastest in the world. They had their first look at the surface, which was watered yesterday, ahead of training.Wood is a key component of their plan, not just as the quickest in the touring party – and, perhaps, the circuit – but also as the only specialist bowler with previous Ashes tour experience. Wood was the standout quick during the 2021-22 series, taking 17 wickets at 26.64, with a number of batters he troubled still part of the current Australia side.Mark Wood steams in at training•Getty Images

Much will depend on how Wood pulls up on Wednesday, and whether he can get through another session later in the day. He has not played competitive cricket since February, spending the last nine months recovering from left knee surgery, having suffered a stress fracture of the right elbow in September 2024.Selecting Wood remains a risk, albeit one that will be cushioned among four other quicks, including Stokes, and with Jofra Archer able to provide further support on the express pace front. It is also a risk England are more than willing to take.The management were not overly worried when Wood left the field against the Lions with a tight hamstring after two four-over spells. The soft outfield at Lilac Hills contributed to that discomfort in what was Wood’s first bowl since England’s penultimate Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, on February 26. And given the investment in Wood, which includes a three-year central contract with this Ashes in mind, there is a sense now is the time to cash in.Josh Tongue, the likely beneficiary if Wood is deemed unfit for selection, reiterated that sentiment: “It feels like if he’s good to go and the management feels he’s good to go, I don’t see why not.”

Crystal Palace determined to agree deal with £150k-p/w star who Glasner loves

Crystal Palace are now “determined” to end the “speculation” and tie down one of their key players to a new contract.

Palace stars attracting interest from top clubs

With Palace punching above their weight so far this season, currently sitting in the Champions League places, it shouldn’t be surprising that some top clubs are lining up to sign their key players, and Real Madrid are now preparing a £35m January bid for Marc Guehi.

Oliver Glasner has already confirmed Guehi is set to leave in 2026, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, saying: “The club wanted [Guehi to stay]. They offered Marc a new contract. But he said, ‘No, I want to make something different.’ And that’s normal.

“And for us, it’s how we can deal with this situation? [What] is the best way to get this next step done? And that’s all about how we are talking together.”

The Eagles will still be holding out hope of retaining some of their other key players, however, and they are in a strong negotiating position when it comes to Adam Wharton, with the former Blackburn Rovers man under contract until 2029.

Daichi Kamada has also been a vital player this season, featuring in 21 matches in all competitions, and former scout Mick Brown has now revealed that Glasner is a big fan of the midfielder, with Palace very keen to tie him down to a new deal.

In an interview with Football Insider, Brown said: “From what I’m told, the management and coaching staff rate him very highly, and that’s always a positive when they have that sort of relationship.

“Palace are determined to recognise what he’s brought to the team, and to keep hold of him because of how impressive he has been.

“They’ll want to have him tied down before the end of the season to put an end to any speculation, so now it’s up to them to see if they can reach an agreement.”

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ByDominic Lund 3 days ago Palace must tie Kamada down to new contract

The Japan international is on big money at Selhurst Park, reported to rake in £150k-a-week, but with his current deal set to expire in the summer, it is very important Palace agree a new contract.

The 29-year-old has started every game he’s been available for in the Premier League, since overcoming a knee injury, winning the Player of the Month Award in both September and October.

Glasner has also singled the former Lazio man out for praise in the past, describing him as “excellent” after putting in an impressive performance against Brighton last season.

With Guehi set to leave and Wharton attracting major interest, it is important there is not a mass exodus at Selhurst Park in the summer and Palace keep hold of their important players, so they should look to secure Kamada’s future very soon.

India's WTC final prospects take a hit after 2-0 loss to South Africa

They are down at No. 5 in the World Test Championship table and have plenty to do the the second half of their cycle

S Rajesh26-Nov-2025India’s 2-0 series defeat against South Africa has seriously dented their chances of making the World Test Championship final. Halfway into their 2025-27 cycle – India have played nine out of 18 Tests – they are languishing in fifth place on the table, at 48.15%.It’s still early days for many of the other teams – New Zealand haven’t played a single series yet, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have played one, and England have just started their second – but with Australia (100%) and South Africa (75%) having begun so strongly, India will have to do much more in the second half of their campaign to stand a chance of finishing in the top two.Going by the numbers from the last two WTC cycles, teams will need to be in the 60-65% range to stand a chance of making the cut. In the 2021-23 cycle, India qualified as the second team for the final with a percentage of 58.8, while Australia’s 67.54% won them second place in the previous edition.Related

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For India to get to 60%, they need to finish on 130 points, since they’re playing 18 Tests in this cycle (18 x 12 points = 216). Teams earn 12 points for a win, and four points for a draw. So India need 78 more points from their remaining nine Tests – two each in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and five at home against Australia. They can get there in at least two ways, assuming they aren’t docked any points:- six wins and a couple of draws: 6 x 12 + 2 x 4 = 80
– seven wins: 7 x 12 = 84Before they take on Australia early in 2027 in their next home Test series, India have two-match series lined up in Sri Lanka (in August 2026) and New Zealand (October-November 2026). India have an excellent recent record in Sri Lanka, winning five of their last six Tests there (though the last tour was in 2017), but New Zealand has been a much tougher to crack: they lost 2-0 in 2020 and 1-0 in 2014. Even if India win all four of those Tests, they will probably still go into the series against Australia needing plenty of points to finish among the top two.Australia have made a terrific start to their WTC campaign with four wins out of four. With six home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand lined up in this cycle, they have an excellent chance of making another final, and accumulating most of the points they need for it before the tour of India begins.South Africa are well-placed too, with three wins from four Tests in two away series. Their only remaining overseas series in this cycle is against Sri Lanka in February 2027. Their home games won’t be easy, though, with six Tests against Australia and England, apart from two against Bangladesh. If they win both home Tests against Bangladesh, they will only need 41 points from their eight remaining Tests to finish at 60%.Some of the other teams could come into contention too as the cycle progresses – only 17 out of 71 matches have been played so far in this edition – but regardless of how the other teams perform, India’s home defeats could seriously hurt their prospects in this cycle, just as they did in the previous one.

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