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Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I spoke to Rafa Benitez about the Rangers job, he would have been interested if Gers considered him says ex-Ibrox star
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS finally named Russell Martin as the permanent successor to Philippe Clement last week. It was after months of speculation over who the next Gers boss would be - and a former Rangers star has revealed he spoke to legendary manager Rafa Benitez about the opening. 3 A former Rangers star has revealed he spoke to Rafa Benitez about the vacancy at Ibrox Credit: Getty 3 The ex-Ger said he felt that the Spaniard would have been interested if Rangers got in touch Credit: AP 3 Gregory Vignal had a season-long loan at Ibrox in the Helicopter Sunday title-winning season Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow Gregory Vignal spent a season on loan at Ibrox in 2004/05, playing 42 times as a member of the famous league title-winning Helicopter Sunday team. The 43-year-old also had a two-month spell with Dundee United in 2012, but didn't make a single appearance as his career wound down with injury. Vignal was loaned to Ibrox from Liverpool, where he met Benitez, and remains in touch with the Spaniard despite never playing a game under him. And the Frenchman told the Daily Record that, in a recent meeting with the 65-year-old, they discussed the prospect of the Rangers gig, which was still vacant at the time. Vignal said: "I met Rafa in Liverpool and we spoke about the Rangers job before Russell got it. "He's not working at a club right now, he's with Uefa. "But if Rangers would have considered him? Of course he would have been interested. "I also spoke to Steven [Gerrard] and joked with him. "I asked if he'd got his apartment in Glasgow ready! "All of those types of guys have been in the game a long time so I have to listen to them and be really humble." Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager Vignal is currently an assistant to Viktors Morozs with Latvian champions RFS, and reckons the team he has there would finish in the top THREE in the Scottish Premiership. He said: "Honestly, RFS would finish in the top three of the Scottish Premiership, I'm telling you, of course they would. "People there might be surprised but it's true, we are good enough to be in the top three in Scotland. "Even in my last job at Versailles, it was bigger than a lot of jobs in Scotland - and that was the French third tier. "We had a £6million budget and for games against Red Star FC in Paris, we had a crowd of around 12,000 people at the game. "So the job I had there, if you compare with some clubs in Scotland, it was bigger." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
I'm a Rangers title winner coaching in Latvia and my team would be top three in Scottish Premiership
Gregory Vignal admits Rangers would be one of his dream jobs but he's happy cutting his teeth with RFS for now He's the Rangers title-winning hero who is now earning his stripes as a coach at Latvia's top club. And he admits that in the future, his dream job would be as Ibrox gaffer. But for now, Gregory Vignal is happy learning his trade at Riga outfit RFS. And the former Gers and Liverpool star has claimed that if his new team were in the Scottish Premiership - they'd finish in the top THREE. Vignal is now a fully qualified coach with a UEFA Pro Licence under his belt and he's fluent in three different languages. He still calls Scotland his home after falling in love with Rangers during a loan spell in Glasgow under Alex McLeish 20 years ago. Vignal was part of their legendary Helicopter Sunday title-winning side and also lifted a League Cup at Hampden. He's now a budding coach and had already been a manager in his own right after a short spell at French third division club Versailles. The 43-year-old is keen to broaden his horizons at the start of his coaching journey and has now taken up a short-term post in Viktors Morozs' backroom team at RFS. They're the Latvian league champions who have competed in the Europa League for the past two seasons. RFS have beaten Ajax and drawn with the likes of Anderlecht - and Vignal is impressed by their set-up. So much so, he's convinced that if they were in the SPFL, they'd be up there challenging the Old Firm. Vignal told Record Sport: 'Honestly, RFS would finish in the top three of the Scottish Premiership. I'm telling you, of course they would. 'People there might be surprised but it's true. We are good enough to be in the top three in Scotland. 'Even in my last job at Versailles, it was bigger than a lot of jobs in Scotland - and that was the French third tier. 'We had a £6million budget and for games against Red Star FC in Paris, we had a crowd of around 12,000 people at the game. 'So the job I had there, if you compare with some clubs in Scotland, it was bigger. 'Here at RFS, we have quality players. 'In the Europa League in recent years, they've done really well against good teams. "The standard is good and that's why I wanted to come here, to see it with my own eyes. 'When you get an opportunity like this you have to take it.' Vignal is determined to become a top coach and, thanks to his time at Ibrox and Anfield, has some stellar contacts in the game like McLeish, Rafa Benitez, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard. During a recent trip back to Liverpool, he spoke with Benitez and Gerrard - who was recently linked with a return as Rangers manager before Russell Martin was appointed. Vignal believes the prestigious post would also have interested the Champions League-winning Spaniard. And for him, it's something he'd love to experience himself in the future. He said: 'Of course, I want to be a number one coach but you have to wait and work for the right opportunity. 'If you're lazy, you can't reach your target. 'My dream job? First, it would be to manage a big team in France. But then, of course, if I could manage a club like Rangers it would be amazing. 'Everyone knows I love that football club. Liverpool would also be a dream - but I'm not the only coach who wants these jobs! 'I'm dreaming big but I think you have to. If you don't, you stand still. I know what I have to do but you need a chance. 'Every top coach has to start somewhere. Gerard Houllier always told me that. He believed in me. 'I speak to Rafa, Alex and also Gordon Strachan for good advice. I've even had good conversations with Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness recently. 'I met Rafa in Liverpool and we spoke about the Rangers job before Russell got it. 'He's not working at a club right now, he's with UEFA. 'But if Rangers would have considered him? Of course he would have been interested. 'I also spoke to Steven and joked with him. I asked if he'd got his apartment in Glasgow ready! 'All of those types of guys have been in the game a long time so I have to listen to them and be really humble. 'I trust myself and my ability. Hopefully my day will come.' Vignal is enjoying working with players from different countries at RFS. He hopes he's proved his commitment to becoming a top coach by stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Latvia. Vignal, who is attracting interest from English clubs, said: 'I've been really surprised by how good the club is, in terms of its organisation and structure. 'People think you're only properly working in football if you're at a club in the top five leagues. 'That's totally wrong. Even in a small country like Latvia, some of these clubs now are so well run. 'Riga is a beautiful city and I'm really enjoying it. 'And since I arrived here, my phone has started ringing more. It's as if work leads to more work, if you understand. 'It feels like I'm getting my coaching career on track now. 'I hope people see that commitment is a big part of my character. 'Even if it's not an easy way, I'm not afraid to take it. 'I'm willing to make sacrifices to get to where I want to go. 'It is a multi-cultural dressing-room with players from lots of different countries like Brazil, Ivory Coast and Serbia. 'I hope that's another reason why I got the job because I speak three languages myself, French, English and Spanish. 'In terms of my profile, that definitely adds to it. That kind of thing can only be good for me.'
STV News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
McLeish: Rangers need to get recruitment right to help Martin
Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes the Ibrox club need to get their recruitment right this summer to give new manager Russell Martin the best possible start. The American takeover of the club was quickly followed by the appointment of Martin, who has managed MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton in the past, and the new owners believe he is the man to help take the team to trophies and domestic success as well as progress in Europe. McLeish, who won seven major trophies including a table in his time as Rangers manager, says the takeover 'can only be good' for his former club and has created real positivity around Ibrox. But he says that with the squad needing rebuilt, there's no time to waste and after 'languishing' in recent years, 'it's time to pull their socks up and get to as high a level as they can against the big rivals Celtic'. He told STV: 'It's good to see Russell Martin in the job. Russell's been here for a small period of time but he will absolutely know what it's all about and get it. 'The demand from the fans is very, very high and it's probably one of about 20 clubs in the world where you have to win every week.' Fan reaction to Martin's appointment has been less than positive in some quarters, with his sacking after Southampton suffered in the Premier League last year being a reason that some fans would have preferred another candidate. McLeish says his players simply weren't as good as those in multi-million pound squads at opposition clubs and it was proof that a coach is limited without adequate signings. 'I think Russell has got a good personality,' he said. 'I think he's a confident guy. 'I don't think anyone gave them a chance at Southampton. As we saw, it was a very tough job with the players not being at as high a level as others. That's what happens, you're not as high as everyone else then you are going to be in trouble. 'It doesn't matter how great a coach anybody in the world is, if you've not got the quality to get above the others then the guy can't get his own techniques [across]. 'So in terms of recruitment, it really is a high priority at every club in the world now. 'Sometimes I feel that in the past few years, Rangers have got that part wrong.' Personal experience tells the former Rangers boss that a quick turnaround can still achieve positive results. 'I experienced a period as well when there was a mass exodus,' he said. 'Arthur Numan quit, Barry Ferguson went to England, Lorenzo Amoruso went to England and we lost a lot of players. 'We didn't have the greatest of seasons and for the next season we prepared very quickly and were very careful about picking the players that we thought could win the championship. 'And as it turns out, on the very last day, on Helicopter Sunday, we did.' McLeish believes character is important when picking signings and is of the opinion that some players at Rangers in recent years haven't been the right type. Getting in the players who are can help the new manager achieve his ambitions. 'You have to have a bit of character, bravery and self-belief when you come to a club like Rangers,' he said. 'I think sometimes over the years, at Rangers and Celtic, you feel that some players didn't really understand what they were all about. 'The sooner they bring in players that do understand and also get it quickly, the recruitment has to be the absolute number one priority.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
The glaring Rangers and 49ers quirk of history spotted by NFL that could see Ibrox legions quids in
Light Blue legions will be hoping a repeat of previous successes for the two respective sporting giants is on the cards again It might be the twist of fate that could earn Rangers fans a fortune next season. The Ibrox punters' motto ever since their Helicopter Sunday title triumph 20 years ago has been 'Keep Believing'. And after being taken over by Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers, they're dreaming of another prophecy coming true. If it does - at odds of 50/1 with some bookies - it could mean supporters end up cashing in next May. Under new American ownership, the Ibrox club will attempt to challenge Celtic for the Premiership and bid to stop the Hoops getting five-in-a-row. And on the other side of the Big Pond, their new NFL partners the 49ers are aiming to win their first Super Bowl in 30 years. If you stick a double on Bet365, with Gers at 2/1 for the title and the 49ers at a huge 16/1 for their big prize - you're getting combined odds of 50/1. It might seem like a long shot but maybe not if you believe in good omens. Because history tells you that the last three times San Francisco have won the Super Bowl - Rangers have won the league in Scotland. The 49ers have been successful in 1989, 1990 and 1995 - which have coincided with the Ibrox men becoming champions. In '89, they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, in '90 they hammered the Denver Broncos and in '95 they beat the San Diego Chargers. Meanwhile, Rangers' last title win was in 2021 when Steven Gerrard was in charge. Their fans will be hoping the run continues this season - even if the NFL side are big outsiders to lift the Super Bowl for a sixth time. The stat was shared by NFL UK on Instagram after the 49ers Enterprises successful takeover at Ibrox along with US tycoon Cavenagh last week.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Lyall Cameron can give Rangers foreign legion a dose of tartan DNA as Ibrox import stresses key transfer strategy
Gregory Vignal was an import from abroad into a Rangers team that had a distinctly Scottish core and it worked Gregory Vignal was among the swathe of overseas imports who made up Alex McLeish's Ibrox league of nations. As well as the Frenchman's Tricolore, the flags of Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisian and Trinidad and Tobago were thrown together in a mix-match tapestry. Piecing together that disparate band of nationalities and cultures would have been difficult enough even without the pressure of winning silverware at Rangers. But Vignal remembers how the tartan thread running through Big Eck's dressing room helped stitch Gers' foreign legion in a title-winning force back in 2005. With the likes of Barry Ferguson, Alex Rae and Alan Hutton setting standards, the homegrown stars ensured those born elsewhere quickly learned what was required to win in Glasgow - culminating in the Helicopter Sunday triumph that the club celebrated 25 years ago this week. And that's why the former Ibrox ace is so pleased to see his old side move again to add a dollop of local flavour to the exotic mix currently making up the Light Blues first-team. Vignal was on the coaching staff at Dundee when Govan-bound Lyall Cameron was first showing signs of promise at Dens Park. And the retired defender reckons making domestic signings like the pre-contract agreement that is set to take the 22-year-old to Ibrox this summer will be vital if Gers are to again reach the heights his side once did. He told Record Sport: 'It's good move for Lyall, I think, and at the right time. He's a good Scottish prospect. I think it's always good to see this type of player going to Rangers. 'It's something the club needs more of, homegrown talent. I already spoke with a few people from Rangers and I told them, 'that's the way you should do it'. 'I don't know exactly the vision they've got right now, but it looks like they might be going for the best Scottish young players who can play for a big club and then maybe move after later on to the Premier League or Championship. 'Look, it's always important to have what I call Scottish DNA. During my time, I had Barry Ferguson, Alex Rae, Alan Hutton starting every game. 'It's always important because they know the club, they know the history. 'So when you come and you sign for this football club, it's always important to have the right message and if you know the environment, it's even better. 'It doesn't guarantee you success but I think it's always important to have the local guy, the one who loves the club and who understands the Rangers DNA.' Cameron will be joining a team that finished eight places and 34 points ahead of Dundee - and yet the Ibrox faithful will feel every bit as dissatisfied with the past 12 months as the Dee support whose side only escaped a relegation play-off by the skin of their teeth. The Scotland Under-21 ace certainly showed he could handle the pressure at the bottom by firing four goals in the Dark Blues' final three games to nudge the Taysiders to safety. And Vignal is confident he will handle the strain at the top just as well. He said: 'I think he will, if he's got the right people behind the scenes because it's not only people from the football club, but people from the family supporting you. 'But I mean, playing for this football club is just simple — you have to win trophies, you have to win the title, end of. 'So, you must be a winner week in and week out. If you can't cope with the pressure and the demand from the fans, don't come. 'That why when I joined Rangers, it was the first thing Alex McLeish said to me. 'I just told him I want to win every game, even every training session. Once you say that, afterwards you can't complain about the fans because they're supporting the team, they pay money, they're travelling. 'When you have 50,000 fans making the effort to come to Ibrox, of course they want at least to see they want something back from the players, from the club. 'It's not easy because it's massive pressure. 'But I think Lyall will be capable of coping with this pressure. I think if he's listening, if he understands the DNA and he's got the right attitude on and off the pitch, he will perform.' It was Philippe Clement who signed off on Gers' move for Cameron but with the Belgian gone, the Ibrox faithful as well as the new signing are waiting with interest to see who takes over next. Will it be a return to the former methods previously employed by Steven Gerrard or a new approach under the likes of Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin? Whatever direction Rangers move in, Vignal has backed his former pupil to adapt. 'I know Lyall well,' said the former Dens youth coach, now 43. 'I joined Dundee in the summer of 2021 and was there until June 2023. 'I was working with a squad of development players with Stephen Wright and Scott Robertson and Lyall was part of this process. 'The idea was to produce a young boy towards the first team in Dundee and, of course, afterwards the club can hopefully make some money. 'Lyall always had a very good attitude because he always worked hard and never complained. 'And now to see him playing at this first-tea, level, he gets better and better. 'He's a clever boy. He's earned a lot of respect. 'I think moving to Rangers will be a great experience for him because he will have to cope with a new environment, new targets also because of the demand. 'I always saw his potential. He was good with the ball, technically, good in a one-on-one situation, quick at reading the game really well, capable of playing forward, to break the lines, to be involved in the final third. 'He has different kinds of aspects in terms of a midfielder. He can play as a No6, a No8 or even a forward. It just depends on the shape of the team. 'That's an advantage, of course. It wasn't an easy process but we pushed him a lot. I expect him to go up another level at Ibrox." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
