Danny Rohl took charge at Rangers in October, with his contract running through the 2027-28 season [PA Media]
Gaining perspective right after your first league Old Firm derby defeat is tough, but Danny Rohl must learn lessons swiftly. The Rangers head coach has been knocked out of the League Cup, Scottish Cup, and now dropped to third place in the Scottish Premiership, outmaneuvered by his experienced Celtic counterpart Martin O’Neill. Without a Champions League qualifier spot following three crushing post-split losses to Motherwell, Hearts, and Celtic, tough questions arise, leading to another lengthy summer of reflection and rebuilding at Ibrox. Yet, how many times can this cycle repeat? And will Rohl still be around for the latest fresh start, amid rumors of interest from Germany?
Is Rohl the right man for Rangers? This question is already buzzing on social media, in pubs, and around kitchen tables among Rangers supporters. Until the split, the answer would have been a fairly clear “yes.” Rohl inherited a major mess in October, including a 13-point gap to Hearts. By early April, Rangers had edged to the top of the league on goal difference, with Hearts yet to play. However, since then, they have won only once in four games, losing three straight in the top flight for the first time since 2000. That’s far from acceptable, as the German is first to admit. “We had a great position before the split, and this is hard to take. We have to improve and develop quickly,” he told reporters after the Celtic Park defeat. “We must learn in key moments to be clinical and play without mistakes. We will learn from this. I will take a lot from the last three games to prepare the best way possible. I will lead this group, and I am clear about what we need to improve.”
Former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday noted it was “only natural for some Rangers fans to have their doubts” about Rohl. Speaking on a football podcast, he added: “It’s the manner of their last two performances, in particular. When Hearts gave them a punch on the nose at Tynecastle, they didn’t respond, and it was the same after Celtic gave them a one-two inside four minutes. He doesn’t like questions about mentality, but it’s no surprise these questions are coming. I think there is quality in that squad, and at the moment, Rohl is struggling to get the best out of them.”
Rangers can now only finish in third place.
How extensive is Rangers’ summer rebuild? Rangers have already spent a relative fortune on their squad this season—around £40 million—though a significant amount came back with some high-profile, lucrative departures. Rohl may bristle when his squad’s mentality is questioned, but the way the side crumbled under pressure raises concerns about whether there are enough strong characters in the Ibrox dressing room. Former Scotland international James McFadden is not convinced. “Winning’s hard,” he said on a sports network. “You need to run more, you need to up the intensity. That’s the suffering you need. But Rangers drop their levels when they’re in front, and that’s allowing teams in.”
His former international colleague and ex-Rangers player Kris Boyd agrees. “Danny Rohl will come under serious questions,” Boyd said. “There is a mentality problem within that group, there is no doubt about it. Again, it’ll be another rebuild in the summer. How long does it go on for, though? There’s a big, big summer for Rangers coming.”