Rangers manager Danny Rohl faces scrutiny as Old Firm derby becomes final season priority
Back-to-back defeats have ended the title challenge, leaving the German boss to defend his tactical decisions while admitting the squad's standards require significant improvement.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl is under increasing pressure following a series of back-to-back defeats that have effectively ended his side's title challenge in the Scottish Premiership. With Heart of Midlothian currently leading the league, a victory over Celtic in the upcoming Old Firm derby is now described as a "timely tonic" and potentially the only trophy the club can secure for the remainder of the campaign. Conversely, a defeat in this fixture would likely consign Rangers to third place, thereby eliminating their path to Champions League qualification.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has suggested that the primary objective for the remainder of the season has shifted to ensuring Celtic do not win the league, framing the derby win as a matter of pride. However, Rohl insists the team is still playing for themselves and their supporters, maintaining that Champions League qualification remains the aim despite the mathematical reality. He has publicly acknowledged that the squad's mentality and standards require significant improvement to avoid extending the club's trophyless streak to seven out of ten full seasons since returning to the top flight in 2016.
Specific tactical criticisms have emerged regarding Rohl's management of recent matches, including his decision not to start Mikey Moore against Motherwell and a slow adaptation to Hearts' changes during the second half of that game. The manager highlighted a lack of movement from his players when man-marked as a key issue in these failures, noting that failing to find solutions under pressure is a critical area for development. This diagnosis may not be well-received by fans, particularly given the team's poor record against the rest of the top six under his tenure.
Rohl took charge in October following the short and tumultuous reign of Russell Martin, initially receiving praise for hauling the team into the title race. While the squad has seen improvements in players such as Youssef Chermiti, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Nasser Djiga, alongside January signings like Tuur Rommens, Tochi Chukwuani, and Ryan Naderi, the results have not matched the early optimism. Despite these personnel changes, Rangers have a poor record against the rest of the top six under Rohl and have exited both cup competitions to Celtic.
Only Hearts and Dundee United have claimed more points from losing positions in the league than Rangers, highlighting a specific fragility when the side goes behind. Rohl admitted that a process without winning titles is not enough for the club's future, stating that new standards must be set within the building. He remains motivated and ambitious for the new season, though the immediate focus is on the upcoming fixture at Celtic Park where the stakes for the German coach and his side are at their highest.
