Rohls Rangers Charge Forward

Following Rangers’ hard-fought victory over Hibernian, former striker and coach Billy Dodds remarked, “This title race is becoming quite intriguing with the number of teams involved.”

When Danny Rohl took over as head coach of Rangers on October 20, thoughts of a title race were far from the minds of the fans.

They were still coping with the aftermath of watching their previous manager, Russell Martin, being hurried into a getaway car after a 1-1 draw at Falkirk, which left the team languishing in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership—11 points behind leaders Hearts and just four points above bottom-placed Aberdeen.

In the gap between that disappointing result and Rohl’s introduction, interim coach Steven Smith oversaw a 2-2 draw against Dundee United, leaving Rangers 13 points off the top.

However, their recent win on Monday marked the sixth since Rohl’s appointment, propelling the Ibrox club to third place, just nine points adrift of Hearts—who they will face on Sunday—while holding a game in hand.

“Rangers earned the win; they’re beginning to build momentum,” Dodds shared on BBC Sportsound.

“It was a crucial three points, achieved through a pragmatic approach.”

“If you’re not at your best, just ensure you secure the victory. That’s the mindset Rangers are adopting.”

‘Not pretty, but we found a way to win’

It wasn’t an inspiring Monday at Ibrox, but Rangers will gladly take the win.

For much of the first half, they found themselves outplayed by a Hibs side that started strongly but faltered in the final third.

David Gray’s team built from the back and capitalized on the spaces left by Rangers in midfield, yet they hesitated against a defense that was eager to be challenged.

Gray noted this theme of hesitation, which prevented Hibs from securing consecutive league wins in Govan for the first time since 2018, while Rangers seized the opportunity.

When Emmanuel Fernandez connected with a flick off Dujon Sterling’s exquisite cross, it came completely against the run of play.

While it didn’t generate an immediate surge in confidence, it gave Rangers something to defend, which they managed to do with relative ease.

“It wasn’t always the prettiest football, but we’re discovering how to win games,” Rohl stated to BBC Scotland after his team recorded their fifth clean sheet.

“I’d love for us to be more clinical. I’m pleased with the points, but we have to improve. It’s all about taking things step by step, and for me, winning is the priority.”

This victory sets the stage for an exciting match against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Derek McInnes’ league leaders have hit a minor slump but made a statement with a win over Celtic, followed by a gritty performance against Falkirk in challenging conditions, reaffirming their title ambitions.

The last time these teams faced off in September, Hearts’ win at Ibrox—marking their first victory there since 2014—catapulted them three points clear at the top, and it signaled a rocky start for Martin, who became the first Ibrox manager in 47 years to fail to win any of his first five league games.

Since then, the atmosphere surrounding Rangers has improved, thanks to the stability and strategic approach Rohl has brought to the club, at least in terms of league performance, where he remains undefeated.

He rarely addresses the media without emphasizing the importance of making “a step forward,” regardless of its size.

If they manage to return from Gorgie with points, it will be a significant leap.

“We must be bold,” Rohl added. “When we play offensively instead of defensively, I believe we have more than enough quality to challenge any opponent in the league.”

“Let’s see how Sunday’s game unfolds.”

“We need to put in our best effort and understand what’s at stake this weekend. It’s all about securing three points, taking the next step forward, and maintaining our momentum.”

What are the fans saying?

Alex: “Winning is the priority. Performance can come later. Winning boosts confidence, and I’d rather see us win poorly than play well and lose.”

Alastair: “I’m not quite sure how to feel about that. It’s tough to watch, but victories keep coming. Having cheered for our anti-football through to the UEFA Cup final, I suppose I need to accept our new style and support what’s happening at the club.”

Gavin: “It was a scrappy match, but Danny Rohl’s Rangers keep pushing forward. Winning is what counts—no need for fancy tactics, just a clear head.”

Derek: “Three points earned, but it was another sluggish performance. Where is the fast-flowing attacking football? On a bright side, it’s good to see Dujon Sterling back—excellent clearance off the line and a quality assist.”

William: “It wasn’t visually appealing, but right now, three points are all that matters. We just need to keep the momentum going ahead of a tough matchup at Tynecastle on Sunday.”