It’s tough to gain clear perspective right after your first league Old Firm defeat, but Danny Rohl must quickly absorb the lessons. The Rangers boss has seen his side eliminated from the League Cup, Scottish Cup, and now forced into third place in the Scottish Premiership by veteran Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. Three damaging post-split losses to Motherwell, Hearts, and Celtic mean no Champions League qualifier for the Ibrox club.
This raises tough questions and signals another long summer of reflection and restructuring in Govan. But how many times can this cycle repeat? And with reported interest from Germany, will Rohl be around for the next fresh start?
**Is Rohl the Right Man for Rangers?**
Fans are already debating this in pubs, on social media, and around kitchen tables. Before the league split, the answer was a fairly clear “yes.” Rohl inherited a chaotic situation in October, trailing Hearts by 13 points. Yet by early April, Rangers had climbed to the top of the table on goal difference. However, they’ve won just one of their last four games, losing three straight in the top flight for the first time since 2000. Rohl admits that’s not good enough.
“We were in a great position before the split, and this is hard to accept,” he told BBC Sport Scotland after the Celtic Park defeat. “We have to improve and develop quickly. We must learn to be clinical in key moments and avoid mistakes. I’ll take a lot from these last three games to prepare as best I can. I will lead this group, and I’m clear about what we need to improve.”
Former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday noted it’s “only natural for some Rangers fans to have their doubts” about Rohl. Speaking on the BBC Scottish Football Podcast, he added, “It’s the manner of their last two performances, especially when Hearts hit them early and Celtic scored twice in four minutes. Rohl doesn’t like questions about mentality, but it’s no surprise they’re being asked. There’s quality in that squad, but he’s struggling to get the best out of them.”
**How Big Is Rangers’ Summer Rebuild?**
Rangers have already spent heavily on their squad this season—roughly £40 million—though significant income arrived from high-profile departures. Rohl may bristle when his team’s mentality is questioned, but the way they crumbled under pressure raises doubts about the character in the dressing room.
Former Scotland international James McFadden isn’t convinced. “Winning is hard,” he said on Sky Sports. “You need to run more, increase the intensity. That’s the suffering required. But Rangers drop their levels when they’re ahead, and that lets teams back in.”
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd agreed. “Danny Rohl will face serious questions,” Boyd said on Sky Sports. “There’s a mentality problem in that group, no doubt. It’ll be another rebuild in the summer. How long does this go on? There’s a huge summer ahead for Rangers, and I’m tired of saying it.”
