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Upon Danny Rohl’s appointment as head coach, Rangers faced daunting odds of 14-1 to secure the Scottish Premiership title. For the Ibrox club, such long odds were indicative of their challenging position.
That was the stark reality they confronted. Now, they trail league leaders Hearts by a mere six points, intensifying the pressure at the summit of the league.
Initially, the German’s arrival spurred immediate improvements in results, although consistent performance took longer to materialize.
Currently, there is a growing sentiment that the head coach is unlocking the potential of his squad – one that many had dismissed – and their prospects will be further bolstered by winter reinforcements.
How has he revitalized a team that, under Russell Martin, was struggling to navigate challenging circumstances? And what key additions does he still require during this transfer window?
Scottish Football Podcast: Rangers fate sealed but winning run continues
22/01/2026 2300
Rangers’ Europa League fate sealed despite Ludogorets win
While insufficient to secure progression in the competition, the 1-0 Europa League victory over Ludogorets marked Danny Rohl and Rangers’ seventh consecutive win.
The club is riding a wave of momentum, and the triumph over the Hungarians has only served to amplify the renewed optimism surrounding Ibrox.
Rohl has overseen 21 matches, suffering five defeats, with only one of those losses coming at the hands of league leaders, Hearts.
“Considering the trajectory of the campaign thus far, this has to be viewed as a positive development,” commented pundit James McFadden on Rangers’ performance on Thursday night. “Their European form this season has been notably poor, but they have undeniably turned a corner.”
“Winning becomes a habit. It’s a beneficial habit to cultivate. You need to be fully engaged in every single match.”
The progress and improvement are evident in several players.
Nicolas Raskin concluded last season as Rangers’ most valuable player. A strained relationship with Martin threatened to impede his development at Ibrox, but under Rohl’s guidance, he has rediscovered some of his finest form.
Preferring to play as a number six, he contested and won more duels against Ludogorets than any other player. He executed six tackles, winning three – a team high for Rangers.
The Belgian international created more chances, registered more touches, and completed more accurate passes than any other player on the pitch.
His midfield partner Mohamed Diomande, who scored the winning goal, is also experiencing a resurgence in form. Nine touches within the opposition box demonstrates his attacking intent, while his 97% pass accuracy epitomizes the consistency Rangers have begun to exhibit.
Chermiti has just four goals from his 25 Rangers’ appearances so far
While Youssef Chermiti received plaudits for his Old Firm heroics earlier in the month, he and Bojan Miovski squandered opportunities on Thursday, and questions remain regarding their capacity to secure the number nine role.
“Rangers are not yet the finished product; there is still work to be done, but they are progressing in the right direction,” McFadden observed. “Significant progress has been made, but they need to strengthen their attacking options.”
“They are securing victories. Are they performing at their fluent best? No, but that’s not crucial. Somehow, they have managed to position themselves in a title race.”
There have been at least some reinforcements. Toko Chukwuani has arrived as a defensive midfielder, and Rohl has also brought in left-back Tuur Rommens – a position of concern given Jayden Meghoma was the only natural player in that role – and winger Andreas Skov Olsen.
The latter is considered a significant acquisition, joining on loan from Wolfsburg, and provides much-needed quality on the wings. Djiedi Gassama’s form has declined, and while Mikey Moore has improved, Oliver Antman remains sidelined due to injury.
Ineligible for the win over Ludogorets, the trio are expected to feature against Dundee in some capacity. That game could prove pivotal in the context of the season, given that Hearts and Celtic will face each other at Tynecastle on the same day.
“I had written off this season,” admitted pundit Steven Thompson at Ibrox. “There were changes at board level, and the recruitment was inadequate, but Danny Rohl has rewritten the narrative.”
“He deserves considerable credit for that. At times, the football was impressive, while at other times it was merely satisfactory. But it’s a clean sheet in Europe, and it sustains this positive momentum.”
If the other two title contenders cancel each other out, Rangers could close the gap to within three points. A significant improvement from the early days under Martin.
“Danny Rohl has performed an exceptional job with this group of players,” said former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday. “The lingering question remains – can they go the extra mile? Many doubted this group’s capacity to step up.”
“I believe they require assistance, and the most impactful assistance would be the addition of a number nine to lead the attack.”
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