Rangers Face Crucial Summer Rebuild After Old Firm Derby Defeat
In the wake of a disappointing Old Firm derby defeat, Danny Rohl faces a daunting task as the head coach of Rangers. The team has suffered significant setbacks, being knocked out of both the League Cup and Scottish Cup, and now finds itself in third place in the Scottish Premiership, trailing behind rivals Celtic. The recent defeats against Motherwell, Hearts, and Celtic have left Rangers without a chance to qualify for the Champions League. This situation raises pressing questions about the team's future and Rohl's role amid speculation of interest from Germany. Despite a promising start in April when Rangers briefly topped the league, their form has dipped dramatically, winning only once in their last four matches. Rohl acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We had a great position before the split and this is hard to take. We have to learn in these key moments to be clinical and play without mistakes." Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday expressed concerns over the team's mentality, particularly after their lackluster responses to recent defeats. He highlighted that quality exists within the squad, but Rohl struggles to maximize it. Similarly, James McFadden and Kris Boyd pointed out a mentality issue, emphasizing that winning requires more effort and intensity. Rangers have invested heavily in their squad, spending around £40m this season, yet questions remain about whether the right characters are present in the dressing room. With the team conceding 13 goals in five games, defensive issues have become a significant concern. As the season winds down, Rangers have little left to play for besides pride, while Celtic eyes another league and cup double. A critical summer lies ahead for Rohl and his squad, with Halliday suggesting that financial backing may be limited without Champions League revenue, complicating their rebuilding efforts.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-11