Rangers Face High Stakes in Old Firm Derby Amid Trophy Drought
For Rangers, trophyless campaigns have become a troubling trend over the last decade. Since their return to the Scottish Premiership in 2016, six of the nine full seasons have concluded without silverware. Following their recent defeat to Heart of Midlothian on Monday, the team is on the verge of experiencing their seventh trophyless season out of ten. Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday highlighted the significance of the upcoming Old Firm derby against Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday. He stated, "It's obviously not what they were looking for, but the fact of the matter is Rangers' trophy now is to make sure that Celtic don't win the league," emphasizing the stakes for Danny Rohl and his squad. However, Rohl disagrees with this narrative, asserting that they are focused on their performance and their supporters. He acknowledges that securing a spot in the Champions League remains crucial. A defeat on Sunday could leave Rangers in third place, eliminating their chances of competing in Europe. The pressure is mounting on Rohl, who took charge in October after Russell Martin's tumultuous reign. Despite narrowing a 13-point gap to Hearts, back-to-back defeats have left them seven points adrift with only three games remaining. Rohl's coaching experience has been questioned, particularly regarding his decisions against Motherwell and Hearts. Rohl provided insight into their struggles, citing a lack of movement among players as a critical issue. He stated, "If you don't move an opponent who is man-marking, you will still not find the right solutions." With a record against the top six under Rohl being less than stellar and two cup exits to Celtic, the pressure intensifies. If Celtic triumphs on Sunday, concerns about Rangers' performance in crucial matches are likely to escalate. The stakes are undeniably high.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-09