If Danny Rohl Rangers test has had a fair chunk of one thing this season, it’s luck.
When he’s faced any half decent side, he’s frequently fallen short, especially in Europe, but more often than no Rohl faces theoretically strong sides in total turmoil.
At Parkhead they were managed by a farce of a boss, and against Hearts they were missing their two best players.
Against previously strong St Mirren they didn’t even have a boss, and he got two Aberdeen wins against a Sheep side without a manager then one the fans didn’t want.
In short, it’s absolutely true that you can only beat who you face, but Rohl’s had a wee speck of fortune especially domestically.
That luck, sadly for Rangers, has run out.
From here on in, Rangers will be facing only top 7 sides in peak condition for the rest of the season.
Next up is the triumphant Dundee Utd in 7th, who will be absolutely no pushovers, while the hardy Falkirk follow after. Indeed Utd is the final ‘easy’ match Rangers have, and we remember the last time we faced them!
Then it’s the split.
Almost certainly it’s Celtic, Hearts, Falkirk, Hibs and Motherwell as the sides Rangers face.
And they are all in a strong position, even Celtic, whose wheels are coming off a little.
So it literally now is 7 cup finals for each of the top 3, and Danny Rohl will have to get a lot right to get a lot of points.
And his record isn’t great against these 6 teams:
11 matches, won just 5, drawn 5. Lost one of course.
Goals? 16. Conceded, 10.
However, Celtic’s under MON isn’t a lot better for their final 7 either.
Played those sides 9 times, 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. Goals for 14, against 9.
Hearts?
16 matches under McInnes, 9 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws. Goals for, 26, against 24.
So while Rohl’s win rate against these sides is below 50%, MON and McInnes aren’t a glut better. Hearts are the strongest for sure, but they lose more than Rangers or Celtic do. But equally McInnes has been in charge all season, with the other two arriving later.
The draws are Rohl’s achilles heel, the losses are McInnes. MON doesn’t have a clear weakness, his form has just tailed off lately.
In conclusion?
If Rohl converts the draws to wins, Rangers will be champions. But he’s not been doing enough of that. If Hearts continue as they have all season, they will be champs, but it’s not as easy as that. And comically, it’s the same for Celtic. But Rohl needs to up his game and deliver against sides he’s not been delivering against.
Danny Rohl Rangers test starts now.