Danny Rohl’s Rangers Need A Winning Mentality

It is almost the end of another enthralling campaign for loyal Rangers fans and at the time of writing, we all know that our dreams of another Scottish Premiership title in the season of 2025/26 are over, but there should be renewed belief surrounding our demands for better in the near future and that again begins with improvements in our transfer market business.

The three horse race of a season has not ended how anyone would have hoped, and whilst it has been a very poor end under new manager Danny Rohl, there will be those who more than feel that we have seen the required improvements this year that deserve him getting a full season in charge here where even more tickets can be sold to boost our budgets. But that is in no way to say that there are not things that our 37 year old gaffer needs to learn, and learn quickly.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss lived up to more immediate expectations really. He came in as Russell Martin’s replacement and there were improvements in both our playing style and most definitely our results. We did however continue to struggle for consistency, and although his moves in the New Year transfer market did slightly effect that, we all know that a softer underbelly and the inability for some players, in particular, to not only live up to the Ibrox demands and expectations that are placed on them, but also an inability to meet what should be their own self held consistent performance levels, have cost us hugely at the true business end of the year in the second phase post split.

Back to back defeats in the Championship group have left most of the pundits and commentators bemoaning a lack of passion from the players when compared to how much their victory seemed to mean to the table topping Heart of Midlothian side. Naturally, this led to discussions about the approach, and how much difference can be at play on certain key matches, when it comes to a homegrown contingent in a team when compared to those players who may have only read, or heard about, local passions.

Obviously this is only one of the factors to consider when it comes to Rangers again having a very poorly timed dip in form, and there will definitely be those Gers fans out there who have voiced their frustrations at identical failings being on show for another game in succession, along with Rohl’s inability to seemingly effect anything or make changes when it is obvious that a game is turning, or has turned, against us.

For former striker and legend Ally McCoist it was all about identity and affinity with, and for, the Scottish game and Rangers as an institution historically, but it is also about players digging deep, showing personal pride and taking charge when it matters, irrespective of where they may or may not have been born.

That personal pride should outweigh any other factor, but a local affinity, tie and understanding can most definitely be a huge motivating element in that – especially when it comes from a playing colleague who sets the example that everyone else needs to follow.

That, however, has been a regular debate at Ibrox over the last few years when it comes to the character that is needed to play for the club, and in some ways this season shows it perfectly. We are now seven points off top spot once again, and we trail by four victories in the table – but we have a superior goals for column having found the back of the net seven more times than they have. The problem is we have also conceded six more goals when compared to them over the course of the campaign so far.

Motivation, organisation, digging deep in key moments and keeping clean sheets have been the problem. As has a massive 12 draws and the bearing that this has had on our points tally.

McCoist is not wrong to highlight the lack of a winning at all costs mentality and that is now what Rohl must focus on during the summer off season if he wants to last longer than the previous incumbents.