The fallout from Wednesday night's events at Fir Park has been nothing short of explosive. Social media erupted, while television and radio stations across the border placed Scottish football at the top of their news agendas. Yet, perhaps inevitably amid the meltdown, it almost felt as though Rangers had been forgotten. With so much drama and controversy unfolding elsewhere, the happenings at Ibrox became an afterthought.
However, Danny Rohl must now realise that being Rangers manager does not grant a free pass. Not when he has just overseen a fourth consecutive league defeat, the club's worst top-flight run since 1983. Not when he has completely squandered a golden opportunity to win the title. And certainly not when he has turned what should have been a straightforward farewell to a departing captain into a total shambles.
Upon being informed he would not start against Hibs, James Tavernier effectively threw a tantrum and withdrew from the squad altogether. Ultimately, he had to be coaxed into attending to collect a memento from John Greig before kick-off. Wiping away tears rather than wearing the jersey one last time, the scene was undeniably awkward. Neither Tavernier nor Rohl have covered themselves in glory this week.
This debacle has been poorly handled by all parties. Rohl's version of events was given short shrift by Tavernier in an emotional social media post on Thursday night. Tavernier admitted the situation was mishandled on all fronts, but claimed he felt 'deeply hurt and let down' by the manager denying him the chance to start and lead the team out. It was a personal issue as much as anything, with Tavernier wanting to walk out with his children as mascots. He and his family were excited about the prospect of doing exactly that.
Why did Rohl not afford him that courtesy? Regardless of one's views on Tavernier as a player, 11 years of service should surely allow him to leave on his own terms. The game was a dead rubber; it is not as though starting Dujon Sterling ahead of Tavernier at right-back would have significantly altered the outcome. The sensible approach would have been to start Tavernier, give him an hour, and then substitute him to a standing ovation.
When Tavernier announced his decision to leave a few weeks ago, it seemed to catch the club by surprise. He made the announcement independently, rather than collaboratively with the club. Hanging him out to dry as they have done is hardly an effective way to make a point. This incident speaks to wider unrest behind the scenes over recent weeks between the manager, the captain, and the squad as a whole.
Rohl's handling of this affair has exposed his naivety and inexperience as a manager. He is not operating from a position of strength. A considerable portion of the Rangers support believes he should be sacked; a banner outside Ibrox on Wednesday night called for his head. When managers face such pressure, they need all the goodwill and political capital they can muster. By snubbing Tavernier, Rohl only heaped more pressure and scrutiny on himself, generating additional negative headlines that have been abundant in recent weeks.
There is now a very real danger that he has lost the dressing room. It was telling that several Rangers players, past and present, sided with Tavernier by liking his social media post on Thursday night. While a summer clearout is inevitable, not all players will leave. Some will remain, retaining the view that the manager mistreated a captain who deserved better.
Following conversations with the owners, Rohl spoke earlier this week about having total confidence that he will still be manager at the start of next season. However, that support from Andrew Cavenagh and the board is unlikely to be unconditional—or at least it should not be. Rohl's position is rapidly becoming untenable. If they lose at Falkirk this afternoon, fans may well chase him out the door. After a 1-1 draw at Falkirk earlier this season, Russell Martin required a police escort to leave the stadium and was sacked later that night.
Sources within Ibrox suggest the American owners will not pull the plug on Rohl just yet. However, between the on-pitch results and the mishandling of the Tavernier situation, he appears to be a busted flush. One of Rohl's main defences has been that Rangers were 13 points adrift when he arrived and he dragged them back into the title race. But that argument no longer holds water. They have capitulated since the split, his reputation has tanked, and they now trail Hearts by 11 points. Following a £12 million spend in January, this cannot be dressed up as anything other than failure. Heading into next season, Rohl's card is marked.
Tavernier has always divided opinion among the Rangers support. Yet, in the popularity stakes, he fares favourably against a failing manager. That is perhaps the most damning indictment of all against Rohl.
