Rangers manager Danny Rohl has admitted his side are simply not good enough to win the league title this season after a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle against Hearts. The Gers led 1-0 at half-time through Dujon Sterling's goal, but a second-half collapse saw Hearts roar back with strikes from Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland to take all three points.
Title hopes in tatters
The defeat leaves Rangers seven points adrift of league leaders Hearts with only three matches remaining. Should Hearts win at Motherwell on Saturday, Rangers would be mathematically eliminated from the title race before they even face Celtic at Parkhead the following day.
Rohl, who had stressed the importance of winning this fixture, did not mince his words when asked about the impact on their title aspirations. "Yeah, it's a big one. I think there's no question," he said. "We're in a really difficult situation now. I think we worked so hard to come so close in the last two games. It's not enough when you play just one half at your best level."
Demanding improvement
The Rangers boss acknowledged that his team have fallen short in the crucial moments. "I think there's no question, we have to show courage, and this is what I expect and demand of my players in the next three games, to take three fantastic results," Rohl stated. "This is more for me what I take from this season, and to know exactly what we have to do better in the next season. I see a lot of improvements, but it is finally maybe not good enough to win the title this year."
Rangers have now suffered back-to-back defeats against Motherwell and Hearts, a run that has effectively ended their challenge for the championship. Rohl rejected suggestions that his players lack mental strength, instead pointing to tactical issues in the second half.
"First, we played a strong first half and deserved to lead. I think we could've created more chances. Second half, this is football. We knew they would come with power, and they did. They played much, much more directly in behind, and we had less pressure on the ball. Hearts did Hearts things," he explained.
The German coach was particularly frustrated with the goals conceded. "Our positioning and how we want to defend in these two situations, especially the second goal, you should never concede such a goal in this area. That's what we have to improve. This is not about mentality. I think everyone who plays football knows what happens if the home team get an equaliser, the crowd is there."
With nine points still to play for, Rohl insists his side must finish the season strongly to build momentum for the next campaign. "We have still nine points to play for, this is what we have to do, and from this moment I push them again in the right direction."
