Danny Rohl is skating on thin ice with Rangers fans after overseeing another predictable title collapse. Gers looked firmly in contention for the league crown before back-to-back defeats to Motherwell and Hearts left them staring at a 12th trophyless season in 15 years. Much of the goodwill Rohl built up after replacing flop boss Russell Martin appears to have evaporated fast.
One glance at social media shows the names of Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat once again being thrown around by success-starved supporters. But while a 56th title may now be out of sight for Rangers, Rohl still has the chance to derail Celtic’s five-in-a-row bid and effectively crown Hearts champions.
The German has faced criticism for failing to get the better of veteran rival Martin O’Neill in three previous meetings - crashing out of both cups and surrendering a two-goal Premiership lead at Ibrox. His wider record against top-six opposition also makes grim reading, with just six wins from 15 matches. It’s a damning statistic that has led many fed-up punters to question whether he is the right man to lead the club forward.
Yet victory at Celtic Park on Sunday would see Rohl achieve something only one Rangers manager has managed before. Rohl masterminded a stunning 3-1 comeback win at Parkhead in January - a result that proved the final nail in the coffin for opposite number Wilfried Nancy. If Rangers can repeat the feat this weekend, under-fire Rohl will become just the second manager in the club's history to win his first two away Old Firm league matches after the iconic Walter Smith, who won three between 1991 and 1992.
It would also ease mounting pressure on the ex-Sheffield Wednesday head coach and prevent Rangers suffering three successive league defeats for the first time since Dick Advocaat in October 2000. Much-maligned Youssef Chermiti was the hero of that January triumph after firing home a deadly double at Parkhead. The £8million striker followed it up with another brace in March’s four-goal thriller at Ibrox to take his derby tally to four for the season.
No Rangers player has scored more Old Firm league goals in a single campaign since Mark Walters in 1988-89. And no player in the fixture’s history has ever netted five league goals against their rivals in one season - meaning Chermiti could make history if he scores again on Sunday.
