Danny Rohl, the manager of Rangers, has declared his squad possesses unwavering belief in their ability to reignite the Scottish Premiership title race following a crucial victory at Ibrox.
Ibrox Win Cuts Deficit to Six Points
Rangers secured a 2-1 win over St Mirren on home turf, a result that significantly tightens the standings. The three points mean the gap to league leaders Hearts is now just six points, a dramatic shift from the 12-point chasm that opened after a defeat at Tynecastle just over a week ago.
The team's resurgence comes at a pivotal moment, with the season's next fixture being the monumental Old Firm derby against Celtic at Parkhead. A victory for Rohl's men in that encounter would see them draw level on points with their arch-rivals from Glasgow's east end.
Rohl's Rallying Cry: Consistency and Belief
Addressing the media post-match, Rohl emphasised a long-term view while acknowledging the importance of the win. "We won. We are happy. We took the next small step on our long journey," he stated.
"It is not about two games, or three or four games. It is about being consistent over a longer run of games and, at the moment, we are doing that," Rohl added, underlining his philosophy. He acknowledged the reduced gap but stressed the need for continuous progress: "We have reduced the gap, but it’s nothing in football. It’s about next, next, next. If we can carry on this way, we will have a good second half of the season."
When asked directly about title aspirations, the German coach was clear: "For sure, we believe. It is a step forward for us. But it is important now to keep going like this."
Confidence for Parkhead and Praise for Chermiti
Looking ahead to the weekend's seismic clash with Celtic, Rohl insisted his team will travel with confidence. "Now we go with confidence into the weekend. It’s a huge game, but we are prepared for this," he said. He also made a pointed remark about the match officials, adding: "I think it’s important that refs are strong in this game, as well. If we do this, we will have a fantastic game."
Rohl reserved special praise for striker Youssef Chermiti, who delivered what was widely considered his best performance since joining the club. "Youssef had a good game. He got a lot of criticism previously. I know this, it’s not easy for him," Rohl said. "He gave us a lift. He was a link player... But it’s a first step, not more. If you continue like this, then we will also develop this player."
On potential January transfer window activity, the Rangers boss remained coy but indicated the club was proactive. "No, I think we know the window is not easy, but we are on front foot," he commented. "We know that in some positions, we have to wait for the right timing. At the moment, we are straight."
The stage is now set for a potentially season-defining Old Firm clash at Parkhead, with a resurgent Rangers looking to complete a remarkable turnaround in their pursuit of the Premiership crown.
