When Danny Röhl arrived at Ibrox in October 2025, the Premiership title wasn’t just out of reach—it was a hallucination. Rangers languished in sixth place, trailing leaders Hearts by a staggering 13 points. Fast forward to the final stretch of the 2025/26 campaign, and the German tactician has not only closed the gap but has the Gers believing in a triumph that would eclipse even the historic “55.”
Speaking ahead of a pivotal clash with Motherwell at Ibrox, Röhl reflected on the emotional gravity of the current three-way title fight involving Hearts and Celtic. While Steven Gerrard’s 2021 title win ended a decade of hurt, Röhl admits that doing it in front of a packed Ibrox would provide a level of catharsis that a “Covid title” simply couldn’t match.
A Walk in the Park: The Fan’s Reminder
For Röhl, the magnitude of the task was highlighted during a simple walk in Glasgow this week. A season ticket holder of 40 years approached the manager to emphasize that this title would be “amazing” specifically because the fanbase had collectively thrown in the towel during the disastrous tenure of Russell Martin.
“The last title was in Covid. It was special, I know this from being in Bayern Munich, but it wasn’t the same,” Röhl admitted. “If we can win this title, it would be amazing. I’m looking forward to playing in front of our 51,000 supporters on Sunday. They have to make noise and let the opponent know what it means to play at Ibrox at this moment.”
The “Nine Finals” Mentality
Rangers enter the post-split fixtures as the form team in Scotland, having successfully navigated the first four of what Röhl calls “nine finals.” The stats behind the resurgence are staggering. Rangers have netted 15 goals in their last five games, including a chaotic 6-3 thriller against Falkirk. Despite the high-scoring nature of recent games, the partnership of Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez has allowed Röhl to implement a high-line press that few Scottish sides can live with.
The narrative of this race is unlike any in recent memory. While Hearts hold their fate in their own hands at the top, and Celtic captain Callum McGregor insists their “experience” will provide an edge, Rangers are the side riding a wave of recovered points and newfound identity.
Marbella Bonding and Tactical Bravery
The recent warm-weather training camp in Marbella wasn’t just about fitness; it was about connection. In a move that endeared him further to the traveling support, Röhl invited fans at the camp to join the squad for dinner—a gesture intended to unify the club ahead of the “uncharted territory” of a three-way sprint.
Röhl remains unfazed by claims that his rivals have the psychological upper hand. “I’m not interested in looking left or right,” Röhl insisted. “We’ll focus on our way. We’ve shown character to come back even when we were down.”
The Verdict
On Sunday, the wait ends. With five games left and the momentum of a 13-point recovery at their backs, Röhl’s Rangers aren’t just playing for a trophy—they’re playing for a moment of shared history that has been five years in the making. If they can secure a win against Motherwell, the “Belief” slogan that has defined Röhl’s era might just become a reality.
