The narrative at Ibrox has shifted from “stabilization” to a full-blown title charge. As the Scottish Premiership enters its final act, former Rangers defender Gareth McAuley has weighed in on the remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl, suggesting that the German’s impact may already eclipse the early building blocks of the Steven Gerrard era.
When Danny Rohl arrived in Glasgow last October to replace Russell Martin, the task seemed insurmountable. Rangers sat sixth in the table, trailing leaders Hearts by a staggering 13 points. Today, with only five games remaining, that deficit has been slashed to a single point.
A Different Beast: Rohl vs. Gerrard
McAuley, who was part of the squad during Gerrard’s initial rebuild in 2018, notes a distinct difference in the mountain Rohl has had to climb. While Gerrard was tasked with stopping a dominant Celtic over a three-year period, Rohl has had to ignite a “fire-fight” mid-season.
”He’s done brilliantly because he’s stabilized everything,” McAuley told Record Sport. “People say it’s easy to chase, but they’ve had to come from a long way back. The belief they’ll have got from doing that could be really important now.”
McAuley highlights the tactical evolution under the German coach:
- Dynamic Transition: Moving away from the previous regime’s style toward more vertical runs and direct passing.
- Attacking Width: Utilizing wide players to stretch defenses and create high-volume scoring opportunities.
- Energy and Character: A “player-level” coaching style that has fostered immediate buy-in from the dressing room.
The Marbella Factor: Escaping the Ghosts of Tenerife
In a move mirroring Gerrard’s 2018 winter break in Tenerife, Rohl recently took his squad to Marbella for a mid-season training camp. For McAuley, the memory of Tenerife is bittersweet; upon their return in 2019, a loss to Kilmarnock derailed their title momentum.
However, McAuley believes Rohl’s timing is superior. By taking the break just before the “final cluster” of games, the squad has had a chance to refresh and gain clarity on tactical structures in the Spanish sun.
”When it’s sunny, players don’t mind being out on the training pitch for extra sessions,” McAuley noted, hoping the trip serves as a bond rather than a distraction ahead of Sunday’s clash with Motherwell.
The Pivotal Weekend
The race reaches a fever pitch this weekend with a set of fixtures that could flip the table:
- The Edinburgh Derby: Hearts face a hostile trip to Easter Road to take on Hibernian.
- The Ibrox Opportunity: Rangers host Motherwell with the chance to potentially leapfrog into first place.
If results go Rangers’ way, they could enter the final Old Firm derby as league leaders—a dynamic shift that would put the destination of the trophy firmly in their own hands. For Rohl, a maiden season title would not just be an “unbelievable achievement”—it would be a historic heist.
