In the aftermath of the recent draw against Dundee United, Rangers head coach Danny Rohl emphasized the positives. His team displayed a higher goal threat and urgency, culminating in a crucial last-minute penalty equalizer. Yet, his expression hinted at a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the Rangers squad.
Rangers’ Struggles Under Rohl
Rohl is now acutely aware of the issues that led to the dismissal of his predecessor, Russell Martin. Martin’s tenure ended after 17 games, leaving Rangers trailing leaders Hearts by 11 points. This gap has since narrowed to nine points, largely due to Hearts stumbling in their recent performances.
At the same time, Celtic has regained a nine-point lead over Rangers, a position they held when Martin was let go. The situation is dire for Rohl, as he looks for solutions to lift the struggling Ibrox side.
Kilmarnock Await Rangers
Rangers will next face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, a team that has recently shown signs of improvement. Despite suffering six consecutive defeats earlier, Kilmarnock has now secured two draws. Their last victory against Rangers was in October 2024, where they won 1-0 at home.
- Rangers won the last three meetings against Kilmarnock with a combined score of 13-3.
- The last encounter resulted in a 3-1 victory for Rangers two months ago.
Key Performance Statistics
Although Rangers have the second-highest number of goal attempts per game in the Premiership (15.2), their conversion rate stands at a troubling 8.9%. They have netted just 19 goals from 213 attempts, which is a significant area for improvement.
In addition to addressing the offensive shortcomings, Rohl faces the challenge of bolstering a defense that has been vulnerable, primarily due to injuries affecting key players. Each match becomes increasingly crucial as he seeks to turn the team’s fortunes around.
