30 Apr 2026 09:34:45
I’ve read a lot lately about DR bringing us back into contention. While it’s true we clawed back a 13-point deficit, we need to look at the context rather than leaning into a false narrative.
Early in the season, we had the wrong manager while Celtic and Hearts had the right ones. Then the script flipped: we got a new manager and a transfer window, while Celtic lost their momentum and struggled with their own managerial issues. We closed the gap quickly because they were dropping points while we were picking them up. Essentially, both teams suffered through periods of terrible form.
The "comeback" is effectively nullified by the fact that Celtic lost points for the same reasons we did. Once we took the lead, the recovery became irrelevant. it’s just as bad to lose a lead as it is good to catch one. Meanwhile, Hearts have stayed consistent throughout.
Rangers and Celtic have had remarkably similar seasons. Nothing that happened months ago matters now; there’s no use in handing out credit or blame for what is simply expected of both clubs. The real work begins now. Sunday is over, but the opportunity is still there. We have four games where the team must give everything to win. The question is: are they capable of it?
30 Apr 2026 10:06:33
I don't think they are capable, sadly, mate.
We throw away any chances we get, and that is in the 'easier' games.
My gut feeling is we need to just stop Celtic winning it and it would be a tiny bit of consolation.
30 Apr 2026 10:07:33
Won't come as a surprise that I disagree with your narrative. Our confidence was as low as I've seen when Dr took over; to get pretty much as instant lift was particularly impressive. He's also working with a group of misfits and loans, which I'm sure he wouldn't have signed.
Celtic were playing well when they had their own manager meltdown.
It was easy for Mon to get them back in shape, although still dropping the occasional points.
Dr is still stuck with a number of first team players who have shown year in and year out that they're mentally weak.
He fully deserves next season whereby he'll have the opportunity to shape the team the way he wants.
30 Apr 2026 10:10:18
Wouldn't say Hearts have been consistent as they would be further ahead, I'm not a great believer in Dr getting us back in it, as I think any change of manager away from Martin would get us more points.
I do believe he is learning, but has made mistakes which has cost us as well. A full pre season and a formation embedded in players, on top of more players, will be when he is judged.
30 Apr 2026 10:10:25
Rangers under Rohl, 60 points, Celtic 53 points, Hearts 51 points.
Rohl gets other couple of windows for me. He has only signed three players, one on loan, and the three players, only one was fit for Sunday.
30 Apr 2026 10:24:50
See a lot of talk on social media wanting him sacked, although I don't agree and think he deserves next season, but he has made some pretty bad mistakes and hopefully he learns fast from them. He really needs to get a good start next season, cause or he could be under pressure.
30 Apr 2026 12:10:14
I don't want him sacked, but he needs to get his finger out. Starting 11 baffling at times, and I honestly don't understand how anyone would think it would be ok to have 2 CM against Motherwell on Sunday there. He deserves a couple of windows, but he also needs to learn fast.
30 Apr 2026 12:31:01
What I would say regarding starting elevens and substitutions is that we probably need to factor in things we're not fully aware of behind the scenes.
With what EHL has said, everything that's come out about how decisions are influenced by performance data. It's clear the manager doesn't always have complete freedom. If the medical or sports science team flags a player as not fully fit, even if the player feels ready to go, that decision can be taken out of the manager's hands. Situations like that (for example with Mikey Moore) show there are limits to what a manager can actually do.
Because of that, some of the decisions around team selection or substitutions might make more sense when you consider those restrictions. There are clearly factors in the background we're not privy to.
That said, it doesn't fully explain poor intensity or lack of fight.
Looking at the money that's been spent, even if the net spend doesn't seem huge, it's still a significant investment overall. With that level of spending, we should be expecting more both in terms of performances and consistency, surely!
What's most frustrating is that we've shown we're capable of getting ourselves back into contention, only to see that drop off again. At times, it feels like the players aren't showing enough hunger, not fighting for every ball, not working hard enough defensively, and not being clinical enough going forward.
Effort and organisation have to be non-negotiable. That has to be the baseline, regardless of circumstances.
I'd say that falls on the manager and players combined.
30 Apr 2026 12:40:14
There is a massive difference, Tom, between repairing a midseason month of madness with a team that had previously been performing well, compared to a team who were a total disaster from the beginning.
And if Celtic were to end up winning, no one would say it was only because of Rangers' start, so credit given where it's due. Rohl had done an incredible job even if he's made some mistakes.
30 Apr 2026 12:51:53
Spot on, Kaiser.
Celtic had the foundations already in place.
Rangers were a scare under Martin, and Rohl turned that around.
Rangers also had a huge deficit to overhaul just to get back into contention.
And then match or better Hearts and Celtic's scores just to stay there.
The flip side is that plenty would be greeting their eyes out if Rohl never turned it around.
30 Apr 2026 13:19:16
I know data etc is obv a big part of the modern game, but what we're lacking is a bit of pride, heart, fight & killer instinct. We need some of that back. Barron is a good example, not quite your marquee signing, but will give you 100%.
Same with Cameron & Curtis, for me those 3 haven't been any worse than the so-called bigger players. I'd imagine Rohl will have an idea of what he wants/needs & I hope our summer business is done early so they can settle in quicker.
30 Apr 2026 13:42:53
I honestly can't believe anyone wants Rohl sacked. There is more to it than being able to select best 11 from who is available. Half the team can't last a full game.
Everyone had written off the season in October, saying it's time to rebuild for next season. Now we have failed if we don't win.
Of 'let's sack Rohl', where do we go from there, we are in this mess because we keep sacking managers. Some certainly deserved it, but for me sacking Clement and indeed Gio were mistakes.
We all shout about Gerrard should have been backed. He was backed, he wanted Morelos to stay, and the board could only afford either to sell him and invest the money or let him stay. History tells you their decision, with the result Gio was given nothing to spend the next season and ended up with a team full of crocks who got humiliated in the CL.
But yah let's just keep the rinse and repeat cycle going.
And again the gap we closed was on Hearts.
30 Apr 2026 14:24:07
I am with you on this, Gees. My opinion is that Clement would have won the league this year if he were not sacked.
Sacking managers annually has won us the square root of hee haw. I don't understand why any fan would even consider more of what we have had over the last few years.
The expression "doing the same thing and expecting a different result" always springs to mind when I see this type of discussion.
30 Apr 2026 15:20:20
Someone must be held accountable for the players not being able to do 90mins, and we can't keep blaming Russel Martin. He ain't been there in a long time.
30 Apr 2026 15:35:58
Rangers and Celtic both had horror periods under Martin and Nancy respectively. Despite this, we are still keeping up with Hearts who have had the same manager all season long. Hearts have benefited heavily from competing against two very poor Old Firm teams.
Normally one or both of the Old Firm teams will finish with over 90 points.
Beale finished a season with something like 92 points, but Ange had a standout season finishing with almost 100. We are nowhere near those points totals now. Yes the league is more competitive, but that is a result of standards dropping at the Old Firm teams IMO.
30 Apr 2026 17:53:51
Storm, Martin was a problem, however, Rohl has had since October to get people fit. I'm afraid I don't buy into it was a different type of preseason, and u can't fix an issue.
How we trained under Martin and Rohl looks no different.
I have spoken to a couple players, coaches south of the border and an ex England manager who all say it's an excuse for poor players.
30 Apr 2026 19:08:17
Tomthumb, unsure there is any other way to mount a comeback, mate, other than us picking up more points than the sides above us in the same period of time.
Forgive me if I'm wrong.