Second-Half Collapse Costs Rangers Against Hearts
Danny Rohl was left to reflect on a disappointing second-half performance as Rangers suffered a defeat at Hearts, further undermining their Scottish Premiership title aspirations.
Following back-to-back losses, Rangers now sit seven points behind the league leaders and four points adrift of second place. The title challenge that Rohl's team had fought hard to maintain has been significantly damaged in just two matches.
Just eight days after a 3-2 home defeat to Motherwell, which was decided by a last-minute goal, Rohl's squad traveled to Tynecastle aware that securing at least a draw was essential to keep their hopes alive.
At halftime, optimism remained as Dujon Sterling's deflected volley had put Rangers ahead, a lead that reflected their overall strong first-half display.
However, by full time, Hearts had scored twice without reply, and despite a late header from Thelo Aasgaard that struck the bar, Rangers never appeared capable of mounting a comeback.
This pattern highlights Rangers' recurring issue this season: the inability to maintain consistent performance levels throughout the full 90 minutes.
'Mentality Questions' Raised Over Rangers' Second-Half Declines
"We knew that they would come with power," Rohl told BBC Scotland after the match. "They played much, much more direct in behind. We had less pressure on the ball and then you have to defend in critical areas very often.
"We have to learn from this, we have a young, potential squad but this is a job in the next weeks and months to improve."
The youth and relative inexperience of Rangers' squad may partly explain their inconsistency.
In the Motherwell match, Rangers were outplayed in the first half and found themselves 2-0 down. They improved significantly in the second half, battling back to draw level before conceding a late winner. Earlier in the season, Rangers also conceded two first-half goals but recovered to win 6-3 at Falkirk.
They have also demonstrated resilience by coming back from two goals down to draw with Livingston and held a 2-0 lead against Celtic after a strong first half, only to settle for a 2-2 draw.
However, the matches against Celtic, Motherwell, and Hearts have particularly undone the progress made under Rohl this term. Additionally, a total of 12 league draws has hindered their title challenge.
Before the league split, Rangers had lost only twice in 33 games but have now suffered consecutive defeats at a critical stage of the season.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd offered his perspective on Sky Sports following the Tynecastle defeat.
"There will be mentality questions asked of Rangers," Boyd said.
"Hearts have been top for a number of months. You have to expect that you're going to suffer in the second half and that's mentality.
"You have to dig in and get a result, but they didn't. Rangers had to strike and once again they didn't - they have failed."
Ex-Celtic forward Chris Sutton echoed similar concerns.
"They have spent a fortune this season, so there will be questions asked. This isn't a one-off, Rangers choking."
Rohl, however, rejected the notion that mentality was the issue.
"This is not about mentality. Everyone who plays football knows what happens if the home team make the equaliser, then the crowd is there. The crowd in the first half was very quiet.
"It's not enough to play 45 minutes on a high level, you have to play 90 minutes on your highest level."
Potential Rebuild Looms for Rangers
The former Sheffield Wednesday manager acknowledges that he can only assume so much responsibility for Rangers' current campaign. When he took over in October, replacing Russell Martin, Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts and eight points behind Celtic following a significant summer squad overhaul.
Improved performances up to mid-April had brought Rangers within a point of Hearts and ahead of Celtic, but recent defeats have pushed them back to third place. Rohl's points-per-game average stands at 2.22, higher than Derek McInnes' 2.11 at Hearts but below Martin O'Neill's 2.5 with Celtic this season.
Rangers' only chance to keep title hopes alive in the final two fixtures depends on a win at Celtic Park on Sunday and Hearts dropping points at Motherwell the previous evening. A defeat on Sunday would confirm Rangers' first third-place finish since 2018.
When Rangers won 3-1 at Celtic Park in December, it was during Wilfried Nancy's brief tenure as Celtic manager. Rohl will need to secure a second victory at their rivals' home ground this season by outperforming O'Neill, who returned to Celtic in January.
Rohl's initial match in charge saw Rangers lose 3-1 after extra time to Celtic at Hampden, despite a strong effort with 10 men following a red card to Aasgaard. In the Scottish Cup quarter-final in March, Rangers pressed hard but were unable to score in 120 minutes, eventually losing on penalties.
Rohl remains determined.
"It's over when it's over and it means it's not over because we have still three games to go," he said.
"The last two games bring us in a really difficult situation. We worked so hard to come to this point and then you lose two times, so tight 2-1 and 3-2 and this is not good enough for the moment.
"What I demand from my group now is show personality and courage for the next three games and this is our job to do."
With captain James Tavernier having announced his departure this summer, six players nearing the end of loan spells, and key players like goalkeeper Jack Butland entering the final year of their contracts, Rangers face another significant squad overhaul.
Rohl, aged 37, outlined the club's approach moving forward.
"We will analyse the season - what was right, what was wrong, what we have to improve and then I'm totally convinced from the summer on, we go again," he explained.
"How we make decisions in moments, this is really a part that we really have to improve."
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