Rangers' manager Danny Rohl has ignited the Scottish Premiership title race conversation following his team's dominant 3-0 victory over Dundee. The win, coupled with Hearts' 2-2 draw against Celtic, has narrowed the gap between Rangers and the league leaders to four points.
Rohl expressed his satisfaction with the "statement" win, emphasizing the significance of securing an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions. James Tavernier's penalty opened the scoring in the second half, marking his 100th league goal for Rangers, while late goals from substitutes Danilo and Djeidi Gassama sealed the victory.
"Yeah, it feels great, but hopefully the feeling will be better and better during the second half of the season because there is still a long way to go. We know this," Rohl said. He acknowledged the high expectations at Rangers, stating, "I know at Rangers, the demand is high to get a lot of wins".
Rohl highlighted the challenges posed by Dundee, who he described as well-organized and on a good run of form. He noted that his team had to work hard to break them down. Rohl also pointed out areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining control after taking the lead. He wants the team to be more clinical in transition moments.
The victory against Dundee showcases Rangers' fighting spirit and determination to compete for the title. The team's ability to grind out wins, even in challenging matches, is a hallmark of a title-contending side.
The title race is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic. Analyst Alan Morrison notes that Celtic is on track for a historically low points total compared to their usual dominant seasons. While Rangers are performing slightly below their recent average, the margins are tight enough to make it a genuine three-way battle. Ally McCoist, a Rangers icon, has weighed in on the race, giving Hearts a slight edge but acknowledging the competitiveness of all three teams.
Rangers' next match is against Dundee FC in the Scottish Premiership. The team will also face FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League.
