Can Rangers claw their way back into the Scottish Premiership title race? It's a monumental challenge, but their head coach Danny Rohl insists it's not entirely out of reach.
Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock v Rangers
Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Date: Saturday, 6 December
Time: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Tune in via BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds for live audio, follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app, or catch the highlights later on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer starting at 22:20.
Rangers' path to clinching the Scottish Premiership crown is undoubtedly a steep uphill battle, but head coach Danny Rohl emphasizes that it's far from unattainable. After consecutive stalemates against Falkirk and Dundee United, Rohl remains without a defeat in the league this season. Yet, the reigning leaders, Hearts and Celtic, sit nine points ahead, although Rangers do hold one match in reserve over the Edinburgh side.
And this is the part most people miss—Rangers could potentially narrow that deficit if they capitalize on the schedule. Celtic's upcoming home fixture against top-of-the-table Hearts on Sunday presents a golden opportunity for the Ibrox club to make up ground, provided they secure three points in their away trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday.
"The squads above us are set to clash against one another, and it's impossible for both to emerge victorious," explained the German tactician. "We've got several encounters still to play, so while the journey is lengthy, it's certainly not beyond us."
Rohl also showered praise on Nedim Bajrami for his pivotal role in Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Tannadice against Dundee United. The Albanian international stepped up to convert a late penalty, marking his comeback to the starting eleven.
"He absolutely earned that moment," Rohl commented. "It sent a powerful signal to the squad—that hard work pays off. Here's a player who put in the effort quietly, bided his time, and seized the chance when it came. He often drifted to the right flank in less threatening zones before, but in this match, he positioned himself centrally much more effectively. It demonstrated his attentiveness to my guidance, and it made a world of difference."
Bajrami's contributions bring a sense of composure to Rangers' attacking play, coupled with smart choices that quicken their tempo and generate additional scoring opportunities.
On the injury front, midfielder Mikey Moore is poised to potentially rejoin the squad for Saturday's clash, whereas defender Dujon Sterling—recovering from an Achilles issue and recently included in teams—won't be fielded due to the risks posed by Rugby Park's artificial turf.
The former Sheffield Wednesday manager and ex-Germany assistant was quizzed about his last experience directing a side on a synthetic surface. "Back in the academy days," he chuckled.
He elaborated that he'll lean on his squad members who are familiar with the pitch, urging an optimistic approach. "Plenty of other teams have triumphed here before," he noted. "It's all about adopting the right attitude—no excuses, just grab the points and head back."
In other squad news, Scotland international John Souttar, sidelined with a muscle strain, is expected to make his return "around the time of the Celtic match" on 3 January, according to Rohl.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Rohl's optimism misguided, or is it the motivational spark Rangers need to turn things around? Some fans might argue that focusing on positives could mask deeper issues, like inconsistent form. What do you think—can Rangers realistically challenge the top two, or is this just wishful thinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree or disagree!**
