If there was ever a clearer sign of how far Rangers have fallen, Thursday night in Bergen was it. Danny Röhl’s first match as Rangers head coach could hardly have gone worse, as the team collapsed to a 3–0 defeat against SK Brann that was every bit as painful as the scoreline suggests.
The German arrived in Glasgow with optimism and high standards, but what he witnessed in Norway was a wake-up call to the scale of the job he’s inherited. Röhl cut an emotional figure at full-time, climbing the barriers to apologise to the travelling support — and he deserves immense credit for that. In a few short days, he’s shown more understanding of Rangers’ identity and respect for the fans than his predecessor ever did.
But that’s where the positives end. The performance was disgraceful, as captain James Tavernier admitted afterwards. The attitude, the effort, and the basic application were nowhere near what this club demands. There was no pressing, no intensity, no leadership. Simple passes went astray, tackles were half-hearted, and when Brann delivered balls into the box, Rangers defenders were statues.
Once again, only Jack Butland emerged with any credit. The goalkeeper must be wondering what more he can do behind a defence that looks fragile and disorganised every time the opposition cross halfway.
A Squad Without Spine or Strategy
The problems at Ibrox run far deeper than one bad night. Fan frustration is now firmly aimed at Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart, whose recruitment and decision-making have left the club in its weakest position in years. Both men were confronted by supporters at Bergen Airport after the match — an unfortunate but telling reflection of the anger in the fanbase.
The squad Thelwell has assembled simply isn’t Rangers standard. There is no balance, no cohesion, and no clear plan. We sold three left-backs in the summer and brought in only one, the 19-year-old Jayden Meghoma on loan from Brentford. The lad is doing his best, but he’s been thrown into an impossible situation — asked to defend against seasoned European players when he’s barely begun his senior career.
Elsewhere, the entire back line is made up of loanees or players whose contracts expire at the end of the season. How can any manager build consistency or identity with that?
And then there’s the £8 million question — literally. Youssef Chermiti, signed for a staggering fee despite no proven record of scoring, looks completely out of his depth. Fans are baffled by that signing, and rightly so.
Röhl’s Task: Organisation Before Revolution
The hard truth is Röhl can’t change personnel until January, and even then, few trust Thelwell to make the right calls. So for now, the German must work with what he has — and that means going back to basics, drilling discipline, structure, and unity into a group that looks like strangers on the pitch.
Rangers are leaking goals and barely scoring any, and the underlying issue is the lack of balance throughout the side. At the most fundamental level, that’s why they’re in this mess. The midfield doesn’t shield the back line, the forwards don’t press with conviction, and the defensive shape collapses under the slightest pressure. Röhl must reintroduce intensity in training, demanding more running, communication, and accountability from every player.
The solution must start with defensive solidity, and that means organisation and focus before flair. Each player has to know their job and execute it, regardless of reputation or ego. A change of shape could help, perhaps shifting to a back five to offer more cover and protect Meghoma on the left, while allowing Tavernier more licence to push forward and support attacks without leaving gaps behind. Röhl could also demand a more compact press, ensuring Rangers defend as a unit instead of individuals reacting too late.
A potential lineup might look like this:
GK: Jack Butland
RB: James Tavernier
CB: John Souttar
CB: Nasser Djiga
CB: Derek Cornelius
LB: Jayden Meghoma
CM: Nicolas Raskin
CM: Connor Barron
CM: Lyall Cameron
FW: Djeidi Gassama
FW: Bojan Miovski
It’s not perfect, but it could tighten things up and give the side a clearer structure. Meghoma would have more protection, while Gassama and Miovski could form a direct, hard-working front two — something to build around.
Time to Show Some Fight
This isn’t just about tactics or systems, though. It’s about attitude. Too many players are hiding, too many are coasting. Wearing the Rangers shirt is a privilege, not a burden, and right now that message isn’t getting through.
Röhl has spoken about standards, unity, and hard work. The fans will give him time if they see effort and honesty on the pitch. But that patience won’t extend to the hierarchy. Supporters have seen enough mismanagement from the boardroom to last a lifetime.
For now, the message is simple: no more excuses, no more passengers. Rangers need leaders, fighters, and a sense of pride restored to that badge.
The journey back starts on Sunday — and it must start with a performance that shows this team still has some heart.
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