Another Rangers Euro failure as Danny Rohl counts cost of poor decisions | OneFootball

Rangers were once again taken apart in Europe, as is the way these days, at the hands of a strong European team well organised and ready. The difference between Rangers now and Rangers even six months ago at this kind of level is utterly painful to witness. Danny Rohl in big matches hasn’t gone well.

Russell Martin and the European Drop Off

Russell Martin, shockingly, managed to get Rangers past two Champions League qualifying rounds. He beat two very solid teams in the process. He did, though, with a bit of luck. That luck ran out in Belgium. Then in the Europa League, his form and Rangers form at that level crashed entirely.

Danny Rohl and Big Match Failures

Now it is Danny Rohl’s turn to be equally as poor. We know the usual types. They will scream about the personnel. Then they say look what he has to work with. They repeat the same excuses as always.

But we could also witness what we saw with our own eyes. This was a badly organised team. It was badly set up. Selection was poor. The formation was diabolical. It did not fit against Hungarian giants.

Indeed, pre match, Ibrox Noise did not see a single comment endorsing that line up. That included the most pro-Rohl fans. It was another poor one. That has been a recurring theme of Danny Rohl in big matches.

Danny Rohl cannot handle the big matches at all. The only ‘big’ match he managed a good result in was against Hibs. They were third in the table. It was a good result, even if he did so by luck.

In Europe, and against Celtic in the Cup, he has been absolutely appalling. Danny Rohl cannot cope with that level.

Players, Excuses, and Context

Again, fans will comment about the players he is dealing with. But those same players got past two Champions League qualifying rounds. Please do not forget that part. They can actually win matches at this level.

Maybe not often. Maybe not consistently. But they can do it. They have no chance under this manager.

Russell Martin was no great shake. He got luck. But he got those wins. Rohl got luck against Hibs too.

Luck seems a major factor in a manager’s success these days. Rohl carries that in the league. It runs out entirely at a higher level. That level is Europe.

Organisation and Management Level

There are many facets to pick through here. The players are truly awful. But they are also not well organised. But then the manager comes from the English Championship.

How can we expect Danny Rohl to do better? He lost to Russell Martin in the Championship itself. Now he faces Hungarian champions Ferencváros. Did we actually expect him to win?

He has not won a single match at this level. He has lost every one. There was one bizarre draw against a very strong Braga.

Squad Quality and Responsibility

There is no question the Rangers squad is poor. Nobody would deny that. Kevin Thelwell has a lot to answer for. But the squad is still better than it gets credit for here.

You can take a sow’s ear and turn it into a silk purse. That happens if you are Walter Smith. It also happens if you organise players well.

Low level players can still do a job. Poor players can still do a job. They must know exactly what they are doing. They must be well drilled.

Rohl and Martin could not do that.

League Form Versus Reality

Many have pointed to improvement in the league. Yes, goals conceded improved. Matches won improved. Whether by luck or not, results improved. The metrics show improvement.

Danny Rohl has had an impact. But does that impact signify something major?

The reality is he has faced only two top six sides. He scraped a last minute draw against Dundee United. He was very fortunate to beat Hibs.

Results against bottom sides have not been convincing either. But most were wins.

Familiar Arguments and a Familiar Ending

We should not make this only about Danny Rohl. The players matter too. But his biggest backers will not change. They say give him a chance. Give him time. Look what he inherited. Judge him on his own players.

These are the usual lines. They appear with every manager. They appear after every match. The pattern never changes.

That is the real problem. The hiring process always chooses the wrong person. We lost out on Kevin Muscat. Do not forget that.

The Fall in Europe

At the end of the day, arguing changes nothing. Rangers lost in Europe again. The once-mighty Famous reached a Europa League final three years ago. Danny Rohl in big matches could be going better.

Now Rangers sit bottom of the Europa League. They are arguably the worst team in the competition. The mighty truly have fallen.