Walter Smith was absolutely correct, and Rangers fans need to remember his words

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Ibrox Noise

·14 January 2026

Walter Smith was absolutely correct, and Rangers fans need to remember his words

We have reflected on Danny Rohl a little lately at Ibrox Noise. The German manager, still only 36, is doing a pretty stellar job domestically, even if many Rangers fans are still cautious.

But there’s something many supporters praising the ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager may have forgotten.

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For all the plaudits Danny Rohl is getting from so many Ibrox quarters as a saviour, there’s a catch:

The predecessors

He is doing absolutely no better than Michael Beale, Philippe Clement or indeed Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

That is to say, Rohl’s performance is the same as the above three, and yet fans are going crazy for him.

Why?

Because things were so unprecedently horrific under that charlatan Russell Martin that not being 11th in the table is gaining praise.

Walter

To quote Walter Smith:

“The first time you walk through the doors at Ibrox you put the club first and yourself second. And that is the one and only time being second is good enough for Rangers.”

In short, second in the league at Rangers is nothing to praise. This is not good enough. It will never ever be good enough for Rangers and we cannot lose sight of that.

It is only because Russell Martin gaslit our club and fans so badly that not being last is now getting the confetti out.

Danny Rohl is ONLY doing a grand Rangers job when he is top of the league, when Rangers are top of the league.

We have been second or worse for so long that being top has almost been forgotten.

Hearts

And that’s a big step for Rohl to take.

To surpass Hearts in the table and put our club on the summit, where it belongs.

Walter was right, and to praise a manager or Rangers for being second is the most un-Rangersy thing we’ve ever seen.

Yes, some fans will demand context of ‘look where we’ve been’.

The same fans used to rant ‘from where we’ve come from’ to justify being second and third in the league seasons after promotion. Thankfully that patter has long gone.

Rangers are number one in this country, always were, always will be.

The fact we’ve been a fallen giant so long has made fans want to praise all signs of progress.

But let’s never lose sight that second ain’t good enough.