The boss was spotted celebrating on the touchline after subjecting Hearts to a 4-2 defeat on home turfDanny Rohl delighted with his players mentality following 4-2 win over Hearts
Danny Rohl was off running and roaring as he watched Rangers hush Hearts.
And he believes Gers can go the distance now that Ibrox has finally found its voice. The Ibrox gaffer set off on a mad dance down the touchline as Youssef Chermiti slammed home the fourth goal on day of drama in Govan.
And there was another jig of delight for the German boss at full-time as the Light Blues grabbed a win that slashes the Jambos’ lead at the Premiership peak back to just two points. It was the Ibrox occasion Rohl has been waiting for since he arrived in October, one when the old place turned the noise levels up to 11.
The atmosphere helped heap the pressure on Derek McInnes’ team and they wilted despite twice being ahead. There were moments of anger and anxiety, especially when Manny Fernandez’s blunder gave Marc Leonard the lead.
But in the end, it was the hosts who were greeted with an explosion of joy thanks to Chermiti’s sensational hat-trick. Now Rohl has called on the punters to keep the volume levels at their max and help them have something to really shout about come the end of the season.
He said: “I think it was the first time since I’ve been here that Ibrox was like Ibrox. I felt what it means. I’m very positive.
“I think we want to have this atmosphere in the stadium. The only thing is, and I can understand this sometimes, but sometimes it’s difficult when you have to prepare the next action and you need the extra pass to prepare something.
“Then it’s sometimes difficult for my players, I would say, because we have to make decisions, especially when you play against a deep block and they wait for transition moments.
Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti (L) celebrates scoring to make it 3-2 with Emmanuel Fernandez (Image: SNS Group)
“Sometimes you need the extra pass. But let’s speak not about this. Let’s speak about how the atmosphere was after the game. Outstanding.
“I think they pushed us today in every situation they deserved these three points. It was great, really great.
“I enjoyed this, my players could enjoy this after the game. Maybe we can have more such afternoons together. I spoke about we, and it means we can do this again.”
Chermiti grabbed the headlines with his treble. But Rohl preferred to hail the collective effort that has seen his team claw themselves back from being 13 points down on the Jambos to now sit within striking distance.
That spirit was very much evident again as Rangers found themselves behind to McInnes’ men on a couple of occasions in the first half.
It was the kind of situation from which this outfit would have collapsed earlier this season under previous management.
But the side Rohl is building is made of sterner stuff than the flimsy line-up Russell Martin presided over.
They were questioned in midweek after being held by Motherwell, but this was the perfect response.
He said: “Let’s not speak just about Youssef, speak also about the group.
“I think when you concede an early goal, it comes a little bit from nothing. We invite them, we make a mistake, and then the reaction was straight, OK, we want to come back, we stick to what we want to do.
“Then again, the second conceded goal was a typical Hearts goal, long ball, second ball, in behind, cross ball. At this moment we didn’t defend well, but again the reaction was great.
“Then the second half, I think we did a fantastic goal, also different goals. We showed a good character, and I like to see this, and I saw also not just character, also on the tactical side, on the football side, it was one of the best games in here.
“I think what’s more important is what we do as a group.
“I think we developed a lot of resilience since I’be been here. We go again and again, even after small setbacks.
“I try to be the leader of this group, leading by example. I give them a clear picture.
“I know at the end we are still in the second position in the league but since we are here, we are top of the league. We took a lot of points again and again and it comes from a lot of effort, improvements, development. We stick together. Not more, not less, but we go again.
“In general, since I’m here, it was about winning games again and again and again.
“Yeah, of course, the first couple of weeks was about improving the mindset that we can win games in a row.
“Today, we showed a good reaction after Wednesday, and we showed during the 90 minutes a good reaction after conceding goals.
“Of course, this is also a big part, and it’s important.
“We spoke before the game with my group, with my players, about it’s a big game.
“Big games are for big players, and big games are also for big teams. We delivered today, but we also have to deliver next week, and this is crucial, it’s very crucial.”
Rohl also had praise for substitute Djeidi Gassama, whose daring stoppage-time run opened up Hearts – and sent the gaffer haring down the touchline as Chermiti wrapped up his treble.
He said: “I spoke with Gas, it doesn’t matter when you come on, but please deliver. Yeah, it is what it is. I think we need everyone in this group, and it was great.”