Rangers are now having to protect Danny Rohl amid ‘sad situation’
Rangers are now having to protect manager Danny Rohl and they have just done something to deflect the attention away from him.
Rohl took over at Ibrox following the dismissal of Russell Martin last month and has had a mixed start to life in charge.
The German has boosted the Gers up to fourth in the Scottish Premiership, winning both his league games while at the helm.
However, Rangers were beaten 3-1 by rivals Celtic in the League Cup semi-final on Sunday (2 November), despite taking the Hoops to extra time with just ten men.
Rangers trying to distract attention away from Danny Rohl
Thelo Aasgaard was sent off for Rangers during their defeat to Celtic, but there was controversy around Nick Walsh’s decision not to dismiss Auston Trusty for a challenge on Jack Butland.
Club representatives then met with the Scottish FA to seek answers around the decision, but the Gers later released a statement saying they still have “concerns about the consistency of refereeing in Scottish football”.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Rangers are simply trying to distract attention away from Rohl.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the Ibrox outfit are trying to protect their new manager, in order to give him more leeway with the fanbase.
Wyness added that he does have some sympathy with Rangers, as Scottish referees are often not the best.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Scottish referees often are not the best. So there is some sympathy there, but I don’t think it was the right way to have handled it.
“I think it’s more about protecting Danny Rohl. It’s more about saying, it wasn’t the manager, we were robbed. I think that’s what they’re trying to do, create a narrative around it rather than having anything reflect on him.
“When you lose an Old Firm game, it’s painful for Rangers. So to me, it’s a deflection tactic. I’ve seen it many times before in the past when they have tried to do that. I could almost have predicted it; whoever had lost would’ve complained about the referee.
“It’s all about giving Danny Rohl time and trying to give the fan base an excuse to say, we were robbed. It wasn’t to do with the team or the squad or the manager.
“So to me, it was a deflection tactic. I’m afraid that’s the sad situation they’re in right now. I think the language is all about, as I say, look over there and don’t look at the manager right now.”
Rangers complete transfer U-turn
Meanwhile, Rangers are set to complete a U-turn regarding the future of striker Danilo after recent performances.
The 26-year-old has scored two goals in his last four games, since Rohl took over at Ibrox.
As a result of Danilo‘s lack of first-team action earlier this season, he had considered leaving Rangers, with Martin likely planning to sanction his departure.
However, Rohl has no plans to let the striker leave in January and instead sees him as a valuable member of the squad thanks to his recent contributions on the pitch.
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