Ibrox View: Rohl has proven he can't fix Rangers' biggest issue, it's cost them the title

While three-quarters of Tynecastle exploded into a cacophony of noise, the away end greeted the final whistle with a stony silence and resignation.

For Rangers, it was game – and season – over. But for Hearts, their incredible dream remained on track, courtesy of a pulsating 2-1 victory against Danny Rohl‘s flaky visitors. As the hosts partied long into the night, the downbeat post-mortem began back at Ibrox.

The finger of blame will have swung in multiple directions – at Russell Martin, Patrick Stewart, Kevin Thelwell and, ultimately, Rohl. There are significant question marks over the head coach’s decision-making, and justifiable anger over the club’s lack of direction.

Ultimately, though, the Gers fell short on the basics once again. Despite their strong start, they were undone by the same fragile mentality that derailed their title charge before it had even begun under Martin. This time, there was no room for error. This was the fatal blow.

Rohl is under increased scrutiny after Rangers’ latest loss, and there remain major doubts over whether he should be given the chance to lead them into next season.

Rangers mentality haunts Danny Rohl again

The Light Blues’ Jekyll and Hyde tendencies certainly haven’t helped. Just three months ago, they had come from behind to beat Hearts 4-2 at home and move within a hair’s breadth of top spot. The deficit now stands at seven points after Monday’s bruising defeat in Edinburgh.

Rohl has been quick to praise his squad’s mentality this season, but even he cannot deny that it was sorely missing at Tynecastle. It is a big reason, if not the biggest, as to why they cannot perform for 90 minutes. They drift through matches and cannot deal with setbacks.

Supporters have every right to demand more, believing their players are lacking the necessary mental strength and resilience to compete for the biggest trophies. A side that only competes in spells will never be good enough to become serial winners.

The very history of Rangers is built around generations of all-conquering teams, making it all the more bewildering that this current crop is so quick to cower in the shadows. Many of them should not be given a chance to salvage their reputations next season.

Of course, mentality is not the only explanation behind their head loss at Hearts. Rohl might be a dead man walking already, and must shoulder responsibility for his failings. He has been guilty of making too many tactical blunders during important matches.

It remains to be seen whether Rohl can lead Rangers to the next level, or even whether he will be extended the opportunity to do so. But it is glaringly obvious that the club, from top to bottom, cannot handle the pressure and expectation attached to a title challenge.

When the going gets tough, they crumble. That much was proven by the fact that their two defeats in their first 33 league matches were followed by two in the space of a week. The squad is doubtlessly good enough to push both Hearts and Celtic, if not usurp them.

Their failure on that front will once again raise uncomfortable discussions in the boardroom, and Rohl will be feeling very uncomfortable indeed at the end of the campaign.

In his defence, he did try to prevent this collapse, having deployed several speakers to stress to his players the importance of Rangers’ glittering history. But they are cowering mice, not fit enough or ready to follow in their footsteps. Therefore, sweeping changes are required.

“It’s not enough when you play just one half at your best level,” Rohl said after Monday’s loss. “I see a lot of improvements, but it is finally maybe not good enough to win the title this year.

“Half-time was clear from my side. I said, ‘Guys, we start again at 0–0. We have to win the second half.’ Then you come out, we are not convinced enough to press, we dropped.”

This downbeat assessment spoke volumes about a dressing room packed to the rafters with big names not capable of performing when in the unrelenting glare of the spotlight. Rohl may well end up paying the price first, but the expectant Ibrox crowd won’t let that slide.

How can Rangers fix this?

It is just unfortunate that there are no easy solutions. Rangers will likely dip into the transfer market to recruit more experience, but at the top of their list of priorities should be those equipped with the right mentality. They need leaders not scared of responsibility.

Should he remain in charge, Rohl will be crying out for accountability next season. Players cannot be allowed to drift through 45-minute spells any longer.

He remains tied to a grim game of whack-a-mole. Every time he addresses one issue, another one crops up that threatens to destabilise any progress made. They have either been composed in possession or commanding in duels, but never both at the same time.

Simply, it is an identity crisis, and Rohl does not seem to have the answers. As a result, the final three matches could be decisive in determining whether he is allowed to carry on.

However, no matter what lies ahead for him, his players no longer have anywhere to hide.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.