Rangers Prepare for Crucial Old Firm Derby Against Celtic
When Danny Rohl took charge of Rangers on October 20, there were no expectations of a title challenge from Govan. After a disappointing start to the season under Russell Martin, Rangers found themselves eight points behind Celtic and 13 points adrift of league leaders Hearts, having won only once in the Scottish Premiership.
Had anyone suggested that by the time of the second league Old Firm derby at New Year, Rangers could level with Celtic with a victory, they would have been met with disbelief, particularly from a disheartened Ibrox fanbase.
Yet, this is the scenario facing Rohl and his players as they prepare to visit Parkhead on Saturday; a win would see them join Celtic on 38 points.
Rohl has achieved an impressive record, winning eight of his 11 Premiership matches with only one loss—against Hearts—despite managing a squad that has faced significant criticism from fans and pundits.
In contrast, Celtic has struggled since Wilfried Nancy replaced Martin O'Neill, losing five of their last seven matches, including a recent defeat to Motherwell.
Sportsound pundit Steven Thompson remarked, "I don’t think many people would have seen it coming, but they’re right in the mix. They’ll go to Celtic Park and really take the game to Celtic. There’s a fragility to Celtic, and they’ll try to exploit that. If they win that game, it’s game on."
Celtic's recent performance has been lackluster, as they were outplayed by Motherwell while Rangers secured a solid victory against St Mirren, who had previously defeated Celtic in the League Cup final.
Rangers' Thelo Aasgaard scored before halftime, and Emmanuel Fernandez added a second in the second half. Although St Mirren fought back, they were left frustrated after Mikael Mandron's goal followed a missed penalty by Marcus Fraser.
Rohl expressed satisfaction with his team's performance but emphasized the importance of maintaining their form if they are to challenge for the title. "We have reduced the gap to three and six points [to Celtic and Hearts], but it’s nothing in football," he stated. "It’s about next, next, next. If we can continue this way, we will have a strong second half of the season. If we secure many wins, we will find ourselves in positions where we can compete for something."
As Rangers prepare for their trip across Glasgow to face Celtic, Rohl believes they are ready for the significant challenge ahead. "Our belief is there," he said. "We go with confidence. It’s a huge game, but we are prepared. It’s important we are strong. If we do this, we will have a fantastic game. It was a good finish to the year, and now we hope for a strong start to the new year."
Another highlight for Rangers was the performance of Youssef Chermiti. The striker, signed for £8 million from Everton over the summer, has struggled to justify his price tag with only two goals in his first 20 appearances. However, he played a crucial role in the match against St Mirren, creating three chances, including the assist for Fernandez’s goal.
Rohl praised Chermiti's contribution, stating, "I want to give Youssef great credit—a great performance. He provides exactly what we need. He is on the last line, can hold the ball, and link play effectively." Thompson echoed this sentiment, noting that Chermiti's performance could be a turning point for the striker, boosting his confidence and allowing him to showcase his true abilities moving forward.