Rangers make Hearts and Celtic title race prediction as Ibrox chances left in ruin after Tynecastle defeat
Rangers lost a key match in their race for the Premiership title at Hearts.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has predicted that his side’s title chances are now in the improbable category after defeat versus Hearts.
The Ibrox side lost 2-1 at Tynecastle on Monday to stand seven points off Derek McInnes’ league leaders with nine left to play for. Dujon Sterling put them ahead in a commanding first half, but Rangers faltered after the interval, punished for not taking more opening 45 minute chances in Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland efforts.
Celtic come next at Parkhead and while not mathematically done, Rohl admits Rangers hopes are highly unlikely, possibly being finished for good before they kick-off against Celtic. That will happen if Hearts defeat Motherwell on Saturday, as the Hoops in second place remain three points off the Gorgie outfit, albeit with an inferior goal difference.
What have Rangers said about title race with Hearts and Celtic?
Speaking to Sky, Rohl said: “It’s what we have to improve in the new season. We played 45 minutes of really good football in both directions. Aggressive with the ball, found good solutions. We know in the second half they would come with more direction.
“We have to defend better as a group. We are not in the right positions and it is then difficult. We can't just play 45 minutes at this highest level, we have shown our potential, but football is about 90 minutes. You need to do a lot of things right to take something here.
“Our opponent was ruthless. There is no space for mistakes and at this time of the year you need to be on point. We will go for nine points and we will see. It’s our job to win the next three games. I would say it’s extremely difficult, we know the table. We worked hard to come to such a point and we lost two games, tight games, and for me unnecessary. You have to take the points in this race and we have to learn very quick.”
What did Danny Rohl say about Hearts 2-1 Rangers?
He added via Sportsound: “First, we played a strong first half and deserved to lead. I think we could've created more chances. Second half, this is football. We knew they would come with power, and they did, they played much, much more directly in behind, and we had less pressure on the ball.
“Our positioning and how we want to defend in these two situations, especially the second goal, you should never concede such a goal in this area. That’s what we have to improve in this area. This is not about mentality, I think everyone who plays football knows what happens if the home team get an equaliser, the crowd is there.
“This is what we missed today, to win such a game it is not enough to play for 45 minutes on a high level, you have to play 90 minutes on your highest level. And I think if we’re honest with each other in the last three games, we have not always had enough to take three wins. We go away now, and then we have two more games to go, and I want to see a group who play for every point and plays good football over 90 minutes."