Danny Rohl hailed Rangers 3-0 win over Dundee as a “statement” result, praising his side’s organisation, mentality and continued hunger after James Tavernier’s landmark goal set them on their way at Ibrox.
After a tight first half, Tavernier opened the scoring early in the second period with his 100th league goal for the club - converting from the penalty spot as he so often has over the past decade, before late strikes from Danilo and Djeidi Gassama sealed an eighth successive victory in all competitions.
“Yeah, I think at first a happy 3-0,” Rohl said.
“We knew before the game it’s would not be an easy one.
“Everyone expected to win us. Then you face your opponent, they had a small run. They’re good organised, you have to break them first down.
“I think first half we tried. In some moments we had too many players behind the ball instead of in the right areas. This was a topic in the half-time. Then you come fantastic out, make the goal.
“Then you have two good moments where you can score the 2-3-0. Then it’s the game. We had some transition moments where we were not clinical. We lost the ball, it was a little bit too open. But finally then the 3-0 is for me as well a statement.
“All in all, I’m happy when you look at how many chances they had - I think it shows us well how we are organised against the ball.
“For me it’s a big respect for my group. What they do at the moment is outstanding.”
Despite the margin of victory, Rohl again pointed to improvements needed in the final third.
“It’s about decision-making,” he said.
“We spoke a lot about this at the moment. The final pass, finish the action, come behind the ball. Or when we play forward, we have to push up from the last line as well.
“The distance wasn’t too big in some moments. This is why we allowed them the transition moments. This is what we have to improve. But it’s always good when you win games and you still have things to improve.”
At the other end, Rangers recorded another clean sheet, with the defensive unit earning particular praise.
“I think pressing and clean sheets is not just about the goalkeeper or the back four,” Rohl said.
“It’s a team performance and a result from the team, how we work against the ball.”
On his new signings, Tochi Chukwueni and Andreas Skov Olsen, both starting for the first time he added: “In general, when you bring new players in, they have to adapt. They have to find the rhythm. It’s normal.
“I am happy that they could be on the pitch.”
Rohl’s message to the squad remains uncompromising.
“If you come on, you have to deliver. You have to run for the team,” he said.
“You have to work at first for the team, not for your own. If you do this, then we always have a chance to win games.
“Eight wins, a lot of clean sheets. It’s for me a big statement as well.”
He also highlighted the mentality shift within the group.
“Still after 3-0, we think we want to do more and better. We are not lazy now,” he said.
“They are still hungry - We want to be the hunter. We want to hunt on the pitch with our pressing.”
On Tavernier’s milestone, Rohl said: “He’s a leader and it is a lot of goals for a defender. It’s nice to see.”
And on the title race: “It feels great. If we can continue this and we do our homework and we go again, then, yeah, it’s on.”
With Hearts and Celtic drawing 2-2 at Tynecastle - the Gers move above their Old Firm rivals into second, just four behind the table-topping Jambos.