Danny Röhl believes Rangers showed their first real signs of European competitiveness under his leadership, despite the frustration of a 1–1 draw with ten-man Braga at Ibrox.
The German coach cut a reflective figure after watching his team dominate large spells of the match before a defensive lapse cost them what should have been a vital win in the UEFA Europa League.
“It was the first time that I felt my team was competitive in Europe,” Röhl said, focusing on the positives in a performance that was, for an hour, Rangers most assured continental display in months.
After a sluggish opening ten minutes, Rangers seized control of the game, pressed Braga effectively, created multiple chances and deservedly took the lead through James Tavernier’s penalty.
However, the head coach was equally firm in stressing what went wrong.
Rangers final 30 minutes were passive, sloppy and riddled with poor decision-making - particularly after Braga went down to ten men.
Röhl did not excuse the drop-off.
“We have to win such a game and we have to close the gaps,” he admitted.
The lack of conviction late in matches has become a theme this season, and Röhl was clear that partial performances are not enough at European level.
“We have to play 90 minutes at our highest level,” he said.
“Sixty minutes is not enough, even if those 60 minutes were very good.”
The coach pointed to a combination of European inexperience, low confidence and hesitation as contributing factors to the late collapse - issues he believes can be addressed with time and training.
Still, with Rangers sitting on just one point from five matches, the margin for improvement is rapidly shrinking if not gone completely.
Supporters will find encouragement in Röhl’s belief that the first hour showed what this Rangers team can become: aggressive, structured, and capable of controlling games against strong European opposition.
But they will also share his concern that the team cannot yet sustain that level.
Röhl insisted the direction of travel is positive - but the gap between progress and results, at this level, remains painfully clear.
Until Rangers can deliver complete performances, European nights like this will continue to slip through their fingers.