Rangers head to Easter Road tonight looking to build the first real momentum of the Danny Röhl era.
The weekend’s win at Ibrox against Kilmarnock brought something that has been missing for too long: belief. But belief only matters if it’s backed up, and Easter Road is not a place where anything comes easy.
Hibs under David Gray are aggressive, organised and play with tempo.
They haven’t lost at home in the league since November and they see this match as a platform to join Edinburgh rivals Hearts in the title race.
Gray has spoken all week about “taking the game to Rangers”. They want to force mistakes, keep their crowd on top of the visitors, and drag Rangers into a frantic contest.
This is exactly the type of game where Rangers need to show they’ve changed.
Röhl knows the challenge. He called the weekend victory a “small step”.
Tonight is the next step. If Rangers are serious about climbing the table, it’s one they can’t leave behind.
Intensity, Not Just Structure
The early signs of the new manager’s approach are clear. The football is faster. The press is more assertive. The players look sharper, hungrier, more willing to take responsibility.
Derek Cornelius spoke this week about a “mentality shift,” running for each other, duelling harder, playing with conviction.
That must travel with them onto the away pitch.
Röhl also hinted at tactical flexibility. Rangers could shift between a back four and a back three mid-match, depending on game flow.
That unpredictability is valuable, but only works if the fundamentals, aggression, compactness, and tactical clarity, are there from the first whistle.
Key Battles
The wide areas are huge. Hibs look to break quickly down the sides and hit early crosses into the box or for runs in behind.
Rangers need to control transitions, lose the ball cheaply here, and the game becomes chaotic.
Tempo in midfield matters just as much. If Rangers pass slow, Hibs will swarm.
If Rangers play forward early, they’ll find space between the lines.
Most importantly, the final third, Rangers need ruthlessness. It can’t be 70 minutes of pressure without reward before a frantic chase at the finish. Chances must be made and they must count.
What This Game Means
It’s not about statements. Not about league tables. Not about noise across the city.
It’s about two wins in a row. Something Rangers have yet to do this season.
Röhl said it simply: “Win, next win, next win.”
If Rangers leave Easter Road tonight with three points, belief becomes momentum and momentum is how seasons turn.