Mikey Moore’s first Rangers goal at Dens Park may prove far more than just a personal milestone - it is the clearest sign yet of how Danny Rohl has begun to simplify, clarify but still energise and instil belief back into a Rangers side that was suffocating under complexity earlier this season.
When the 18-year-old Spurs loanee spoke after the match, his words said everything: “I’ve had a lot more freedom to move across the pitch.
“The manager has given me confidence and belief in myself.”
It is no coincidence that Moore’s resurgence has come after the removal of Russell Martin, whose tactical playbook was so rigid, pre-scripted and tempo-killing that players were visibly second-guessing every touch and every movement they made around the park – with Moore in particular stuck on the touchline rather than being handed the freedom to drive inside as we have seen in the past few weeks.
For months, Rangers were treated like chess pieces rather than footballers: patterns for patterns sake, passes made because the shape demanded it, not because the game called for it.
The result was a tediously slow build-up, predictable rotations and senior players hiding rather than expressing themselves with their own individual qualities.
Moore felt that pressure more than most. A young attacker thrives on instinct, rhythm and spontaneity, not being told to “occupy Zone 17 until Phase 3 triggers the rotation cue.”
Under Martin, he looked lost, safe, and isolated on the touchline but under Rohl, he looks alive, thriving and every bit the player touted as one of the world's best at his age by the English media.
Rohl’s football is not chaotic, and it’s not simplistic by any means, but it is clear and clarity breeds confidence.
The press is aggressive, purpose-driven, not performed like a rehearsed dance and most importantly, attackers appear to have been told they can take risks and express themselves.
That is why Moore is now affecting games centrally, combining, breaking lines and getting shooting chances instead of hugging chalk and recycling possession.
Rohl’s man-management has also been crucial. Moore himself admitted: “I don’t think I showed what I can do at the start.
“It was the toughest spell I’ve had mentally.” – This shows Derek Cornelius’ comments on Rohl changing the mentality at Ibrox is true of the whole squad, not just the Canadian defender.
Instead of dropping him, sidelining him or labelling him as “not ready,” Rohl empowered him, believed in him, and has allowed him to thrive.
And the reward? A confident, assertive young forward scoring and smiling in front of the away support instead of looking at the ground as groans ring in his ears.
Three league wins in a row, seven goals scored, two clean sheets away from home. The performances aren’t perfect yet and Rohl would be the first to say so but the trajectory is obvious: Rangers look like a team with purpose, intensity, movement and. Crucially joy.
Football doesn’t need to be over-engineered. It needs courage and clarity.
Danny Rohl has brought both and players like Mikey Moore are proof.