Danny Röhl was candid in his assessment of Rangers’ narrow victory over David Gray's Hibernian. This was not a night for stylistic satisfaction or tactical perfection: it was about grit, endurance and getting the job done.
“At first I’m very happy for the result,” Röhl said post-match.
“For me an exceptional effort today from the group.
“We know it was not the nicest game in some parts.”
That opening sentiment set the tone for a manager who understands exactly where his side are in their development. Rangers were disjointed for spells, particularly in the first half when Hibs enjoyed their strongest period.
“I think also in the first half between minute ten to 25 we lose a little bit of control,” Röhl admitted.
Yet within that loss of control, Röhl identified a recurring pattern - whenever Rangers committed to playing forward, they carried threat.
He explained: “Always when we’re attacking forward, when we play forward, then you feel we can really hurt opponents.
“This is what we have to do more.”
The bigger picture, however, mattered more.
With injuries mounting, limited training time and a relentless schedule, Röhl framed the performance through the lens of physical and mental output.
“When I see how many players we have not available, less training sessions, a lot of games, and I see then that we’re running 95 minutes and put everything on - for me it was a fully deserved win,” he said.
That said, frustration lingered - particularly over Rangers inability to kill the game late on.
With spaces opening and multiple counter-attacking opportunities, the contest should have been put beyond doubt.
“The last 15 minutes, we had two, three, four opportunities to make it 2–0 or 3–0,” Röhl said.
“Then we lose a ball one minute before the end and then we have a corner against us.
“You never know.”
That sequence summed up Rangers game management issues.
The quality to create moments was there; the composure to finish the contest was not.
Röhl acknowledged it plainly: “This is what we have to improve.”
Defensively, though, Rangers delivered another strong domestic display.
Hibs were largely restricted to speculative efforts from range, with Jack Butland rarely tested inside his area.
“They had some shots around the box, but they were not really in our box,” Röhl noted.
“I think this is great.”
That clean sheet marked Rangers fifth in the league under Röhl - a stark contrast to their European struggles.
“I think this is the biggest difference between Europe and the league,” he said.
“In the league we have clean sheets and sometimes it’s enough to score one time.”
Röhl also touched on the atmosphere inside Ibrox, sensing a shift: “My feeling today was more positive.
“I felt the supporters had a little bit more patience today.”
That patience, he believes, is crucial to reducing pressure on a young and evolving side.
Ultimately, Röhl boiled the performance down to its core truth.
“It’s not about tiki-taka,” he said.
“It’s about effort. Effort. Effort.”