Rangers

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Rangers were last to play at the weekend and it felt like the one many observers expected us to slip up on.

To be fair, so did I at 2-0 down after 26 minutes against Falkirk.

But you have to credit the manager. He made the big decisions at half-time and Rangers showed great mentality and ability to hit six goals away from home.

I honestly had the thought of writing 'that's why we are not really in a title race' at half-time on Sunday for this article.

But I have to admit now, going into the split, we are very much in it and have a right good chance.

Apart from the comeback, the 4-2-2-2 making an appearance in the second half helped the team a lot.

Bojan Miovski channelling his inner Andrius Velicka was a massive help along with Youssef Chermiti turning up in the big games again.

In the second half Nico Raskin was outstanding, and not just for his strike and assist. His energy along with Tochi Chukwuani in the middle of the park, nicking it and then springing transition moments, led to goals.

It felt like a statement win all things considered. However, I won't be getting carried away. With the team away in Spain for the week, I hope Tuur Rommens can get fit and Mikey Moore can rest his knock.

We aren't back in action until 26 April when we host Motherwell - and just like at Falkirk, we have to find a way to win.

Let's hope we see the two-striker system from the off as another opening 26 minutes like we saw at the Falkirk Stadium could prove fatal.

Rangers will host a meeting of Scottish Premiership clubs this month to discuss concerns over the standard of refereeing. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Former Rangers head coach Russell Martin is on a shortlist of candidates Bristol City will consider for next season. (Football League World), external

Read more: Tuesday's Scottish football gossip

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Bojan Miovski says he is ready to play whatever part is needed to take Rangers to the title after helping his side to a huge win over Falkirk on Sunday.

The title hopefuls were trailing 2-1 at the break at the Falkirk Stadium when Miovski came on as a substitute and the striker bagged a double as Rangers produced a remarkable comeback to win 6-3.

His performance alongside Youssef Chermiti on Sunday prompted some pundits to suggest he should be starting matches in the league run-in, but Miovski says his focus is on being prepared to play and score whenever needed.

"Every player needs to be ready," he said. "I came on in the second half and helped the team.

"I'm always ready. If I start or come on in the second half or come on for five minutes, I'm always ready to give my all. It doesn't matter how many minutes I play.

"I work hard and wait for my chance. So when my chance comes, I'm ready to take it. Every striker wants to score goals and win titles. So, of course I would like to help the team to win the title."

The North Macedonia international says it is up to head coach Danny Rohl to decide if he plays as a lone striker or in a partnership, but he feels he has the ability to do either job for the team.

"In the previous clubs, I played with two strikers, I played alone," he said. "So, for me, it doesn't matter, just to play.

"Of course, it's helpful when you play with two strikers. It's like you have someone close to you who can help you.

"When you play alone, you are more waiting in the box and waiting for the wingers. But it's up to the coach to choose who he wants to start."

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The Scottish Premiership's title contenders all won on the same weekend for just the second time this season, each finding a way to a vital three points to stay in the fight for the trophy.

Celtic got past St Mirren with a solitary goal at Parkhead, while Hearts came from behind to defeat Motherwell 3-1 in a cracker at Tynecastle.

That put the focus on Rangers on Sunday, and after Danny Rohl's side went two behind at Falkirk, they responded to win 6-3 in a remarkable game.

Those results kept the teams separated by just three points with five games to play, and former goalkeeper Cammy Bell thinks each side will have taken a boost from delivering under pressure.

He believes Rangers will be buzzing after avoiding a "banana skin", while Hearts found "huge, huge moments" to deliver late goals in their game.

And looking at all three contenders, he says they will all have the belief they can continue to stack up wins.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the former Hearts and Rangers player said: "I think there will be different confidence levels within each club. But listen, you can break it down.

"It's difficult. They all won. And that's the main thing this weekend. They all got three points to move on and that's what they're going to have to do between now and the end of the season.

"It was a big win for Celtic on Saturday. They weren't probably at their best, but they get the job done. That's what it's going to be about between now and the end of the season; a bit of luck or a bit of magic.

"That's what you're looking for from your players. And trying to get three points because ultimately, if you can manage to do that most weeks, you'll end up top of the table and win the title.

"I think it's just made for a brilliant run into the end of the season with all three of them winning this weekend. It's so close, so tight and so difficult to call.

"There's going to be huge games coming up. We all know that it's going to be a blockbuster finish to the end of the season."

We asked for your views after Rangers fought back at Falkirk by scoring six times in a nine-goal thriller.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Sally: This team is hanging on to Hearts' tail feathers. If daft defensive errors can be addressed and they keep scoring the title is within their grasp. Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti seem to have a good understanding. Dujon Sterling is the go-to right-back and Jayden Meghoma needs to be more switched on.

Louise: After the first half I feared the worst. With Hearts and Celtic both winning it was almost true to form we would be the ones to drop points. What a turnaround from Rangers in the second half - five goals in 16 minutes! I think the credit needs to go to Danny Rohl here.

Steven: We cannot start matches like this and expect to recover every time. I've said since the start of the season that our defence will be our undoing and that was almost the case. Some tweaks to the second-half line-up made the difference today, but other teams will be much harder to break down. Got to tighten up if we're going to have any chance at this title.

Ronnie: Not a 90-minute performance but a title-winning performance from Rangers. We were very poor for 45 minutes but got a break with our first goal to get back in the game. The second half we were magnificent. Miovski and Chermiti dispelled any doubts that they should lead the line for the final five games. Brilliant Rangers. We are the form team, we have the momentum.

David: What a game - blood pressure returning to normal thankfully. Not good for us 70-year-olds, Danny! Performance wise this was a near replica of last week and many other games this season. Dreadful first 45, different team after the break. Continue this and we will not win the league. At least three of the teams we face will put us in an unrecoverable position by half-time.

Fraser: I don't know what Rohl said to them at the break, but it certainly worked. Once again we see Rangers not switched on in the first half. Nico Raskin was outstanding and should be our next captain. Miovski should start every game as he is the only real striker we have.

Watch highlights as Rangers fight back from two down at Falkirk by scoring six times in a nine-goal Scottish Premiership thriller.

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Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Kelle Roos (Kilmarnock): Not the finest all-round performance but came up clutch deep into stoppage time to deny Dundee from the spot and save a potentially priceless point for Killie.

Alexander Jensen (Aberdeen): Pushed back a little bit but impressed at wing-back against Hibernian. Tanked up and down the touchline and coped well when Hibs were trying to put him under pressure.

Krisztian Keresztes (Dundee United): Admittedly, not the finest weekend for defenders, but the substitute hauled United level with an important header to allow them to push on for a late win against Livingston.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): And here's the man who set him up. Ferry also opened the scoring with a superb solo goal at Tannadice.

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic): Few in green and white impressed in a narrow win over St Mirren at Celtic Park, but the South Korean showed up again.

Nicolas Raskin (Rangers): For his second-half showing at Falkirk. The Belgium international was like a man possessed after the break with an abundance of fight, quality and creativity on show. Displayed his very best as Rangers ripped Falkirk apart in a bonkers second 45.

Beni Baningime (Hearts): Back alongside Cammy Devlin in the engine room and back pulling the strings for Hearts. A classy performance - again - in the crucial win over Motherwell.

Emmanuel Gyamfi (Aberdeen): Outside his needless incident with Hibs striker Owen Elding, for which he was shown a yellow card after a VAR review, the wide man was Aberdeen's biggest threat in one of his better performances for the Dons. Hooked balls in at every chance he could, something Stephen Robinson will be desperate to see more of.

Sabah Kerjota (Hearts): Came on in the 66th minute and immediately became Hearts' set-piece taker, whipping in inviting deliveries - including one that led to the second goal. His cameo performances have impressed to the point there is clamour for him to start the upcoming Edinburgh derby over Alexandros Kyziridis.

Kevin Nisbet (Aberdeen): The man grateful for those deliveries from Gyamfi. Kept his cool from the spot against his former side before smashing the much-needed second over the line... just. Big, big goals and an equally impressive all-round performance.

Lewis Smith (Livingston): Doing all he can to keep Livingston in the league, chipping in with another two goals. Even if the Lions are relegated, which is increasingly likely, Smith should remain in the top flight. One wouldn't think he'd be short of suitors.

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Leeds United forward Joel Piroe, 26, might leave the club this summer because of a lack of game time, with Rangers a likely destination. (Football Insider), external

"I don't think Celtic can win it," says pundit Chris Sutton of his former club's chances of defending their title. "It's out of Hearts and Rangers." (Sky Sports), external

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl told BBC Sportsound: "I'm proud of the outcome.

"The start was very difficult, not what we want. We needed to adapt to the conditions.

"The reaction from my group was crucial, to score to make it 2-1 before half-time. Second half was just one direction. We played forward, created a lot of chances.

"Three games in a row with 14 goals, shows how we want to play. It's a consequence of the last few months and weeks. I try to give my team calmness and belief.

"I showed them solutions, but it's about my players - they delivered today. They were very honest to each other at half-time.

"My group has quality, spirit, belief and mentality to go until the end."

Rangers remarkably recovered from going two goals down to score six times against Falkirk in a nonsensical nine-goal contest and move back within a point of Hearts in this absorbing Scottish Premiership title race.

Read the full match report here.

And have your say on a remarkable match here.

The Scottish Professional Football League is preparing for a potential Old Firm Premiership play-off should the title race end in a deadlock between Rangers and Celtic. (Daily Record, external)

Lawrence Shankland looks increasingly likely to stay at Heart of Midlothian until the end of the 30-year-old Scotland striker's current contract despite long-standing interest in his signature from Rangers. (Football Insider, external)

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Rangers defender Jayden Meghoma has praised the work of head coach Danny Rohl with the club now in a "fantastic position to win the title".

When Rohl arrived at Rangers in October, following Russell Martin's sacking after a 1-1 draw at Falkirk, the club were 13 points behind league leaders Hearts.

Now, with six games to go, Rangers are just one point off top spot.

"Yeah, he's been instrumental to our success," Meghoma said of the boss.

"He's come in and he's changed things for all of us. You can see it in the group, you can see it with the fans. For us, it's just about pushing on and he's really helped us be in this position.

"From where we were at the start of the season to now is phenomenal. He and the team have put ourselves in a fantastic position to go on and win the title."

Meghoma, 19, is on loan from English Premier League outfit Brentford but has found himself second choice following the arrival of Tuur Rommens from Westerlo in the January window.

Rangers will be without Rommens this weekend through injury but Meghoma is relishing the competition.

"Healthy competition is always important for myself and for Tuur as well," the left-back added.

"So, to be honest with you, I've enjoyed it because it kind of pushes a different side of you and you kind of figure out what you have to do to get back into the team and that sort of thing.

"So, it's all a learning experience for me and I've enjoyed it.

"You can pick a lot of things from a lot of players and Tuur's obviously one of them.

"You learn things that he does from his past experiences and you look at what other players are doing around the team to kind of aid your game, essentially.

"But I think over the season a lot of players have kind of helped me with learning new things here and there."

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Falkirk continue without Louie Marsh and Ethan Williams (both thigh) but have no other selection problems.

Rangers pair Ryan Naderi and Tuur Rommens miss out, while Andreas Skov Olsen and Mikey Moore are fitness doubts.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's Premiership visit to Falkirk. Here is what he had to say:

• Striker Ryan Naderi could miss the rest of the season after being forced off with an injury against Dundee United. "It's a serious one, we don't know when he's back," said Rohl

• There are "question marks" around the fitness of Mikey Moore and Andreas Skov Olsen for the trip to the Falkirk Stadium.

• Tuur Rommens should return from injury to play a part in the post-split fixtures. "Maybe the first, if everything goes well, but later is the second game in the split."

• Rangers have all the ingredients to become champions. "We have the belief, we have the quality, we have the mindset and the mentality to win this title."

• The fact that Hearts, Rangers and Celtic have all won on the same weekend only once in this Premiership season shows how dangerous every game is. "I think it's crazy that you have this, it was just only one week that all the three teams won. Hopefully on the weekend we make our win. Then we don't care about the other two opponents in this race."

• Falkirk will play with a freedom having secured their top six spot. "Big respect to Falkirk, I think they're playing a good season to come in the first six of the table, I think this is a great achievement so far. They're still in the cup, I think this is nice for them as well. It means as well, we will face an opponent, they have nothing to lose now."

Motherwell forward Elijah Just is on a list of Rangers transfer targets, along with Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles, Dundee defender Luke Graham and Sheffield United forward Tyrese Campbell. (Record - subscription required), external

Former Rangers manager Barry Ferguson sees similarities between Ibrox winger Andreas Skov Olsen and Vaclav Cerney, who played for Ferguson last season. (Record - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

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• Rangers' Djeidi Gassama has had more shots following carries (29) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season, while he ranks second in the division for successful dribbles (53), behind Ibrahim Said's 57.

• Rangers have scored four goals in both of their last two league games, last doing so three games running in the league in December 2020 under Steven Gerrard.

• None of Falkirk's last eight home league games have been drawn, with the Bairns winning four and losing four since a goalless draw with Motherwell in December.

• Rangers have only lost one of their last 47 top-flight meetings with Falkirk (W38 D8), a 0-1 defeat in December 2006 under Paul Le Guen.

• Falkirk are unbeaten in their last four home league games against Rangers (W2 D2) since a 2-0 defeat in the Scottish Championship in August 2014.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers now know their exact route to potential glory in the most unpredictable title race in Scotland's top flight for decades.

First up, as they already knew, is a second trip of the season to Falkirk - the venue for Russell Martin's final game in charge.

The result on Sunday could set the tone for the run-in.

Rangers could be back in third by the time the game kicks off, assuming Hearts and Celtic win their home games on Saturday, so it's yet another psychological shift for the players to deal with.

They have yet to beat Falkirk this season and now know they must play them away from home twice in their final six games. A win on Sunday is imperative and would augur well for what might well be a must-win game on the last day.

Rangers always knew they faced four away fixtures in their last half-dozen games and the run of three successive draws before the narrow win at St Mirren will be fresh in supporters' memories.

The flip side of that is they have more points per game on their travels than any other team, losing just once at Tynecastle.

Seven of their 15 away games have ended in draws and while a point at either Hearts or Celtic Park post-split may be valuable, they know they cannot afford to drop many more points if they are to finish the season on top.

That outcome is tantalisingly close but so much remains to be done to seal it.

This weekend will tell us a lot about whether Danny Rohl's side have the mettle to become champions.