The pre split tool Rangers have deployed to gain title race advantage as trophy chances rated by former star
Former Rangers, Liverpool and Scotland midfielder rates his old club’s title chances and highlights benefits of warm weather training camp
Danny Rohl has been told it would be a “massive achievement” if he manages to steer Rangers to the Premiership title this season considering how far adrift they were earlier in the season.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has rejuvenated a squad that looked destined to toil in the bottom half of the table or fall out of the title race entirely by adopting a ‘back to basics’ approach that saw him instil confidence and prioritise defensive stability over immediate tactical success.
Rohl has managed to shift the mindset of his once struggling squad by transforming them into serious title contenders over a relatively short period of time. And ex-Gers midfielder Charlie Adam believes the German would deserve immense credit, should his old club beat Hearts and Celtic to the title.
“Listen, it would be a massive achievement,” he admitted. “I think they were 15 points behind at one point. The start of the season was not good enough from a Rangers point of view, and there were various factors that contributed to that. But when you make a change of manager, you can only make an impact on what the group is and Danny has done that.
“You can see that he's improved that squad a lot. The team is in a different moment now than it was when they were going to Falkirk the last time. You've got strikers scoring goals, you've got goals all over the pitch. Again, confidence is different.
“I keep talking about connection with supporters, but the supporters are always the mainstay of the football club. And when you've got that, it can help you a lot. We saw that on Sunday coming from behind, it was a brilliant turnaround. It sets Rangers up nicely for a brilliant split at the end of the season.
Charlie Adam explains training camp benefits for Rangers and Hearts ahead of title run-in
With Premiership leaders Hearts and title-chasing Rangers not involved in this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-finals, both clubs have opted to travel abroad for a warm weather training camp in Spain to prepare for the post-split fixtures. Adam reckons it’s a good move by both managers as he explained the potential benefits of their five-day trips.
“I think it's a good thing,” Adam declared. “Hearts were obviously looking to do that a few weeks ago and head out to Dubai, but there was a problem going there. And now both clubs have decided to travel to Spain. What I would say is I think they'd both rather be playing here at Hampden in the [Scottish Cup] semi-final, but unfortunately, it's not to be.
“They’ve got an opportunity now to get everyone together, let the players relax a little bi, maybe played a game of golf, a bit of dinner. Just keeping the lads together, because when you're at the training ground, you don't spend as much time together.
“But when you're away for four or five days, you're with everybody for 24 hours a day. It's a great way to keep camaraderie and build good team spirit. That’s what Danny and Derek (McInnes) will be hoping for.
“They’ll be able to work on certain things. How can we improve? What have we done well so far that's going to bring us success between now and the end of the season? And what aspects have we maybe struggled with that we can improve on? So, I think it’s a positive thing.”
*Charlie Adam was promoting Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of Celtic v St Mirren on Sunday from 1.30pm on Premier Sports 1. Watch Premier Sports via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV, STV Player and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription, and on the Premier Sports’ Player