Exclusive:Why Rangers boss must get 49ers financial backing in summer transfer window - regardless of title race outcome
A former Rangers striker and Scotland international has voiced his thoughts on Danny Rohl should approach the summer transfer window
Rangers are currently embroiled in a three-horse race for the Scottish Premiership title - but a former Ibrox striker is adamant Danny Rohl must be supported by the club’s American owners in the summer window regardless of where they finish in the table.
With eight games left to play, the Ibrox side sit just three points adrift of league leaders Hearts heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures. The Light Blues will hope to capitalise on any slip-up from the Jambos, who are at home to Dundee on Saturday, when they take to the pitch against Aberdeen later that evening.
But if Rangers were to fall short in their title bid and end a second successive season without silverware, ex-Gers and Scotland international Andy Gray is convinced 49ers Enterprises and chairman Andrew Cavenagh must continue to give head coach Rohl their full financial backing.
“I would hope so,” Gray replied when asked by GlasgowWorld via BetSelect.co.uk if the German boss should still be backed in the transfer market if Rangers end the campaign trophyless. “I think Danny's done a decent job so far, I really do. He picked up a team who were short in confidence, short in belief, short in quality and in the space of about six months, or less in fact, he got Rangers back in the title race.
“Okay, he lost the cup tie, that was a real blow going out on penalties and dropping two points in the league against Celtic was a real blow having been two goals up at half-time and cruising. But he's done a lot of positive things and has brought in better players in the short term that he's been there.
“So, there's nothing that I can see to say he shouldn’t get the new owners backing. He's only lost about six games or so since he took over. The only slight negative is that Rangers have drawn too many games, if I'm being honest, games they should be winning.
Gray: Rangers inability to see out games from winning positions can be solved with ‘three or four’ additions
“But that can be solved and done with the addition of a few new players in the summer. I don't think there necessarily needs to be a massive spend in this window. If Rangers can get three or four quality footballers in the door this summer, then I think that's going to make a huge difference to them moving forward.
“Danny has surprised me, I have to be honest. I must admit I wasn't sure about it when he took over from Russell Martin, who was a really bad appointment at the time and nothing happened to change my mind on that. But I was unsure about Danny.
“However, I think he’s done enough to merit being allowed to continue in the job in my opinion, even if Rangers don't win the league this season. They’re only three points off the top, though, so they’re still in there with a chance but I think they're going to have to finish with an unbeaten record and win most games during the run-in to give themselves any chance.
“Hearts have stood the test until now and I've been impressed with them. Since the turn of the year, the pressure's been firmly on them. People have questions ‘will they stay the distance, can they do it having never been in this position’, etc. All the usual questions that have been thrown at them. But they've responded really well. So they're standing the test of time and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win the league now.”
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