Danny Rohl feels Rangers’ resurgence has ‘surprised people’

Danny Rohl believes Rangers have “surprised a lot of people” with their turnaround in form since he took over as boss in October.

The German coach was speaking after a 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox took the Light Blues into second place in the William Hill Premiership, three points behind leaders Hearts and three ahead of Celtic, having played a game more than both their title rivals.

Defender Emmanuel Fernandez and midfielder Nicolas Raskin scored headers from first-half Connor Barron corners for a fourth successive win for the first time in 13 months.

When Rohl took over from Russell Martin the Light Blues were sixth in the table, eight points behind Celtic and 13 behind Hearts but the rejuvenation has brought 10 wins, two draws and one defeat in 13 league matches.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who enjoyed a 3-1 win at Celtic Park on Saturday and who is positive about adding to his squad in the transfer window, was asked if he is exceeding expectations of the club and board.

He said: “First it’s important that it’s not just my person, it’s also about my coaching team, they support me every day.

“I have a fantastic coaching team, it’s not a one-man show, we’re doing this together with the club, with my players, with the coaches, with the staff behind the coaches, I think we’re growing together.

“I don’t know, I think we are on a fantastic way, I think we surprised a lot of people since I came here.

“But for me it’s about the next, I’m hungry, I’m ambitious, I know what it means and what effort we need until the end of the season.

“The next three points, a clean sheet, that was the most important thing.

“I think we played some good football for some minutes, in some parts we had some easy ball-losing situations but all in all, I’m very proud of the group at the moment.

“I think especially the last 15 minutes they felt really empty.

“But from my point of view I felt that we controlled the game, we deserved to win, again, two good goals from set-plays and a strong performance from this part, a couple more chances.

“Now, after the game on the weekend, you never know, it’s always difficult to play three days later again, but we delivered again, and the next three points helped us.”

Aberdeen’s first-team coach Peter Leven was in charge after boss Jimmy Thelin departed on Sunday after a five-game winless run and he said: “I’m disappointed to lose the goals that we lost.

“But the boys reacted the way I wanted. The pressing was good, the intensity, the fight was there.

“At times when we do play, we look like a good team.

“I thought we had enough chances to take something from the game. I think we had clearer chances (to score goals ourselves). You need to take those opportunities.

“Just add a little bit of end product, a little bit of composure. But I thought we had great chances.”