Danny Rohl lifts lid on talks with Rangers board, assurances over his future, and summer spending

The Ibrox club are guaranteed to finish third in the Scottish Premiership after the 3-1 defeat by Celtic on Sunday saw them lose three successive league matches for the first time in 26 years.

It marks another season without a trophy for Rangers in what was their first campaign under new American ownership following the much-heralded takover by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises last summer.

Before the split Rangers sat one point behind leaders Hearts and were considered favourites for the title with bookmakers. The capitulation that followed has led some Rangers fans to call for Rohl to be replaced as head coach but the German, who took over from Russell Martin in October, revealed he has received the backing of Cavenagh and his fellow board members following the defeat by Celtic.

"I think the last 48 hours, there was unbelievable support from the board," Rohl said. "Everyone around me sees a lot of positive things, but we are also critical of ourselves. I think there's no question mark.

"The most important thing is it is what I have said many times, we have to take all the information and what we need into the new season. I think you can imagine, with Tav (James Tavernier leaving after 11 years), we lose the captain and it means for us, this is a big signal as well.

"We need new leaders, more leaders for the dressing room, to set our standards that we want on the training pitch, in difficult moments in the game.

"I think this is crucial. This is a great opportunity to work on this. Yesterday, conversations again with the club and you can really trust me, I'm very clear, especially also after the last three weeks, what we need to be top, top, top."

Rohl will now look to relieve some pressure by finishing the campaign with two victories in the final two games of the season at home to Hibs on Wednesday and away to Falkirk on Saturday.

Asked whether the criticism was fair, he added: "This is not my job to measure this. I think everyone who knows me knows exactly how I handle the situations. I think that is the motivation to do it better and find solutions. Football is football and we are in a big club. We are in a demanding club and that's about winning games. If you don't win games, then of course, I take the responsibility for this. I stand in front of my group. I'm the leader of the club in this case and I reflect myself. But I'm also looking forward and I'm really motivated for the future to make it better and to bring something back that we all want.

"Maybe 16 days ago, the full stadium was signing my name and at the moment it's a bit less. But guys, I understand this. I understand also the big disappointment, especially when you come so close to a point where everyone believes and they're confident that we can win something and then you drop in this moment like this, then it's hard. For me, it's a big, big motivation for the new season to go forward and to be better - much, much better."

Rangers’ new owners spent £36 million on transfers in their first season at the helm and Rohl revealed he will be given more money to spend on squad improvements this summer.

"I cannot guarantee you how much, but I can guarantee you that they are really open to go again forward,” he added. “Because they see the potential at the moment.

"They see really what we missed and as well what we can do with the right signings. I'm confident in this. I think this is again the great setup. Why I like it at the moment here is because we are ambitious, we are honest to each other, but we want to move forward."