Rangers boss Danny Rohl won't say it publicly but patience must now be tested by 3 players

Once again, Rohl was let down by his forwards in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Dundee United. Bojan Miovski, Danilo and Youssef Chermiti all missed good chances. More than £15 million has been spent on the trio. This season, they have netted only six goals between them by December.

Danilo has netted three times, Miovski twice and Chermiti once. Roughly £11m was spent on the latter two strikers last summer, the pair seen as the men to fire Rangers to glory. Miovski and Chermiti’s goals this term cost £3.5m each - a terrible return given the club they play for.

Rohl was diplomatic when asked about his strikers. Miovski failed to connect with a tantalising cross during the first half but Chermiti’s miss, on 84 minutes, was worse, planting a diving header from inside the six-yard box wide. The Portuguese in particular looks an expensive flop.

“It’s about being ruthless in both boxes, that’s the key part,” said Rohl afterwards - pointing out that his defence was far from watertight too. “If we do that, we can take steps forward.”

Rangers created enough chances at Tannadice to prevail. The issue was that those at the sharp end of the pitch appear devoid of confidence and composure. Miovski is currently a pale imitation of the striker who was so deadly for Aberdeen during his first spell in Scottish football. Chermiti is an imposing physical figure but has an awkward gait in front of goal. His tally of two senior club goals in three years tells you all you need to know.

Chermiti spared public flogging by Rohl

Danilo - signed in July 2023 - is probably Rangers’ most accomplished finisher, but his fitness issues make him a hard player to hang your hat on. Rohl also likes to deploy the Brazilian in a slightly deeper position. Winger Djeidi Gassama is often the team’s most threatening player off the wing, but his end product - be it crosses or finishing - remains wayward.

Rohl was specifically quizzed on Chermiti in the Tannadice press room. “I won’t speak in public about individual performances, I only do that with my group,” was the response. “It’s too easy to put it just on one person. There are a lot of players on the pitch who can help the team to win.”

Rangers won’t disclose their January transfer targets publicly yet behind closed doors, surely they are looking for a marksman. After 14 matches in the Premiership, captain James Tavernier - their right-back - is top scorer with a measly four goals. As a team, they have only netted 19 times in the league.

They needed Nedim Bajrami’s 97th-minute penalty to dig them out of a hole on Tayside. The Albanian was out of the picture under previous head coach Russell Martin but has been given a second Rangers chance by Rohl. "Three months ago I was away,” said Bajrami. “Now I'm back. I was always focused on Rangers and this is football sometimes, you need to be mentally strong.”

Bajrami is also backing his misfiring teammates to come good. "I know they have quality,” he added. “The right moment will be there and to score these goals and to come with confidence.”