Striking Rangers squad mentality claim made as returning key man speaks on frustration and derby experience

When Danny Rohl took over from previous boss Russell Martin in October, Rangers were 13 points behind in the title race. Improved form since the German’s arrival brought them to within a point of Derek McInnes’ long-time leaders, and even briefly ahead for 24 hours.

However, successive league defeats by Motherwell and Hearts - a first since 2018 - means Rangers will also be counted out of the race to finish runners-up with another loss to defending champions Celtic on Sunday.

The prospect of a third season without silverware from the last four campaigns now looks very real for Rangers. It would require a dramatic late collapse from Hearts in their final three fixtures and for Celtic to also drop points over their remaining games for that scenario to change as the most fascinating top-flight title race in a generation nears an exciting climax.

To put their recent trophy woes into context, Rangers have failed to win a domestic competition since Philippe Clement guided them to the 2023 League Cup. That came the year after a Scottish Cup triumph under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and their 2021 Premiership title success spearheaded by Steven Gerrard.

In contrast, Celtic have won nine trophies over that five-year period and, to the surprise of many, are still in with a firm chance of clinching a league and cup double this term. That comes despite enduring one of their most chaotic seasons in recent history, characterised by unsettling managerial changes and fan protests directed towards the club’s hierarchy.

So it was no real surprise when the mentality of this Rangers squad was called into question again after their failure to win another high-profile fixture at Tynecastle. It leaves Rohl under pressure and his players with an uphill task to finish in second spot, which comes with the security of a Champions League qualifying place.

Yet Rommens feels it is unfair that Rangers squad mentality continues to be brought up.

“No, not really, because I think that the mentality in this group is great. I think we have no issues with that,” the Belgian full-back responded when quizzed on the subject. “I don't think it's about mentality. I don't know, it's just also adjustments in the game. Obviously, Tynecastle is a hard place to go. But I think we have a great group, great players. So, yeah, I don't think it's mentality. Maybe a little bit of focus, I don't know. The result was not good, everybody knows that. But we’ve reflected on it and we go again on Sunday.

“We always talk about the game in the dressing room after, even if we win or we lose. We speak about what was good and what went wrong, so nothing has changed really. Of course, it's difficult just after a game that you lost to your direct opponents, but I think you just need to make a switch and have some good training sessions, some positive vibes to go to Celtic and win the game.”

Rommens: ‘Rangers fans won’t see the best of me until next season’

Rommens made his comeback from a four-week injury absence in Gorgie with a late 15-minute cameo and while expressing frustration at the timing of his spell on the side lines, he insists it won’t be until the start of next season when Rangers fans start to see the best of him.

“I had a small issue with my leg and I kept playing with this and I made it actually worse,” the 23-year-old explained. “It was a pity to be on the sidelines for three or four weeks. No matter what the result is, when you cannot play and you cannot help the team, it's very frustrating because you want to help and you want to get it over the line. So, yeah, it was a hard time.

“But I think it will be next season before the fans really see the best of me. I think when you have the whole pre-season with the coach and with the squad and to get the ideas from everybody on what to expect, it will help a lot.”

Rommens opens up on lack of derby experience in Belgium

With the title seemingly now out of reach, Sunday’s Old Firm showdown at Celtic Park still presents Rangers with an opportunity to put a huge dent in their bitter city rivals’ own title aspirations. For Rommens, it’s a fixture he relishes no matter what is at stake.

Asked about his previous derby experiences in his native Belgium, Rommens smiled: “Everybody loved the team that I played for, so we didn't have real rivals. So I haven’t experienced that properly yet. That's why I'm looking forward to Sunday. The stadiums in Belgium are also really small and I played for a smaller team, so I didn't get to experience it.

“But I think these are the biggest games of the season. When I came here, I was really looking forward to the derbies in a big stadium, great atmosphere. It will be intense. I think also for the supporters, for ourselves, for the club, it's a big one. We need to win our next three games for the Champions League place. So, I think it's a big thing to finish this season in a good way. If we can get these three wins it would really increase the belief for next year.”

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