Danny Rohl hails Youssef Chermiti as a big-game player after a hat-trick in Rangers' 4-2 win over Hearts and reflects on the sold-out Ibrox atmosphere and the road ahead to Livingston
Danny Rohl called Rangers’ 4-2 comeback against Hearts at Ibrox a genuine test of character — and it was easy to see why. Twice they fell behind by two goals, only to rally in front of a packed stadium. Youssef Chermiti stole the show with a hat-trick, aided by an unfortunate own goal from Michael Steinwender, but the win felt like more than just individual brilliance.
Rangers tightened their transitions when it mattered, Chermiti showed ice-cold finishing in the box, and the crowd’s rising roar repeatedly swung momentum back in their favour.
What changed during the game
Rangers didn’t tinker aimlessly; they changed gears. After conceding, the team shortened its passing and pushed forward more directly.
Midfielders began playing vertical passes into the channels instead of recycling the ball across the backline. Chermiti became the focal point: more through-balls into his path and low pull-backs from the wings put him where he could finish.
When Rohl introduced fresh legs, the tempo jumped — pressing moments intensified, Hearts had less time on the ball, and turnovers bred the best chances. The equaliser captured the shift perfectly: a sharp one-two in midfield, a quick delivery into the box and a composed finish that swung the match.
Strengths and vulnerabilities
Strengths
– Clinical in the final third: Coordinated movement off the ball and ruthless finishing turned pressure into goals.
– Bench depth: Rohl’s substitutes sustained momentum and kept the game moving at a high tempo.
– Home advantage: Ibrox didn’t just make noise; the crowd altered the match’s emotional arc and sharpened the team’s focus.
Vulnerabilities
– Slow starts: Letting Hearts take early leads twice exposed lapses in concentration that are dangerous against better-drilled sides.
– Space on the break: Pushing full-backs high and committing men forward left gaps behind that invite counters and set-piece threats.
– Timing reliance: The system needs precise interplay. Opponents who disrupt early passing lanes can blunt Rangers’ rhythm.
Tactical anatomy of the attack
Rangers built their attacks around compact central positioning that could quickly rotate to the flanks. Short, angled passes lured Hearts defenders out of shape; once a seam opened, the team attacked half-spaces with vertical runs. Wide players stretched the back line and created channels for Chermiti to exploit, while timed off-ball runs and one-touch combinations supplied the tempo for decisive moments. The whole approach felt choreographed — practiced patterns brought to life under pressure.
Coaching takeaways
– Prioritise service into the penalty area: both threaded through-balls and low crosses help strikers like Chermiti thrive.
– Nail the opening minutes in training to prevent self-inflicted early setbacks.
– Practice “pressing windows”: rehearsed high-intensity bursts and quick combination play make tactical shifts easier to execute mid-game.
– Use substitutions proactively to keep the tempo high and protect key players during congested schedules.
Managerial view: blueprint, not a fluke
Rohl framed the victory as proof that the team can deliver a rehearsed plan under pressure. Training has focused on spacing, pressing triggers and passing corridors so players can reproduce patterns instinctively. The crowd’s energy gave a measurable lift — noise accelerated pressing and nudged Hearts into mistakes — but Rohl is mindful of the downsides. Predictability and overreliance on an in-form striker are real risks, so expect slight tweaks and variations to keep opponents guessing.
Using crowd energy wisely
A loud stadium is a weapon if channelled; if not, it can become a distraction. At Ibrox the supporters helped Rangers recover from early errors and hastened transitions, but sustained emotional highs can erode focus. Practical steps include simulated noisy sessions in training, careful minute management across busy spells and clearer substitution rules tied to the game state rather than gut feeling.
Load management and squad sustainability
With a packed fixture list, Rangers are leaning on data and monitoring to manage player loads. GPS wearables, optical tracking and wellness questionnaires feed readiness scores that guide minutes and training intensity. The goal is straightforward: keep match-winners like Chermiti fit and effective all season without tipping into burnout. The benefits — smarter rotation and fewer injuries — are clear, but numbers should inform, not replace, coaching intuition.
How opponents might respond
Rivals will study Rangers’ high-tempo link play and look to clog the interior with deeper blocks or tighter midfield screening. Others may invite the ball and try rapid, structured counter-attacks to exploit the space left by attacking full-backs. Across the league, teams will be tracking turnover locations, transitional xG and completion rates of angled passes as benchmarks to measure their plans against Rangers’ approach. The win showcased strengths worth building on — and exposed warning signs that Rohl will need to manage if Rangers are to make this blueprint sustainable over a long season.
