Rangers finally brought their damaging run of form to an end with a chaotic 5-2 win over Falkirk, avoiding an unwanted club record while simultaneously reinforcing many of the issues Danny Rohl had warned about before kick-off.
Speaking ahead of the match, the Rangers head coach stressed the need for stronger leadership, improved standards and “leaders, not just followers” as he outlined the scale of the summer rebuild facing the club after four straight league defeats.
On the pitch, there were flashes of exactly what Rohl wants moving forward, but also reminders of why sweeping change is now inevitable.
Youssef Chermiti stars amid Porto links
With speculation growing around reported interest from Porto, Chermiti delivered a strong statement of intent ahead of a big summer at Ibrox.
The striker scored twice inside the opening ten minutes with two very different finishes before completing his hat-trick early in the second half. He later won the penalty converted by Thelo Aasgaard to cap a dominant attacking display.
Now finishing the season on 15 goals, the forward showed clear development in his movement, physicality and composure, traits that have improved steadily under Rohl across the campaign.
Djiedi Gassama also found the net amid continued reports Monaco could revisit their January interest this summer, with Chermiti providing the assist.
Jack Butland concerns continue despite win
Despite the scoreline, Rangers again looked vulnerable defensively and much of the focus will fall on Jack Butland.
Rangers were cruising at 2-0 inside seven minutes before the goalkeeper miscontrolled a backpass to gift Falkirk a route back into the game.
It continued a worrying pattern late in the season, with Rangers now conceding at least two goals in seven consecutive matches with Butland in goal.
The goalkeeper could do little about Calvin Miller’s penalty despite diving the correct way, and he later produced an important one-on-one save from the same player at 4-2, but the broader trend remains concerning.
One clean sheet in the last 15 league games, combined with ongoing distribution issues, increasingly points towards Rangers needing a more reliable long-term option if Rohl is to implement the aggressive, controlled style he wants next season.
Danny Rohl’s warnings reflected in performance
Before the game, Rohl openly admitted Rangers needed cultural change.
“We want to create leaders, not just followers,” he said.
The German also acknowledged the club lacked enough leadership figures after confirming more experienced players would leave this summer, including captain James Tavernier.
Even within victory, the Falkirk performance reflected those contradictions. Rangers looked devastating going forward but emotionally fragile defensively whenever momentum shifted.
Rohl himself referenced the “rollercoaster of emotions” that has defined the final weeks of the campaign, and this match followed a similar pattern.
The result at least ensured Rangers avoided equalling the club’s worst-ever five-match league losing streak from 1983.
However, Rohl still became the first Rangers manager to lose four consecutive league games outright in a single run.
Right-back issue grows
Another major concern emerged around the right side of defence.
Pre-match, Rohl confirmed Dujon Sterling was unavailable because he did not feel comfortable playing on Falkirk’s artificial surface.
With Tavernier departing and Max Aarons also leaving at the end of his loan spell, Rangers suddenly face a serious shortage in that position.
Nasser Djiga started at right-back before being replaced after a first-half knock, while Aarons later entered the game.
Sterling’s ongoing availability issues across his three years at Ibrox only increase the urgency for Rangers to recruit a dependable option capable of playing consistently every week.
Academy trio handed opportunity
There was at least a positive glimpse of the future late on.
Rohl introduced U19 title-winning captain Aiden McCallion, scorer Zebedee Lawson and 16-year-old Ashton Scally for the final stages, rewarding strong academy progress this season.
Lawson made his second senior appearance after debuting earlier in the campaign against Annan, while McCallion and Scally both made their first-team debuts.
For a club searching for renewed identity and standards, the pathway from academy success into the senior squad may become increasingly important over the months ahead.
