Rangers head coach Danny Röhl has stressed his ‘full focus’ is on the Ibrox club and rebuilding for future success, despite persistent links to a move back to Germany. The 37-year-old, who took charge in October, has been reported as a target for Wolfsburg as they consider replacing Dieter Hecking.
Röhl acknowledged the speculation but insisted his attention remains with Rangers. ‘My full focus is on Rangers,’ he said. ‘There are a lot of rumours. I look back last year with how many clubs I was linked, I could get maybe 20 jobs in the newspaper. Even the last couple of days our conversations with the club goes just in one direction, how we can win titles with the club in the future.’
The manager has guided Rangers back into the Scottish Premiership title race this season, but consecutive defeats — most recently against Hearts — have all but ended their chances of securing silverware this campaign. Those results have increased scrutiny on Röhl, who has previously spoken about his ambition to work in the Bundesliga.
Asked whether he will remain at Ibrox next season, Röhl was unequivocal. ‘From my side, of course, 100 per cent. I’m convinced. I chose this club for the reason to bring it back to success and win titles.’ He recalled Rangers’ recent trophy drought: ‘In the last 15 years we didn’t win what we should do and I think this is a big part of what we have to change.’
Röhl says standards at the club have risen since he arrived. ‘In the last six months, we improved the standards higher and higher. In the last seven days we couldn’t and I think this is a big part in our future. We move now forward and it gives me, especially also for the new season, a big, big motivation to be better every day, increase the standards and make the step forward what we want.’
Rangers now head to Celtic Park in Sunday’s Old Firm clash knowing a win is crucial to keep hopes of finishing second — and securing a Champions League qualifying place — alive. Röhl pointed to the importance of the fixture and the supporters: ‘It’s a special game for us. Nobody needs extra motivation to go in this game. We want to make our supporters and fans proud and that means we have to deliver on Sunday.’
He recalled his last visit to Parkhead, a 3-1 victory against a Celtic side then managed by Wilfried Nancy, as evidence of the team’s ability to respond when games go against them: ‘We showed we can do that. That’s when we really felt the belief that even when things don’t go right in a game we can turn them in the right direction.’
Röhl remains focused on rebuilding at Rangers and insists any outside interest will not distract him from the job of returning the club to consistent success.