Danny Rohl shares Rangers updates for Roma ‘fight’ after Celtic controversies
Danny Rohl has shared an update on his Rangers squad ahead of the Europa League visit of Roma and appears to have no new personnel concerns.
Rangers lost 3-1 to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi final at the weekend in a dramatic and controversial game.
A chaotic first-half saw the Light Blues go a goal and a man down after Thelo Aasgaard was sent off for a high boot on Anthony Ralston, while Auston Trusty escaped red for a boot to Jack Butland’s face.
A James Tavernier penalty levelled matters in the second half but the Gers couldn’t keep it up into extra time and were knocked out.
When Roma visit Ibrox on Thursday Rohl will be looking to get his, and the club’s, first points in Europe this season after three-straight defeats to Genk, Sturm Graz, and then Brann in the German’s first game in charge.
Rohl reacts after Celtic loss with 10 men
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday Rohl didn’t indicate that anyone had picked up any injuries despite the cup clash going the full 120 minutes, and refused to be drawn on the refereeing controversies.
Ralston was also penalised for handball for the Rangers penalty whilst on a booking and stayed on the pitch, but Rohl cited the Aasgaard red-card decision as being something beyond his control, with his focus on how to fight back with a man down.
He said, via the official Rangers X account: “The referee’s decision was on the pitch, and our focus was on how we could get through the game with ten men. The energy in the second half from the players and the subs that came on helped us..
“We were all disappointed after the game in the changing room. The second half was good for getting the equaliser, but it was hard going into extra time and conceding so early.“
He indicated the Roma game was now the “most important” of the season and expects a “tough” match up.
He added: “My team are ready to go, and the atmosphere is always special at Ibrox. AS Roma will be tough and it will be aggressive, but I hope we can put on a good performance tomorrow night...
“I expect a big fight, with a lot of men pressing us on and off the ball tomorrow night. The atmosphere is special in league games, but European nights are also very special. It is about getting wins and I hope we do that tomorrow.”
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Rangers dismal in Europa League this term
At this stage even a valiant effort in defeat would be an improvement against the Serie A giants, in light of the limp 3-0 defeat in the previous European outing.
But off the back of an Old Firm loss which showed some resilience it is unlikely to make fans feel great about this Rangers outfit, especially when they had dug themselves a huge hole at Hampden in the first place anyway.
| Fixture | Result |
| 25 September, Rangers vs Genk | 1-0 loss |
| 2 October, Sturm Graz vs Rangers | 2-1 loss |
| 23 October, Brann vs Rangers | 3-0 loss |
Roma have only won one of their three Europa League games so far, but with the Gers rock bottom of the league table they need to get something on the board, as much for show as to mount any hopes of qualification.
It won’t be easy though with the Italians sitting fourth in Serie A despite a 1-0 loss to AC Milan on Sunday.
But Rohl and the players must recapture some positivity from the previous wins over Hibs and Kilmarnock as an embarrassment at home could send the season spinning out of control again.
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