Former Rangers star makes two game title prediction as Hearts pressure cooker brings major doubts
Former Rangers midfielder believes head coach Danny Rohl is secret weapon in title race
Rangers boss Danny Rohl has been told that his sensational turnaround at Ibrox has put the team in pole position to win the Scottish Premiership title this season.
Replacing former manager Russell Martin in October, Rohl has been able to close the gap on leaders Hearts to just a single point with six league games remaining, despite beginning his tenure 13 points adrift.
With defending champions Celtic also in the mix, and just three points behind in the race for the title, the final weeks of the campaign are set to be some of the most tense in the league’s modern history. However, ex-Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes believes his former team have the momentum to take them all the way.
“Not only 13 points behind, but the team's confidence, morale, and the way they were playing, there was so much work to do [when he arrived],” said Mendes. “Danny Rohl is doing a terrific job. He's a young manager, and there were a lot of doubts when Rangers signed him. For sure, the fans would have preferred someone with a bigger name, with more experience. But he is doing a terrific job. He's just put everything together, and the team now exudes confidence.
“I think, when the pressure is really on and there's no room for failure, having that confidence and morale can be a key aspect to winning the title. I think the Rangers players just started to play and enjoy themselves, and of course, Danny Rohl came in and sometimes it takes time to settle in and put his own ideas across. But the past two or three months have been fantastic.
“If you look at their form and the way they're playing, their confidence is one thing they have confidence that, I think, other teams lack. So they can benefit from that. Hearts have a lot of pressure on their shoulders and might not be able to cope. Of course, they have been outsiders even when leading, so whatever they achieve will be good for them. But the dream is just around the corner for Hearts, so they can't avoid thinking about it, and that brings pressure. It will be very tight.”
Asked where he sees the title being won and lost, the 47-year-old believes Rangers have to target results in two key games to be crowned champions. Without a league title win since the 2020/21 season, Mendes is hoping his former side can avoid some final-day nerves if they can navigate both tests.
“I think the key games will be Hearts and Celtic away for Rangers,” Mendes told Thunderpick. Rangers just need a result in both of those. I think the three teams won't lose points in the last game before the split. So Rangers need to put themselves in a position that they won't need to pray for a result in the last game between Celtic and Hearts. I think the both away games at Hearts and Celtic could be very, very decisive for the title. If Rangers win those, they will lift the trophy.”
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