Copyright scotsman
Danny Rohl believes it’s still too early to speak about Rangers as title challengers after the Ibrox side made it three successive league victories in a row for the first time in nearly a year. The visitors brushed hosts Dundee aside to win 3-0 at Dens Park. It was a welcome return to winning form after two successive defeats in the League Cup to Celtic and Europa League against AS Roma. Rangers have risen to fourth place and Rohl was loudly acclaimed by the away fans at the end. Asked about a title challenge, with 12 points now separating the Ibrox side from leaders Hearts, who have played a game more, the manager sought to temper any rising expectations. Hibs and Celtic are currently nearer the top going into another international window. It was at the start of the last such break when Russell Martin, Rohl's predecessor, was sacked. “At first I’m very happy that we’ve now won three games in a row,” said Rohl. “I think when I arrived we had eight points. Now we have nine points in three games. I think this is huge, as is keeping clean sheets. That’s helpful. “To win 3-0 is good but we know our expectations are high. I’m here to build up something but not just wins. We want to do more but it takes steps and I think it’s important to understand that after wins, we are not straight up in one direction and after we lose it’s not in another direction. “We need to have a good balance and I want to see a step forward. At the moment I see forward steps, even if everything is not perfect.” He addressed the fans and the harmony that seems to be forming between them and him. It is in marked contrast to the toxic relationship that quickly developed between predecessor Russell Martin and a significant number of supporters. “I try to always have a good relationship with our fans,” he said. “Respect for them, they travel everywhere. I see a lot of togetherness more and more. Again, when I look back, since I have been here, everyone goes more and more towards one direction. It is good. I have great support from my staff and my coaches and the players are listening. If we can bring this together with our fans then we are all going in one direction and we can build something here.” Dundee manager Steven Pressley, meanwhile, explained why Dundee talisman and skipper Simon Murray was missing from the starting XI. He was listed among the substitutes and came on after 59 minutes, with Dundee losing 2-0. Although the hosts improved after the interval, they rarely troubled Jack Butland. “I made a decision,” said Pressley, whose side have now slipped to three successive defeats since beating Celtic while failing to score in the process. "I spoke to Simon on a couple of things. I made a decision that I thought that in Emile Acquah we could get a focal point against Rangers today. “And that was really the decision that I made. "It's not changed anything," he added. "It's just a decision that I felt was right for this particular game. He took it like a true professional. He was disappointed of course, Simon wants to play every single week. But I've asked a lot of him over this period, I've played him when he's not been fit and it's affected him. But I think you've seen his response today when he came on, the energy that he brings. He responded in the best possible manner.”
