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Rangers can't afford any more slow starts as Hearts trip looms
TL;DR
Rangers face a critical match against Hearts after suffering a costly slow start against Motherwell. Coach Danny Rohl acknowledges the team's need to improve their first-half performance to maintain title hopes.
Key points
- Rangers suffered a costly slow start against Motherwell.
- Danny Rohl acknowledged the need for improvement in first-half performances.
- The team's title prospects are at risk due to recent displays.
RangersHeartsMotherwell
[BBC]
Prior to Rangers' game against Motherwell on Sunday, Danny Rohl said he didn't want to focus on "negative" thoughts about the manner in which his side started the previous game against Falkirk.
A couple of hours later, he admitted they had paid the price for a similar first-half display against Motherwell and this time it proved hugely costly, dealing a massive blow to their title prospects.
Jens Berthel Askou's side were brilliant, particularly in that first period, but that should not have come as a surprise to Rohl and Rangers and does not excuse how flat they were and seemingly incapable of counteracting the visitors' slick, pacy play.
Now Rangers require favours from others and certainly cannot afford to lose again. They probably need to go to Tynecastle and win and then avoid defeat at Celtic Park, both of which will be extremely tough, but not impossible.
Celtic have to go to Easter Road before that and both Rangers and Hearts will hope Hibs can take something from that game, and Hearts and Celtic still have to go to Fir Park again, so all is not lost for Rangers.
But Rangers can't afford to start games the way they did against Falkirk and though they could ultimately have won against Motherwell as well, despite that dreadful first half, they can have no real complaints about the outcome having given themselves so much to do.
The half-time changes definitely made a difference, with Mohamed Diomande putting in his best performance since coming on at Celtic Park to turn that game in Rangers' favour.
But the key introduction was that of Mikey Moore, albeit he should have scored. That aside, he once again showed how important he is to the team.
He is clearly not 100% fit, as Rohl alluded to, but if Rangers can't get him ready to start the upcoming fixtures against Hearts and Celtic, their hopes of getting the results they need will be diminished.
Monday is massive for both sides. It's going to be another fascinating weekend in the title race.
Q&A
What did Rangers' coach Danny Rohl say about the team's performance?
Danny Rohl expressed concern over the negative impact of slow starts, particularly after the costly first-half display against Motherwell.
How did Rangers' slow start affect their title prospects?
The slow start against Motherwell resulted in a significant setback for Rangers, jeopardizing their chances in the title race.
What is at stake for Rangers in the upcoming match against Hearts?
Rangers must avoid another slow start against Hearts to keep their title hopes alive and recover from recent poor performances.
