Rohl won't watch title rivals as Rangers take top spot

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was satisfied as his team went top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season - just don't expect him to follow the Hearts and Celtic games on Sunday.

The 4-2 win over Dundee United at Ibrox marked the first time for two years Rangers have climbed to the top of the league.

It also eclipsed the 13-point gap Rangers had to make up on Hearts when Rohl replaced Russell Martin in October.

They only lead on goal difference and will cede top spot if Hearts, who had led since September, avoid defeat at bottom side Livingston on Sunday.

Not that Rohl will be following closely.

"I will do the same as the last matchday," the Rangers boss said.

"I put my phone off, no ticker [on the bottom of the screen], no live score. Last time, I got a message from my assistant coach saying 'did you see the result [Celtic's loss to Dundee United]?'.

"I said 'no, what happened?' He said 'great result'. So I will do exactly the same and maybe three times in a row it will happen.

"Let's see - but I'm not available this time on Sunday."

Rohl wants to build on 'front-foot' play

Rohl was able to enjoy his side scoring four goals for the second game in a row at Ibrox, with some influential performances in attack.

As the German said after the match, if Rangers win six games they win the league.

The question is whether the performances suggest they are capable of doing that given the opposition only gets tougher. Rohl is "convinced" they can.

The win against United built on improved attacking performances, something that has been thrown at this Rangers side. Are they creative enough?

They are, though, the top-scorers in the league and looking much more of a threat.

Thelo Aasgaard has been a much-maligned figure in his maiden season at Ibrox but was involved in three of the four goals, including scoring the third.

Djeidi Gassama, whose form has dipped after eye-catching early displays, was impactful off the bench in driving Rangers forward, and set up Aasgaard.

Striker Ryan Naderi grabbed his first Premiership goal too, before being withdrawn with an injury at half-time for Youssef Chermiti.

Rangers' number nine ended up with four shots and no goals in a busy display but is still looking for consistency, while Andreas Skov Olsen underwhelmed again before being withdrawn at the break.

Nonetheless, there is plenty to build on.

"We have to be on the front foot and if we win six games then we will have something at the end of the season," Rohl added.

"I am really convinced that my players have the potential to do this. But there is still a long way to go and it's no secret that next week away to Falkirk is a very, very difficult game.

"We will take things step by step, but we had nine 'finals' and we have won the first three of them.

"That gives us a good feeling, but nothing more. We have to be humble and ready for the next fight."

'We need to be stronger against the ball'

Staying humble is the message from Rohl because he acknowledged performances are still falling short of being excellent for entire matches.

With left-back Tuur Rommens injured for the next two games at least, Jayden Meghoma started for the first time since February and struggled defensively.

John Souttar's form is also a concern as he made his return to the starting line-up but was caught out, along with others, by swift United counter-attacking.

Rangers could have been more streetwise when re-establishing their two-goal lead and Rohl laid down the gauntlet to his players.

"I like clean sheets and the last two games we've conceded one - and then two today," Rohl told BBC Scotland.

"It's a little bit too much for me because we needed four goals and in some games you won't have the chance for four goals.

"We need to be stronger against the ball. But we want to play exciting football and in some phases of the game we played enjoyable football.

"At 2-0 and 3-1, you feel our quality - we were finding the spaces and being really brave. But then you bring your opponent back which was unnecessary.

"The 2-1 can happen but the 3-2 we should never allow because we had a lot of situations before to score four or five.

"We took our three points and did our hard work."