Danny Röhl Delivers Brutal Post-Match Verdict: Following the 2:2 Draw Danny Röhl publicly blames one player he says doesn’t deserve the shirt at all
Rangers manager Danny Röhl unleashed a scathing assessment of his squad after a dramatic 2 2 Old Firm draw with Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday, publicly singling out centre-back John Souttar in unusually blunt terms.
Rangers looked well on course for all three points in a pulsating Scottish Premiership derby. Goals early in each half from forward Youssef Chermiti, a spectacular overhead effort in the eighth minute followed by a composed finish in the 26th, had the home fans dreaming of a landmark victory.
Yet Celtic fought back in the second half. Kieran Tierney’s 56th-minute header pulled the Hoops back into the contest, and deep in added time, Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate bundled home his rebound after a penalty and a follow-up save from Rangers keeper Jack Butland to snatch a dramatic 2 2 draw.
The result, while thrilling for neutrals, leaves Rangers six points behind league leaders Hearts and vulnerable in the title race with just nine games to play.
Röhl Breaks Silence With a brutal comment in His Verdict
In a post-match interview that sent shockwaves through the dressing room and among supporters, Röhl abandoned the typical measured manager speak and turned his fire on his own leadership group, particularly defender John Souttar.
“I can’t sugarcoat it. John Souttar let the team down today. You could hear the disappointment from the fans and rightly so. At this level, mistakes like that are unacceptable. He’s not showing the quality or commitment required to wear this shirt. It’s time we think seriously about the future without him”
The outburst marks an unusually public clash between manager and player. Souttar, 29, has been a regular figure in Rangers’ defence since arriving in 2023, but his performances have come under increasing scrutiny this season as the team has struggled to maintain leads and concede late goals.
Röhl’s comments underline the internal tensions that can emerge when expectations are high and results slip, and they echo growing fan frustration, visible both inside Ibrox and online, with inconsistent defending and leadership from experienced players.
Fans React Wildly on Social Media
Following the draw, reaction from Rangers supporters was fierce. Many echoed the manager’s line of thinking, criticising the team’s defensive frailties and singling out Souttar as emblematic of their second-half collapse.
One fan wrote on social media, “We made Souttar our captain. What did we expect? He’s been shambolic.” Another added, “Totally collapsed in the second half. Defence nowhere near good enough.”
Other supporters defended the Scotland international and questioned the timing of such criticism. “Röhl has to take some responsibility too. Tactics went stale in the second half,” one commenter argued.
Röhl’s Rangers side looked commanding in the first half at Ibrox, and before Celtic’s comeback, many pundits were tipping them to take control of the Scottish Premiership title race. But the draw has reignited debate over Rangers’ ability to close out games.
In his more measured official interviews with media outlets, Röhl acknowledged the disappointment of dropping two points after leading 2 0 at half-time, saying it was about momentum and that his side needs to perform at a high level for the full 90 minutes.
But the fiery comments about Souttar underline the pressures on the manager and highlight a potential fracture within the squad. How the defender responds to this criticism could shape Rangers’ season in the coming weeks.
Celtic’s Comeback and Wider Implications
From Celtic’s perspective, the comeback will be a boost. Manager Martin O’Neill’s side showed resilience after falling behind, with Tierney and Hatate inspiring the second-half revival. Their late goal, awarded after a VAR review and multiple saves from Butland, sparked scenes of jubilation among the travelling support.
The result leaves Celtic still chasing Rangers and Hearts in the league but with renewed belief. Meanwhile, Hearts sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, six points clear of Rangers with fewer games played, a scenario that would have seemed unlikely before the winter months.
If Röhl’s remarks about Souttar reflect his genuine stance, they will raise questions about the defender’s future at the club. It is rare for a manager at this level to openly declare a senior player does not deserve the shirt, and such a statement could either fracture or galvanise the squad.
For now, Rangers must regroup quickly ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures in both league and cup competitions. How Röhl manages this perceived rift and whether Souttar responds to the criticism will be a key subplot as the season hurtles towards its climax.
