Keown discusses potential reasons for Rohl’s imminent sacking at Rangers, with ‘worrying’ comments making things worse.

Danny Rohl may be in danger of losing his position as Rangers manager if upcoming results fail to go in his favour, according to journalist Gary Keown, who has highlighted the unforgiving nature of football at the highest level.

With the 2025–26 Scottish Premiership title race reaching a dramatic conclusion, Rangers remain locked in a three-way battle alongside Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian FC. However, their position is precarious, and the next two fixtures could prove decisive for both their season and their manager’s future.

Rangers face Hearts in a crucial match that could determine whether they remain in contention. A defeat in that fixture would leave them trailing by seven points, effectively ending their hopes of lifting the title. Even if they manage to secure a victory, they must then travel to face Celtic in another high-stakes encounter, making it a defining six-day stretch for Rohl and his team.

Pressure builds ahead of decisive matches

The pressure surrounding these fixtures has led to speculation about Rohl’s job security. Keown has suggested that the ruthless nature of football could prompt Rangers’ hierarchy to consider a managerial change if the team falls short in their pursuit of the title.

Writing about the situation, Keown emphasised that results ultimately dictate outcomes in the sport, describing football as an environment where there is little room for sentiment. In his view, failure to deliver in such critical matches could have immediate consequences.

He argued that if Rangers were to lose to Hearts and fall significantly behind with only a handful of games remaining, or if they were then to suffer defeat at Parkhead, it could spell the end of Rohl’s tenure. According to Keown, such outcomes would make it difficult for the club to justify continuing under the current leadership.

Context of Rohl’s appointment

Despite the mounting pressure, it is widely acknowledged that Rohl inherited a challenging situation when he took charge in October. The club had endured a difficult period under former manager Russell Martin, leaving the team struggling for form and direction.

Since his arrival, Rohl has overseen a significant improvement. In 36 matches as manager, he has recorded 21 wins, eight draws, and seven defeats, resulting in a win percentage of just over 58 percent. This run included a lengthy unbeaten spell that propelled Rangers back into the title race after they had previously appeared out of contention.

However, inconsistency in recent performances has undermined that progress. Following substantial investment in new players during the winter transfer window, expectations grew that Rangers could push on and secure top spot. Instead, results have faltered at a crucial stage of the season.

A particularly damaging setback came in the form of a 3-2 home defeat to Motherwell FC, which significantly dented their chances of finishing first. As a result, Rangers now likely need maximum points from their remaining key fixtures to keep their hopes alive.

Criticism of Rohl’s public comments

In addition to concerns about results, Keown has also questioned some of Rohl’s recent comments regarding the state of the club when he took over. The journalist described these remarks as “worrying,” suggesting that the manager has been overly focused on highlighting the difficulties he inherited.

According to Keown, repeatedly referencing the problems that existed before his arrival may not reflect well, particularly at a time when the team’s performances are under scrutiny. While acknowledging the challenges Rohl faced, he implied that continued emphasis on those issues could be counterproductive.

Although this criticism may be viewed as harsh by some, it reflects the heightened expectations at a club of Rangers’ stature, where finishing anywhere other than first is often seen as a disappointment.

High stakes tied to title outcome

The importance of the title race extends beyond sporting success, with significant financial implications also at stake. It has been noted that winning the league would grant Rangers automatic entry into the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, based on the current coefficient rankings.

Participation in that stage of the competition is estimated to be worth around £40 million in immediate revenue. Such a financial boost would provide the club with valuable resources to strengthen the squad and build for the future.

Securing the title would therefore not only represent a major achievement on the pitch but also create opportunities for sustained success off it. It could mark the beginning of a new era of competitiveness, allowing Rangers to establish themselves more firmly at the top.

Fine margins define the situation

For Rohl, the situation highlights just how narrow the margins are in football. Despite the progress made since his appointment and the improvement in results over much of the season, everything now hinges on a small number of matches.

The coming fixtures against Hearts and Celtic will likely determine both the outcome of the title race and the perception of Rohl’s tenure. Success could cement his position and lay the foundation for future achievements, while failure could lead to swift changes.

Ultimately, the uncertainty surrounding his future underscores the volatile nature of the sport. Even talented managers can find themselves under intense pressure when results do not align with expectations, and Rohl is no exception as Rangers approach a defining moment in their campaign.

Willie Collum provides reasons for allowing the disputed Rangers goal to stand

Willie Collum has provided a detailed explanation regarding the controversial goal scored by Rangers in their match against Falkirk FC, clarifying why the decision to allow it to stand was upheld despite protests from the opposition.

The incident occurred late in the first half, when Tochi Chukwuani found the net in the 42nd minute. Falkirk players immediately questioned the validity of the goal, arguing that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up before it was delivered back into the box. Their appeals sparked debate both on the pitch and after the match, with many seeking clarity on how the decision was reached.

Collum, who serves as the head of referees at the Scottish Football Association, addressed the situation and emphasized that there was no clear evidence available to overturn the original on-field call. According to him, the decision made by the assistant referee at the time of the incident was crucial and ultimately decisive.

Assistant referee’s positioning and call prove decisive

In his explanation, Collum highlighted the importance of the assistant referee’s positioning during the play. The official was stationed close to the goal line and had a clear, unobstructed view of the moment in question. From that vantage point, the assistant referee determined that the ball had remained in play and signaled for the game to continue.

Collum stressed that this initial judgment carried significant weight, particularly given the absence of conclusive evidence to contradict it. He noted that the assistant referee was confident in the call and communicated that clearly to the referee on the field.

Quoting the explanation given during the VAR review, Collum stated that the assistant referee was “very clear” in instructing play to continue. He reiterated that the official’s proximity to the action and strong line of sight made the decision reliable under the circumstances.

VAR unable to provide conclusive evidence

The role of VAR also came under scrutiny following the incident. However, Collum explained that the technology did not offer any definitive proof to suggest that the ball had gone out of play. Without clear visual confirmation, VAR is not permitted to overturn an on-field decision.

Andrew Dallas, who was serving as the VAR official for the match, communicated directly with referee Don Robertson during the review process. Dallas informed the referee that none of the available camera angles could conclusively determine whether the ball had crossed the line.

One of the primary issues was that the goal-line camera lost track of the ball as it rose too high, meaning it could not capture the critical moment. Meanwhile, the wider 18-yard camera angle also failed to provide a clear view, leaving officials without the evidence required to intervene.

Dallas made it clear in his communication that there was no footage capable of proving the ball was out of play. This lack of conclusive evidence meant that VAR had no grounds to recommend overturning the original decision made by the on-field officials.

On-field decision ultimately upheld

Given the circumstances, Collum explained that the correct protocol was followed. When VAR cannot identify a “clear and obvious” error, the original decision must stand. In this case, the assistant referee had judged the ball to be in play, and there was nothing available to definitively prove otherwise.

Collum acknowledged that the situation was extremely difficult to judge, even when reviewing the footage after the fact. He went as far as to describe it as “impossible” to determine conclusively whether the ball had crossed the line, reinforcing the idea that the officials had acted appropriately based on the information available.

He concluded that the on-field call was correctly supported and that the goal was rightly awarded in accordance with the rules and VAR protocol. While the decision remained controversial among supporters and players, Collum’s explanation underlined that the officials had followed the correct procedures.

Goal sparks dramatic turnaround in match

Chukwuani’s goal proved to be a turning point in the game. At the time it was scored, Rangers were in a challenging position, but the goal shifted the momentum significantly. It provided the catalyst for a remarkable comeback performance.

Under the guidance of manager Danny Rohl, Rangers went on to produce an impressive attacking display. They ultimately secured a 6-3 victory over Falkirk, turning what had been a contentious moment into the foundation for a dominant result.

The match itself became memorable not only for the high number of goals but also for the debate surrounding the key decision. While Falkirk were left frustrated by the outcome of the incident, Rangers capitalized fully on the opportunity, demonstrating resilience and attacking quality in the remainder of the game.

Ongoing debate highlights challenges of officiating

The incident serves as another example of the challenges faced by referees and VAR officials in modern football. Even with advanced technology, there are moments where definitive answers remain elusive. In such cases, the reliance on the judgment of on-field officials becomes paramount.

Collum’s explanation sheds light on the decision-making process and the limitations of VAR, particularly when camera angles fail to capture crucial moments clearly. It also reinforces the principle that decisions cannot be overturned without solid evidence.

While debates over controversial calls are unlikely to disappear, this case illustrates how officials are guided by established protocols designed to ensure fairness and consistency. In this instance, despite the uncertainty surrounding the ball’s position, the decision to allow the goal was deemed correct within those guidelines.