Rangers boss Danny Rohl says his team have both the ‘mentality’ and the ‘quality’ required to come out on top in the Premiership title race.
Rohl’s side will take on Dundee United at Ibrox this afternoon knowing that a victory would send the club top of the league for the first time in just over two years.
Three points would see Rangers leapfrog leaders Hearts on goal difference, albeit the Tynecastle side could reclaim top spot when they travel to face Livingston tomorrow.
As the three-way title fight now enters the home straight following the international break, Celtic also travel to face Dundee at Dens Park tomorrow afternoon.
But, even if his team strike a blow this afternoon and go top of the table, Rohl is determined that Rangers will continue to show the mindset of hunters.
‘We know at the end the importance is after the last match-day to be top,’ he said. ‘It is nice to have this now, but even if we would be top, I would still speak from (the position of) we are the hunters.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl believes his squad has the necessary qualities to win the title
‘We want to hunt wins. We want to hunt our opponent. And with this mindset, we should go in the next seven games.
‘I’m happy. I feel really good because I see my group at the moment. I also see the development. I think we are mentally strong.
‘We took the win away against St Mirren, the pressure was on after two draws (against Livingston and Celtic), but we came back and we made a very good performance.
‘A nice performance against Aberdeen, we used the chance and it gives me a lot of belief. There is no doubt my group is strong, convinced, and we have the quality to win the league.
‘Yeah, in general we are looking forward to this game. We want to take the next ‘cup’ win tomorrow. We said this many times.
‘I expect after the international break that it is normal that always in the first game we need a little bit of time. It’s also the reason why I will trust some players that were here because they trained the last two weeks together.
‘It is a good feeling tomorrow, but the best feeling should be after the game – and we win the game and we are top.
‘We have to work hard. I think we played Dundee United twice this season and we couldn’t win against them. This is a new challenge. They did well against Celtic (a 2-0 win), we are prepared for this.
‘We know what we face and it will be a challenge. They have a small chance to make the top six and both teams want to win and we need a good performance.’
All three title rivals now have seven games left to play. It is now at the stage of the season where any slip-ups could be pivotal in the final outcome.
Rangers’ 4-1 win over Aberdeen last time out has kept the pressure on league leaders Hearts
Rangers face Dundee United and Falkirk in their final two games before the split, with Rohl predicting a thrilling end to the season.
‘I expect a really exciting split,’ said the German. ‘You never know, it could be after two matchdays you are six points ahead, because the picture is like this. Or you have stolen three points from behind. You never know what happens.
‘Maybe there are some turns, maybe not. I think this is exciting for everyone. Especially with three teams, and three teams at the moment are very close to each other.
‘For a neutral supporter, a football fan, this is maybe one of the exciting title races in Europe at the moment.
‘As a manager, you look forward, because you know with your group you can win this title. This is also a great feeling. And I’m looking forward to this.
‘But you have to do it first two more games. Two more wins, and then you have a good position.’
Rohl also revealed an unnamed player will miss the United match with an injury which could also keep him out of the Falkirk game the following week.
Of the player in question, Rohl, who will have Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen available again after injury, said: ‘We have some small issues and one bigger issue.
‘One player is going to be out tomorrow. I won’t speak today about who it is.
‘It is a bit of a shame. It happened during training. Unfortunately not out just one game, it will be a little bit longer.
‘Hopefully he comes back before the split but it looks more like it could be during the split.’
