Danny Rohl has spoken to the media after the win over Kilmarnock. Here is every word of his post-match press conference.
Read more:
- Tactical tweaks, Rohl's big calls and Chermiti opens account as Rangers beat Killie
- 'You cannot have just one way to play' - Rohl on Rangers Plan B and Martin comparison
Can you talk us through your thoughts on the game?
I must say I really enjoyed our performance. It was not everything perfect but it was a good step forward. First win is always important for the group to create the confidence. Today I saw much more good things. We looked a little bit back on Thursday and it was a big disappointment, not just from the tactical part but how we played with intensity. Today it was much better. It is a small step in our journey, we know where we want to go. It helps to lift the confidence of the group and for me it was important to see a team on the pitch who was working hard, ready to go. I saw some good individual steps forward.
Why did you make tactical changes today?
First of all you have to realise that I am not a coach who puts the shape over everything. For me it is about how we play, this is important, and the shape is something that is just a tool to have good control in the game. We knew the opponent would be building up very direct with a lot of long balls. We knew the opponent is looking to build up sometimes with three and I wanted to make it easy for my players. We had a good structure in ball possession with three No.10s and one No.6 to speed up the game, attack the last line. We wanted to have deep runs in behind. We were going better and better in the first half and had some good moments. In the second half, I think after 70 minutes, there was one good example where we really played through the centre with our situations very quick. This should be our goal here. I want to see a team with smart, short passes, forward not backwards. Sometimes, of course, we have to prepare but as soon as possible this is how we should attack the last line.
What did you say to the team at half-time?
At half-time we spoke about which spaces we wanted to attack. I felt even in the first half that we controlled the game. And then in the second half I think there was just one situation in our own box, and all the other situations were in the opponent's half, and that was fantastic to see. But of course you cannot do one step less in 90 minutes. For me, a good example was the goal for 4-1, even if it was disallowed. We lost the ball and the second team-mate was straight behind and went into the counter-pressing. I think if you feel this on the pitch, that always your team-mates start to support each other, to help each other, then you are much, much braver to go in duels. This should be our journey and our goal as well.
What did the reaction from the fans mean to you?
A big, big thank you to the supporters, but as I said to my players after the game, they should also really enjoy this moment today. The last weeks and months have not always been easy but this is our goal: we want to win games, we want to play attractive football, and we want to do it together with our fans. If you bring everyone closer and closer and we are really strong together, then I think we can really be successful in the future here. Today was a small step, not more, because the journey is still long. All in all today I'm happy. I know we still have to improve a lot of things, it's not more than three points, I think you have to win this game if you want to do more: we did, and now we go forward. On Monday, we’ll watch the game back, we’ll show them what was good and what we have to improve, and then I want to see again the next step on Wednesday.
What could next week – with matches against Hibernian and Celtic – do for you and this team?
I said before the game to my players that this is the good thing in football: it's a short memory. Every win goes very straight in one direction, and I think this is what you have to understand. If you are ill you cannot change it so quickly sometimes, you have to work on this, but in football with one win, with one week, you can turn a lot of things in the right direction. I think this should be our mindset, step by step. Today was a first step and on Wednesday we have to take the next step.
What are your thoughts on Chermiti’s performance and goal?
I think generally I must say it was a good outcome from the team. We put Danilo on from the start and he scored, after not playing so much in the past. After 70 minutes it was clear we wanted to bring the next striker on. And this was for him [Chermiti] as well a good step, a small step, not more. I think this is also important: we saw today what is possible, he still has to improve some things, but for me it's important to improve the self-confidence of the players. I think there were a lot more players with confidence, and from minute to minute you saw players who wanted to have the ball, there were also some good moments where players started to work against the ball, not just think ‘I want to have nice football’.. If you do this then you feel really you are in the game, and this is what I liked.
How difficult is it having limited time on the training pitch?
In general it's a big challenge, but I'm not looking for excuses. I think we have to bring a lot of content straight into it, to see more things go in the right direction, but even in this part, I think when I count some situations where we didn’t go in the duels, there are still things to improve. Today I will be not too critical with my team, we should just enjoy 3-1 at home: it was a good step, not more. Sometimes at half-time you have a feeling for some players, what could be changed, how you can change games. I'm a coach who makes really strong and quick decisions. If I see we can change things, I'm not going to wait too long. Hopefully I don’t have to do it too early or too often, but it could be also that at half-time I make four changes if it's necessary.
Pleased to see Butland recover from his mistake?
I think Jack is not just a great goalkeeper, he is also a leader in the group, he is one of the leaders in the changing room, who is talking and who is helping. I think tomorrow he will think about his goal and then he will go forward. The process from Thursday to today was really good to see: we were very clear on Friday, we spoke very openly, and very direct in our group, and it was fantastic to see, and today was a good outcome. I enjoyed it, not more, and now our focus is on the next game.
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