Rangers sent out a title warning to everyone that they are hitting form at exactly the right time in Falkirk yesterday.
Just like every German team that, traditionally in the big tournaments, peak when it matters most. Our German head coach seems to have Rangers rampaging right at this crucial moment. That is exactly what is encouraging me.
Rangers are exciting. They have the drive, they have individuals providing top performances, and more importantly, they have the bit between their teeth.
Youssef Chermiti scored two goals to take his season tally to 11 (Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock)
Are Rangers infallible? No, they absolutely are not. The goals they are conceding are worrying, but going forward, they are creating chances and, more importantly, taking them. Fourteen goals in three games is certainly impressive; six goals conceded is, however, slightly worrying. It's certainly not boring.
Impressively, a lot of players are hitting form - Nico Raskin, Mikey Moore, Djeidi Gassama, Thelo Aasgaard, Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski. And the squad is deep. It was nice, for example, to see Oliver Antman come off the bench and get an assist during the weekend's 6-3 win. We didn't even see Andreas Skov Olsen or Nedim Bajrami, while Tuur Rommens and Ryan Naderi are injured.
Manny Fernandez and Nasser Djiga have been solid and were arguably more troubled at Falkirk by the pitch and the conditions. The pitch was sticky and the wind was against Rohl's side during the first 45 minutes. Being at the game, the conditions had an impact on either half of football.
Rangers are out-scoring and out-creating their rivals at the moment, but crucially, I believe Rangers are the ones playing with a vibrancy that is exciting and energetic at an absolutely key time. Whilst I don't watch my rivals, it is clear from reports that their play is becoming sluggish at times - though in fairness, when you are winning, that's really all that matters. But as the split arrives, it is now best versus best, and we will see how that form holds up.
Rangers ran away with the game in the second half (Image: StatsBomb)
Whilst I concentrate on Rangers, the key moment on Sunday came minutes before half-time, when Rohl's side were struggling. That Tochi Chukwuani goal changed everything - the wind in Rangers' favour, coupled with a newfound drive and enthusiasm, was absolutely key.
Rangers were driven on from that point by goalscorer Chukwuani and then Raskin. It was those midfield dynamos who won Rangers the game with their energy. Raskin grabbed the game, scoring in a more advanced role, aided and abetted by Tochi, and brought the energy. He was excellent on the day.
But it was the forward line who also stepped up - creating and scoring - and we will absolutely need that to win this league title. The much-maligned Youssef Chermiti, guilty of not playing a simple ten-yard pass in the first half, again showed the resilience to pop up with two vital finishes. Likewise, the again-maligned Bojan Miovski fires in another two goals in the run-in, tapping into his inner Andrius Velicka.
Sure, we had moments of concern, but that does not diminish this Rangers side, who have nine cup finals according to Rohl and have won the first four of them.
The mentality, questioned so often, seems to be in overdrive, and with five games to go, this team is perfectly placed to deliver a successful end to the season that everyone seems to be craving.
After an abject opening, Rangers scored five goals in the second half on Sunday (Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock)
That, most importantly, seems to include this Rangers team, who are posting impressive stats across the board.
They've scored 14 goals in their last three games and this was one of only five times in which their second-highest xG in a game (3.18) of the season, second only to last week's efforts against Dundee United (3.48).
It's one game at a time and three points at a time - but Rohl's mentality monsters must continue to play with the bit between their teeth that they are currently displaying.
These are exciting times. We are five games away from glory, and we need to start believing that.
The players are playing like they believe a league title is right within reach. Maybe that is the moment for us to believe too.
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