Gerrard put Rangers back where many of us thought the club belonged. I was one of those who wanted him back last summer, but that doesn’t erase what he actually achieved first time around. He arrived into chaos, raised standards and left the club stronger than he found it.

What he brought back

To be fair, his work wasn’t only about trophies. It was about recognition, belief and being competitive on a bigger stage. We went from drifting domestically and scraping in Europe to turning up against decent sides and getting results that reminded everyone who we are. That league win — stopping Celtic’s run and doing it in convincing fashion — reset belief across the whole club.

Has that drifted since?

Yes, some of that momentum has faded. Gio kept much of the European confidence going, but lately we've not looked the same side that grew under Gerrard. This season in particular has felt like a step back in Europe and domestically. You don’t need a stats lecture to see the mood change; it’s about performances, shape and the tempo of games. That matters more than headlines.

Appointments are always a gamble

People ask whether bringing Gerrard back would have fixed everything. Nobody knows. Same goes for DM, the Motherwell boss, or Röhl. Every choice comes with risk. Fans naturally look for proven fixes, and Gerrard’s track record made him an attractive option. Ultimately the club has to pick who fits their plan and hope the move pays off.

So where does that leave us? Credit where it’s due — Gerrard rebuilt something important at Rangers and that can’t be taken away. But we also need measured judgement now. Röhl hasn’t had his chance yet. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt, see how pre-season shapes up, and judge the appointment on the pitch next season rather than on what might have been.

Written by Thestigno1: 3 April 2026

Tags: spfl tactics match-review europe injury