Skov Olsen has ability, no doubt. The point I'm making is different: whether he can handle the scrutiny and bounce back is the bigger question. Fans are quick to judge and managers are quick to react, but confidence can make or break a player, especially at a club like ours.
Confidence shapes how a player acts on the pitch
To be fair, confidence isn't a vague idea. When a player believes in themselves they take more risks, they press harder and they run that extra yard. You can see the difference in training and matches. Rohl's comments about encouraging Skov Olsen to take more risks suggest that's exactly what the manager thinks — it's not just about tactics, it's about mindset.
Different players handle pressure in different ways
Fernandez is mentioned as the polar opposite: someone clearly riding a wave of belief and discipline. That's the dream scenario for any manager. But history shows some players wilt under pressure. Skov Olsen having been dropped by Wolfsburg, sent out on loan and dropped out of the Danish squad — those are the kind of blows that unsettle some lads and toughen others up. I don't want to be doom-mongering, but mental resilience is as important as fitness here.
Where that leaves us at Ibrox
I'm not absolving Skov Olsen of responsibility or saying he's beyond criticism. What I am saying is we've been guilty of writing players off too quickly this season. If he can recover his confidence and sharpness, fine. If not, we need to accept that not every player has the stomach for the noise at Rangers. Ultimately the hard part of management is getting the psychology right; coaching the shape and the pressing is the easier half.
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