WE HAVE TO ROHL WITH PUNCHES

Danny fully intends to get his message across so Gers can become contenders

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

DANNY ROHL thought he would be walking out this weekend to see Ibrox ablaze with energy and belief.

That was until Hearts doused Rangers' fire at Tynecastle.

Gers had travelled east three days ago hoping to reignite a title challenge that long ago appeared to have been trampled into the ashes by the disastrous start made under Russell Martin.

It took Rohl's appointment in October for Rangers to finally produced a spark, with the gaffer kicking off his own reign with an eight-game unbeaten league run.

Another victory in Gorgie would have turned the heat up on Derek McInnes' table-topping Jambos, closing the Light Blues' deficit to six points with a game in hand.

But those hopes flickered out in Edinburgh as high-octane Hearts overpowered powderpuff Gers.

It's a win that has lit a match in the capital, turning what was cautious optimism into outright belief McInnes' men can go all the way.

As for Gers, well it's now Rohl's job to fan the flames of confidence that are in danger of dying out.

But the 36-year-old is adamant his team's chances are not yet extinguished despite falling 12 points adrift of the leaders.

He said: "In general, the feeling before the game was really strong from our side.

"I felt all the players really believed we are back. Now we have to understand where we are.