Rangers’ mentality has once again come under the spotlight — and according to former striker Kris Boyd, only trophies will bring the debate to an end.
As Rangers prepare to face Celtic F.C. in a crucial Scottish Cup quarter-final, questions about character, composure and defensive resilience continue to swirl around Ibrox. Manager Danny Rohl has attempted to deflect those concerns, insisting that judgments should be reserved until the season concludes. But recent results have only intensified scrutiny.
Boyd, a title-winner in blue, believes there is a simple solution.
Win.
Familiar Fears Resurface
The doubts are not new. They have lingered through seasons of near-misses and squandered opportunities. Rangers’ recent form has only sharpened the narrative.
After battling back from two goals down to draw with Livingston, Rohl’s side then found themselves 2-0 up against Celtic in the Old Firm clash — only to surrender their advantage in a second-half collapse.
Goals from Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate wiped out Youssef Chermiti’s stunning first-half brace, leaving supporters frustrated and concerned. The pattern felt painfully familiar: promise followed by fragility.
Boyd did not mince his words when discussing the issue.
“Mentality will always be questioned until you start winning things,” he said while promoting the weekend’s showdown. “There’s no point in being the nearly men.”
The Ibrox Standard
At Rangers, expectations are uncompromising. The club’s history demands titles, not progress reports. Pulling on the blue jersey carries weight — and patience is rarely extended for long.
Boyd pointed to Celtic’s ability over the years to grind out results even when performances dipped. That, he argues, is the hallmark of champions: finding a way to win regardless of circumstances.
“There’s been times where they’ve not been at their best,” Boyd noted. “But they’ve found a way to win games. They’ve developed that know-how.”
It is that ruthlessness Rangers have yet to consistently demonstrate under Rohl.
Defensive Vulnerability a Major Concern
Perhaps the most alarming trend has been defensive instability.
Not long ago, Rangers were praised for their solidity at the back. Clean sheets were the foundation of their momentum. Now, Boyd suggests, the team looks as though they need to score multiple goals just to secure three points.
The statistics underline the concern: three wins in their last eight matches, alongside four draws, is not the form of a championship side.
Conceding late pressure against 10-man Motherwell, requiring three goals to beat Livingston — these moments fuel the perception of vulnerability.
“You cannot defend the way Rangers have been and expect to deliver titles,” Boyd warned.
If Rohl is to shift the narrative, tightening the defensive structure must be priority number one.
Character Under Pressure
Beyond tactics, however, lies psychology.
The Old Firm draw encapsulated the issue. Two goals ahead at half-time, Rangers were in control. The opportunity to make a statement against their fiercest rivals was there.
Instead, the second half saw hesitancy, lost duels and a gradual erosion of belief. Celtic seized momentum — and Rangers struggled to respond.
Supporters, having witnessed similar scenarios before, inevitably questioned whether this squad possesses the steel required when stakes rise.
Rohl insists those assessments are premature. Yet football rarely allows postponement of judgment, especially in Glasgow.
The Weekend Litmus Test
Victory over Celtic in the Scottish Cup would not erase all concerns overnight, but it would represent a significant step.
Cup competitions often provide clarity. In knockout football, there is no room for half-measures. Either a team stands firm under pressure, or they fall.
For Rangers, lifting silverware this season may be the only definitive answer to the mentality debate.
As Boyd bluntly put it: until they win regularly again — leagues, cups, meaningful honours — the questions will remain.
What Rohl Must Do
So what must Danny Rohl address?
- Restore Defensive Discipline – Organisation, communication and concentration must improve. Titles are built on reliability at the back.
- Game Management – Protecting leads requires composure and smart decision-making, particularly in derby atmospheres.
- Mental Resilience – When momentum swings, Rangers must show the emotional maturity to steady themselves rather than unravel.
- Consistency – Championship-winning sides rarely endure prolonged winless streaks. Turning draws into victories is essential.
Only One Currency Counts
Ultimately, at Rangers, progress and promise are secondary to trophies.
Boyd’s message is clear: mentality debates are not settled through press conferences or partial improvements. They are settled in May, with medals around necks.
If Rohl’s Rangers can find the bottle to go the distance — starting with Celtic this weekend — the narrative may begin to shift.
If not, the questions will only grow louder.
At Ibrox, there is no escaping the reality: silverware is the only convincing answer.