Rangers title bid sparks honest confession from Ibrox insider as Danny Rohl shifts 'momentum'

The Light Blues are three points off the summit despite a lacklustre start to the Premiership campaign

Stevie Smith admits he didn't envisage a Rangers title challenge when he took interim charge before Danny Rohl’s arrival.

The Ibrox coach, who is now on the German’s first-team staff, was thrown in at the deep end in October after Russell Martin’s sacking. With Rangers languishing in the bottom half of the Premiership table following a dismal start to the campaign - Smith was made gaffer for a game against Dundee United.

The team dropped more points that day in a 2-2 draw to fall even further behind runaway leaders Hearts. At that stage, they were still looking for a first home win of the season, were SIXTH in the league and 13 points off the Tynecastle side.

Rohl was appointed and since then Rangers have closed the gap at the top. After Wednesday night’s thumping 5-1 win over Kilmarnock, they’re now just three off the Jambos.

Smith always believed Gers’ fortunes could change quickly. But he’s honest enough to say a bid for the title looked highly unlikely before Rohl took over.

Ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against Queen’s Park, Smith said: “When I sat here back in October, I did say that things can change quickly. But if somebody had said we could put ourselves in a position where we’re now three points behind?

“I probably would have said no. I did believe in this group and felt if momentum started to change, things could change quickly. And that’s what’s happened.”

Rangers’ new boys impressed against Killie, with Andreas Skov Olsen grabbing his first goal for the club and Belgian ace Tuur Rommens coming on for his debut.

Rommens in particular earned rave reviews from supporters for his cameo display.

And as a former left-back himself, Smith appreciates the 22-year-old’s quality.

He said: “It’s early days for him but in terms of a debut, that was probably as good as it gets.

“What I will say is that Jayden Meghoma has also been excellent.

“He’s only 19 years of age and has played a lot of football - he’s been really consistent.

“The manager mentioned on deadline day that we now have competition for every position and that’s exactly what you want.”

Rangers were missing players against Kilmarnock, with Emmanuel Fernandez and Youssef Chermiti both picking up knocks in Sunday’s draw with Hibs.

Dujon Sterling was also left out with his game-time being managed after injury.

Smith hopes to have them back for Sunday’s cup clash with the Spiders - or next Wednesday night’s mouth-watering Premiership match against Motherwell at Fir Park.

The Gers coach also revealed that long-term absentee Derek Cornelius is back training - even if the on-loan Marseille defender isn’t ready for a comeback just yet.

Smith said: “I think they'll (Sterling, Fernandez and Chermiti) be assessed over the next 48 hours.

“I would hope that they're all short-term but whether that means they’re back for Sunday, we'll still need to wait for the medical team.

“Derek is back on pitch. He's doing some work with the rehab team and I'd expect him to join in with the group soon. But he's still a little bit away.”

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