Danny Röhl Left ‘Stunned’ by One Thing in His First Rangers Session – A Massive Concern for Fans

Danny Röhl Left ‘Stunned’ by One Thing in His First Rangers Session – A Massive Concern for Fans

In the sweltering tension of Ibrox’s training pitches, Danny Röhl stepped into the unknown on a crisp October morning, marking his inaugural session as Rangers’ head coach. The 35-year-old German tactician, fresh from salvaging Sheffield Wednesday from Championship relegation and stints with Bayern Munich and the German national team, arrived amid a storm of skepticism.

Sacked predecessor Russell Martin’s tenure had been a disaster: a humiliating 6-0 thrashing in Bruges, the club’s worst-ever league start, and a possession-heavy style that left fans yawning and protesting. Röhl’s appointment, after a protracted boardroom farce that saw rejections from Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat, was meant to ignite hope. Instead, one revelation from that first whistle left the new boss “stunned” – and handed Rangers supporters a fresh nightmare.

It wasn’t the rusty fitness levels of a squad adrift in four competitions, nor the echo of empty stands from boycotted games. No, Röhl was floored by the squad’s glaring lack of fitness. “I was stunned by the physical condition,” he admitted post-session, his voice laced with a mix of disbelief and determination. “We trained with intensity today, and I see so much potential, but the players are not where they need to be. It’s like starting from scratch.” Sources close to the club whispered of labored sprints, players doubled over after basic drills, and a collective gasp that rippled through the coaching staff. Röhl, known for his high-pressing, energetic blueprint that dragged Wednesday to safety, had envisioned injecting vitality immediately. Instead, he found a group softened by Martin’s methodical, slow-burn approach – one that prioritized build-up over burn.

For Rangers fans, already on a knife-edge, this is a massive red flag. The Light Blues faithful, renowned for their fervor – nearly 50,000 packing Ibrox weekly, demanding titles to counter Celtic’s 12-in-13 dominance – have little patience left. Protests have targeted chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, with accusations of nepotism (Thelwell’s son Robbie as head of recruitment) fueling the fire. Martin’s era amplified grievances: a style derided as “snail-paced,” leading to fan walkouts and chants of “sack the board.” Now, Röhl’s fitness bombshell evokes ghosts of past flops – managers like Gio van Bronckhorst, undone by a squad unable to match the Old Firm’s relentless rhythm. With a Europa League clash against Brann looming Thursday, and domestic derbies on the horizon, any delay in sharpening this blunt blade could spell catastrophe.

Röhl, ever the pragmatist, isn’t panicking. “First, we win games,” he stressed in his press debut, brushing off third-choice whispers. “Attractive football follows results. The fans want entertainment, but they crave victories more.” He’s already bolstering his backroom: countryman Sascha Lense joins as assistant, while goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo stays, credited for Jack Butland’s resurgence. Sessions will ramp up – double days, data-driven conditioning, Röhl’s hallmark “25/8” work ethic.

Yet, the concern lingers: can this squad, riddled with summer signings ill-suited to Scottish intensity, transform before the winter window? Fans, scarred by false dawns, murmur online: “Another board puppet?” or “Fitness fiasco – Celtic’s laughing.”

Röhl’s stunned reaction underscores a deeper malaise: Rangers’ recruitment roulette has left a talented but unfit core. Tavernier, Goldson, and co. boast skill, but without stamina, they’re sitting ducks. If Röhl harnesses that “liveliness” he glimpsed, redemption awaits. Fail, and the stunned silence of Ibrox could turn to roars of rage. For now, Gers supporters hold their breath – the clock’s ticking, and fitness isn’t just a concern; it’s the fuse to the powder keg.