Qudus Salihu> The Old Firm Premier Sports Cup semi-final delivered a chaotic, controversial encounter that saw Celtic snatch victory in extra time after Rangers battled bravely with only ten men following a red card. While the defeat was painful, the reaction from Rangers manager Danny Rohl in the aftermath was widely lauded by fans, proving to be a surprising highlight of the weekend.
In the tense atmosphere following the final whistle at Hampden, where a late penalty had clawed Rangers back into the fight before extra-time heartbreak, Rohl bypassed the usual post-derby recriminations. Instead of blaming officials or dwelling on the drama, his televised interviews were characterized by a remarkable sense of calm and focus.
Supporters who tuned in for the post-match analysis seemed to appreciate Rohl’s grounded approach. He reportedly spoke about the spirit and effort shown by his players against adversity, emphasizing the necessary development of resilience—not just focusing on “nice football.” Furthermore, he maintained a clear external focus, stating that external comments, such as those from Celtic’s interim manager Martin O’Neill claiming Rangers were “no threat,” were irrelevant to his core task.
This refusal to be drawn into the chaos, combined with his visible effort to connect the team back with the supporters after the final whistle, created an impression of a manager in complete control, despite the result. Many fans felt his measured, no-nonsense delivery in front of the cameras was exactly the tone required, turning a tough loss into a moment that solidified belief in his long-term project. Rohl’s composed interview performance was clearly the standout takeaway for the blue half of Glasgow, overshadowing the on-pitch drama.
Qudus Salihu
Nafisa
