Danny Rohl has been sent a clear ultimatum at Rangers ahead of the new season, and a familiar name is waiting in the wings if he fails to deliver.
Andrew Cavenagh’s decision to retain Rohl as Rangers head coach this summer has been one of the most debated calls of the close season, with serious questions lingering about whether the German tactician can arrest the catastrophic collapse that defined the final stretch of last campaign.
The backing from the chairman has bought Rohl time, but it has not bought him unconditional support, and the sense is growing that a poor start to the new season could trigger a swift change of direction at Ibrox.
With Derek McInnes having been consistently linked with the Rangers job, the conversation about alternatives has never truly gone away, and one of Scottish football’s most experienced broadcasters has now put that reality into sharp focus.
How long will Danny Rohl be at Rangers?
Andrew Cavenagh has confirmed he will not be sacked ahead of the new season…
Jim Delahunt issues Rohl warning as McInnes claim emerges
Jim Delahunt has outlined a scenario that will make uncomfortable reading for Rohl, and for those at Ibrox who have publicly committed to his leadership going into next season.
Delahunt questioned whether McInnes, despite reportedly turning down Rangers in the past, would become the number one target for the Gers if Rohl stumbled out of the blocks next season.
His assessment was measured but pointed, suggesting that results early in the campaign could rapidly reshape the managerial picture in Govan.
Speaking to Off the Underside, he said: “Derek McInnes, I wonder if Rangers have a bad start, if suddenly he’d become the number one at Ibrox despite the fact that he may have turned them down in the past.
“So we shall see what happens there. That would be a test of both McInnes‘ resolve and Hearts‘ resolve.”
The mention of Hearts’ resolve is significant. McInnes delivered an outstanding season at Tynecastle, taking his side to within touching distance of the title, and any move to Ibrox would require the Jambos to lose their most important asset for the second time this summer, following Lawrence Shankland’s departure.
Would Rangers have won the league if they signed Lawrence Shankland instead of Youssef Chermiti?
What it means for Rangers
For Rohl, the message could hardly be clearer. Cavenagh has backed him, but the patience of the fanbase, the media, and potentially the board themselves is not unlimited.
A slow start next season will not be tolerated in the way last season’s collapse was.
The ultimatum has been delivered – not from the boardroom, but from the court of public opinion, and in football, that can just be as powerful.
