The concern was that Rangers may have derailed Sturm Graz’s Austrian Bundesliga title bid when Tochi Chukwuani moved to Ibrox for a fee of £4 million during the January transfer window.
Instead, it is Rangers’ own charge which is faltering as Sturm Graz’s gathers pace.
Questions are being asked of Danny Rohl following a run of one win in five games. In stark contrast, Chukwuani’s old employers have maintained their lead at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga table, much to the relief of head coach Fabio Ingolitsch.
Jurgen Saumel departed in December, with Ingolitsch taking his place ahead of the title run-in.
And, speaking to 90Minuten, he admits that he did not plan or expect to lose Chukwuani just days into the job.
Sturm Graz bounce back after Rangers snatch Tochi Chukwuani
“When I took the job, I knew we wanted to initiate a major transformation and would have to change a lot of things. That [Chukwuani and a few key exits] would happen so quickly and with such intensity wasn’t planned, though,” Ingolitsch says.
“But I fully embraced it. At my various clubs, I’ve shown that I can develop a team and improve players. That was certainly a key reason why I got the job and why I feel suited for it.”
Ryan Fosso arrived from Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands to fill a Chukwuani-shaped hole in the midfield. Fosso has helped Sturm Graz pick up 10 points from a possible 15 since then. While not quite a perfect start, a promising beginning under their new coach means Sturm remain a point clear of Red Bull Salzburg and LASK Linz in top spot.
“It was important to have clarity at the end of the transfer window so we could realign ourselves for the long term,” Ingolitsch adds, the uncertainty surrounding Chukwuani and co something a title-chasing side are better off without.
“My coaching team and I are currently navigating this balancing act; playing successful football in the short term while also building something sustainable.”
Chukwuani benching vs Celtic earns Danny Rohl more doubters
If Rohl is on a tightrope himself, he is quickly losing balance. A victory away to a St Mirren side who lost talismanic manager Stephen Robinson is a must, not only for Rangers’ title challenges but also for Rohl’s job security.
Connor Barron faces a race against time after a recent injury, while Rohl confirmed at his press conference that Mohamed Diomande is unavailable.
Chukwuani is likely to start a fifth successive Scottish Premiership match, then, following his shock omission from the starting XI for last week’s cup defeat by Celtic at Ibrox.
“I think serious questions will be asked of Danny Rohl as to how they didn’t manage to beat Celtic, given the possession and dominance they had,” former Gers striker Rory Loy said on the BBC’s Scottish Football podcast.
“Tochi Chukwuani should have started the game. When he came on, I thought he was Rangers’ best player in terms of getting on the ball and actually calming things down.
“At this moment in time, no, I don’t think Rohl’s under pressure for his job or anything like that, but that can change quickly.”
