Fearless! Danny Rohl says Rangers are no longer scared going into big games ahead of trip to Motherwell

Danny Rohl insists his Rangers team are no longer ‘too fearful, too respectful or too scared’ of opponents as they prepare for a crucial trip to Motherwell on Wednesday night.

The German has turned the Ibrox side’s fortunes around since taking over from Russell Martin in October.

Named Scottish Premiership Glen’s manager of the month for January after winning the maximum 12 points from four league fixtures, Rohl is delighted to see more confidence coursing through the veins of his players.

‘I feel that we have confidence, we want to show where we are, and what we can do on the pitch,’ he said.

‘In the last couple of weeks, when you go to Aberdeen (a 2-0 win), for example, this is also a tough place, we showed a big character.

‘But every game now is a challenge; you never have an easy game, especially the second half of the season, every point is important.

‘I said this after the Hibs game (0-0), even this point is important to take it.

‘We’re looking forward more now to such a game as (Motherwell). A couple of weeks ago we were maybe a little bit too respectful, too fearful, too scared for such a game; now we’re looking forward to it.

‘But it’s about performance on the pitch, I can speak a lot about where we are at the moment, but we have to deliver again and again and, if we do this, then we have a great opportunity to make the next small step on our journey.

‘My mindset is always, go for a win instead of a draw, and when you go in a game, this mindset changes everything, because then you are not fearful, or too respectful.

‘We respect all the opponents, but you know what I mean, it’s about, you are in front of another opponent, do you want to score, or you think: “Maybe not”.

‘No, I want to see a team that goes with courage on the pitch, and is always ready to score goals.’

Rangers were drawn at home against Celtic in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup which means back-to-back games against their Old Firm rivals at the start of March, with a Premiership encounter at Ibrox taking place the preceding weekend.

Rohl said: ’I don’t know how often you have as a club in one week to have such two big games. I’m looking forward to more support in the home game, because I like to play in front of our fans, and we have two great opportunities in one week, and let’s see what we can do.

‘It will be special. In all the games ahead of us; Motherwell, Hearts, we have to do a job in Livingston, and then you have these two big games. As a supporter you will enjoy when you take the right results, as a manager I will also enjoy these games, because it’s the reason why we play football.’

On his manager of the month award, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss said: ’Yeah, great, of course, but it’s all about my team, my coaches around me, and I’m honest, it is a small prize in one of the seasons where we want to have a bigger prize. Let’s see what we can do.’

Paul McGinn has been a key part of Motherwell’s defensive forcefield at Fir Park, but hopes it’s the attackers everyone is speaking about tonight.

Jens Berthel Askou’s side have not been beaten at home since a 2-1 defeat by Falkirk on October 18, with no visitng side even scoring on their home turf in the nine games since then.

The Steelmen have risen to fourth place in the Premiership, eight points behind Rangers – having played one game fewer than the Ibrox side – and five points behind Celtic.

McGinn has no intention of seeing those clean sheets end, and wants the forwards to do their bit, too, as Motherwell seek a first win over Rangers this season after a 1-1 draw and 1-0 defeat.

Asked about their impressive defensive home record, he said: ‘It’s just not as glamorous, is it? I hope come Thursday we’re still talking about the attacking players.

‘We can keep a clean sheet but they’re the ones that get us the win.

‘It (Falkirk defeat) seems so long ago now. We were in control of that game and let it slip away, so it’s one that annoys us.

‘I’m sure there’s luck involved as well but, for the most part, we are so strong and secure that teams can’t really play through us and we work really hard on that.

‘We had a few that have just gone by the post, so you do need that luck, but it’s no coincidence as well that we’re keeping it to a minimum.’