RANGERS ON A ROHL: Ibrox boss claims he has surprised the critics as his team climb to second in Premiership and turn up the heat on leaders Hearts

Danny Rohl believes his Rangers side have taken many people by surprise after they moved up to second place in the Premiership with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

First half goals from Manny Fernandez and Nico Raskin ensured the German’s side backed up the weekend win over Celtic with another victory to finally take them above the Parkhead men in the table and just three points off leaders Hearts.

Rohl inherited a mess from Russell Martin but has now presided over ten wins and two draws in his 13 league matches in charge.

Asked to compare the current situation with the one he walked into, Rohl said: ‘I think at first it’s important to say it’s not just me personally. I have a fantastic coaching team, it’s not a one-man show, we’re doing this together with the club, with my players, with the coaches, with the staff behind the coaches.

‘We’re growing together. We are in a fantastic way, I think we surprised a lot of people since I’m here.

‘But, for me, it’s about the next game. I’m hungry, I’m ambitious, I know what it means and which effort we need until the end of the season and this is to do a lot more.’

Danny Rohl cuts a calm and collected figure as Rangers stroll to a comfortable victory

Raskin turns to celebrate with fans after heading home his goal in the first half

Rohl is keen to see more players arrive in this window to bolster the chances of what once looked like an unlikely title challenge.

Rangers are interested in Silas Andersen, a Danish youth international midfielder currently with Swedish club BK Hacken.

‘Yeah, we are in the process, we work on this,’ he said of the window. ‘The last two days after the big win, the players who were on the bench, they are on the front foot. 

‘They want to be part of the train at the moment and you have to be on the front foot, otherwise we leave the train station without some players, and this is tough.

‘We need the challenge, we need a strong squad. This is also important for me, when we make subs we have to be better, that we get impacts.’

Delighted with the solid display his side delivered, Rohl added: ‘They played some good football for some minutes, in some parts we had some easy ball-losing situations, but all in all, I’m very proud of the group at the moment.

‘After the game at the weekend, you never know, it’s always difficult to play three days later again, but we delivered again, and the next three points help us.

‘You should not forget, you play against a team, you never know what comes when they change the manager.’

Emmanuel Fernandez rises highest to head in the opening goal for Rangers at Ibrox

The big defender is delighted after giving Danny Rohl’s side a crucial lead against Dons

Peter Leven wants to see more from Aberdeen when teams meet again on Sunday

Aberdeen’s player failed to provide a spark for interim boss Peter Leven following Jimmy Thelin’s sacking. Leven said ahead of Sunday’s return match at Pittodrie: ‘I’m disappointed to lose the goals that we lost. 

‘But the boys reacted the way I wanted. The pressing was good, the intensity, the fight was there.

‘At times when we do play, we look like a good team. I thought we had enough chances to take something from the game. 

‘We had clearer chances (to score goals ourselves). You need to take those opportunities. Just add a little bit of end product, a little bit of composure.’