RANGERS secured their first Europa League victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ludogorets, extending their incredible domestic and continental winning streak to seven matches under Danny Rohl.
While the three points weren’t enough to save the Gers’ slim hopes of reaching the knockout stages, the result serves as another vital building block for Rohl’s “Rohl-ution.” A scrappy first-half strike from Mohamed Diomande proved to be the difference on a night where the result mattered more than the performance.
Diomande Finds the Breakthrough
Despite the “dead rubber” feel to the standings, Danny Rohl showed his intent by making seven changes from the side that beat Annan Athletic, restoring his first-choice XI. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute following a goalmouth scramble from a corner, where Mohamed Diomande reacted quickest to tuck the ball home from close range.
It was a moment of redemption for the Ivorian, who became the first Rangers player to score in Europe immediately following a red card in his previous outing since the legendary Ally McCoist in 1990.
Missed Chances and Defensive Resilience
Rangers had opportunities to put the game out of sight. Bojan Miovski, coming off the bench, missed a gilt-edged chance after a spectacular turn and pass from Diomande, while Youssef Chermiti will feel he should have done better with a first-half opening.
At the other end, Jack Butland was called into action to produce a world-class save from Petar Stanic to preserve the lead. While the visitors threatened late on, the Rangers backline held firm to secure a clean sheet and maintain a remarkable record: the Gers are now unbeaten in 35 home games in the month of January dating back to 2011.
The Findlay Curtis Conundrum
The biggest talking point for the Ibrox faithful wasn’t the scoreline, but the 15-minute cameo from teenager Findlay Curtis. Following his Man of the Match display in the Scottish Cup, Curtis again looked like the brightest spark on the pitch, forcing Hendrik Bonmann into a stunning save with a curled effort late on.
With reports suggesting Curtis is destined for a move to Kilmarnock, his performance tonight has left many wondering if Rohl should be doing more to keep the youngster in Govan for the title run-in.
Focus Shifts to the Title Race
With European progression now mathematically impossible—Rangers sit four points behind 24th-placed Celtic with only one game remaining—the focus shifts entirely to the Scottish Premiership.
The Gers host Dundee this Sunday, looking to make it eight wins on the bounce and keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts. If Rohl can maintain this momentum, the lack of European football in the spring might just prove to be a blessing in disguise for their title ambitions.
Key Match Stats
- Winning Streak: 7 consecutive wins in all competitions.
- European Drought Over: Rangers ended a nine-game winless run in the Europa League.
- Fortress Ibrox: Unbeaten in 35 January home games (W31 D4).
Gers fans, was that a professional performance or a missed opportunity to blood more youngsters? And should Danny Rohl pull out all the stops to keep Findlay Curtis? Let us know in the comments!
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
