Rangers must lose negativity quickly, says new head coach Danny Rohl

New Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has told his players they must get rid of the ‘negative energy’ around the club quickly.

The 36-year-old German has only been in the job for two days and faces a tough baptism away to Brann on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Rohl replaced Russell Martin in the Ibrox hotseat after the former Southampton manager’s calamitous reign came to an end earlier this month.

Now he’s looking to turn things around quickly in Norway, with Rangers still pointless in Europe this season, and is determined to instil a positive mindset.

‘I met all of the players and when I speak with them, I see a smile on their face, and it gives me a good belief that we are on the right path,’ said Rohl.

‘I think this is very important, we have to turn the negative energy and the disappointments into positive energy, and this is our mindset.

‘I see a lot of good things, and I am also convinced that if we work day by day some players will surprise people because they will get better and better.’

Martin never convinced in the role and he also had a very public rift with Belgian international midfielder Nico Raskin, which did nothing for squad morale.

Now Rohl must get the players on his side - and following his tactics - if he is to turn things around in both Europe and domestically.

‘We have a clear idea, but it is about the right attitude,’ he continued. ‘I expect a very intense game (against Brann), and I think we will face a team who are well organised and play with a good pressure.

‘It will be a fight for second balls as well and we have to be ready for this. I know it will not be the perfect game, but it is not necessary to have the perfect game.

‘I have enjoyed getting straight into this club and getting the feeling of what it means to be manager here and the last two training sessions went very well.

‘The team listened, they tried to follow what we wanted to do and tomorrow we have a great start with this game. It is not normal that you start straight away with a European game at a new club, but I am really looking forward to it.’

Meanwhile, Rohl has brought in Sascha Lense as first-team performance manager and Matthias Kaltenbach as assistant coach.

Lense worked alongside Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday and was previously part of Ralf Rangnick’s backroom team at Manchester United.

It is thought former Rangers stars Steven Davis and Neil McCann are also in the running for an assistant role.