Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rolle has taken on an unenviable task when he joins the club to replace Russell Martin, who won only five games as manager.
The German head coach took over a team with incredibly low confidence and had to turn things around without a deal, winning four straight in the Scottish Premiership.
However, after Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Falkirk at Ibrox, Gers were unable to make it to five games and the manager has made it clear that players who underperform will be held accountable accordingly.
One of the side’s failures to be in the starting XI against Dundee United on Wednesday is Oliver Antman, who will be out for two months with an injury.
Why Danny Rolle should replace Oliver Ant-Man
Even if he hadn’t been injured, the Finnish international should have been left out by manager Danny Rohr as he didn’t provide a quality performance for the team from the start against Falkirk.
Antman finished the 2024/25 season with seven goals and 17 assists in all competitions for the Go Ahead Eagles, according to Sofascore, but his time at Ibrox was barren in comparison.
According to Transfermarkt, the Finnish forward, who has played 20 games for Rangers, has yet to register a goal or assist in 18 games, with three assists in the remaining two games.
The 24-year-old played 57 minutes against Falkirk on Sunday, but failed to hit a shot on target or create any “big chances” for his team-mates, according to SofaScore, and his absence through injury means another team will have a chance to cement his place.
Rangers talent that could end Ant-Man’s Ibrox career
The Light Blues head coach could finally end Ant-Man’s Ibrox career by releasing academy graduate Findlay Curtis as a starter in the side. This is because a young Scottish player could secure the position and deny the former Eredivisie star minutes.
Rolle must give the 19-year-old star his first senior start of the season in the Premiership on Wednesday night. Because his performance this year suggests he deserves more time on the pitch for the Gers.
vs Falkirk | findlay curtis |
|---|---|
minutes | 15 |
cross attempt | 1 |
foul win | 2 |
Pass accuracy | 100% |
clearance | 3 |
tackle win | 1/1 |
Won a ground duel | 3/4 |
won an aerial battle | 1/2 |
Statistics by Sofascore | |
As shown in the table above, Curtis came off the bench in a cameo appearance on Sunday and showed he has the physicality to compete at a first-team level, winning four of six games and committing two fouls.
The teenage star, who was dubbed the ‘Boy Wonder’ by Premier Sports for his match against Panathinaikos in July, has shown glimpses of his exciting qualities at the top end of the pitch this season, scoring three goals in 259 minutes.
Curtis, who scored off the bench in August’s Premiership win over St Mirren, has not started a first-team game since starting both games against Panathinaikos in July, despite scoring two more goals.
The lack of playing time, both as a starter and off the bench, is pretty surprising, especially considering Ant-Man and the team’s overall form, which is why it’s now time for Roll to let him go from the get-go.
If the Scotland Under-21 international is able to flourish in the team and contribute regular goals for the Light Blues, the under-performing Ant-Man will certainly struggle to return to the squad given his lack of form this season.
Curtis, who has scored four goals and provided three assists in eight games for the B team at academy level, could therefore be the player to end the Finnish international’s career at Ibrox, as a winger who can play on either flank could usurp Curtis’ place in the squad.
Rangers’ ‘best player’ needs ‘sideline spell’
The Glasgow Rangers star, who was hailed as the team’s best player, should be left out of the starting XI.
But first it is up to the Rangers manager to provide the academy graduate with a platform to help Antman end his career at the club, starting with Wednesday night’s league game against Dundee United due to Antman’s injury.
