Rangers closed out a turbulent Scottish Premiership campaign with a dominant 5-2 victory over Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium, as Youssef Chermiti’s hat-trick provided a rare bright spot on an otherwise disappointing final day. The win did little to mask the reality of a third-place finish and a fourth consecutive season without a league title, but it offered a glimpse of the attacking potential that manager Danny Röhl will hope to harness in the coming rebuild.
The match exploded into life inside the opening six minutes. Chermiti, the 21-year-old Portuguese striker, opened the scoring almost immediately, and then doubled his tally moments later to stun the home crowd. His movement and clinical finishing exemplified the kind of direct, high-intensity football that Röhl has been trying to instill, and it seemed as though Rangers would run riot.
However, an extraordinary error from experienced goalkeeper Jack Butland handed Falkirk a lifeline. Attempting to control a routine pass back from Tuur Rommens, Butland misjudged the ball completely, allowing it to roll into his own net. It was a moment of sheer disbelief, and it shifted the momentum. Suddenly, the home side—already assured of a top-six finish in their first season back in the top flight—sensed an opportunity.
Rangers restored their two-goal cushion just before the half-hour mark. Djeidi Gassama, who has shown flashes of promise this season, found the net after a period of sustained pressure. The goal seemed to settle the visitors, but Falkirk refused to fold. Just before the break, Calvin Miller converted a penalty to make it 3-2, ensuring that the contest remained alive heading into the interval.
Chermiti completed his hat-trick within two minutes of the restart, rising highest to head home and effectively kill the game. It was a statement of intent from the young forward, who has now scored five goals in his last two appearances against Falkirk, following the 6-3 thriller at the same venue last month. Thelo Aasgaard added a fifth from the penalty spot in the 78th minute, capping off a scoreline that flattered Rangers but accurately reflected their attacking firepower on the day.
For Rangers, the final whistle brought an end to a season marred by inconsistency. Four successive post-split defeats had already extinguished any lingering title aspirations, and the pressure on Röhl had intensified. Speaking after the match, the German coach acknowledged the rollercoaster nature of the campaign. “Four weeks ago here, I was totally convinced that we could win the league, but we couldn’t,” he said. “The gap was too big and there were too many defeats. We were competitive but not good enough in the key moments.” His candor underscored the frustration of a club that last lifted the Premiership trophy in 2021 and has since struggled to mount a genuine challenge.
Röhl stressed the need for both continuity and change. “We need to keep a core. It's important to continue with that but also important to have fresh blood and energy with new players,” he noted, suggesting that a significant summer overhaul is imminent. The manager himself is determined to learn from this experience, stating, “After these games, I will be a better manager than before.” With the Ibrox faithful growing restless, the pressure will be on to deliver tangible progress next season.
Falkirk, meanwhile, can reflect on a season that exceeded all reasonable expectations. Under John McGlynn, the Bairns secured a top-six finish in their first campaign back in the Premiership, a remarkable achievement that has raised the bar for the club. McGlynn was pragmatic about the challenges ahead, saying, “There's no doubt we will have raised expectation levels, we have done it all season, that's the nature of the beast. It will be difficult but that is the challenge but it's about getting recruitment right which we have done the last few years.” The small club with a tight budget will have to navigate the added pressure of heightened hopes, but McGlynn’s track record in the transfer market offers reason for optimism.
The match also served as a reminder of the fine margins in Scottish football. Rangers’ ability to score goals has rarely been in question—they put six past Falkirk just weeks ago—but defensive lapses and mental fragility have repeatedly undermined their efforts. The own goal by Butland, a veteran of over 400 appearances, was emblematic of a side that too often shoots itself in the foot. Until those systemic issues are addressed, closing the gap to Celtic and others will remain a distant dream.
From a tactical standpoint, Röhl’s high-pressing system produced moments of exhilarating football, but the team’s inability to sustain concentration over 90 minutes has been a recurring theme. The summer window will be crucial for bringing in players who fit the philosophy and can execute it consistently. Chermiti’s emergence as a reliable goal-scorer is a significant positive, but he will need support if Rangers are to mount a serious title bid next term.
For Falkirk, the focus will be on retaining key performers and adding depth to compete across a full season. Their spirited performance, even in defeat, showed a team with character and belief. Miller’s penalty and the way they responded to early setbacks demonstrated a resilience that will serve them well. However, as McGlynn conceded, repeating or building on this season’s success will be a formidable task.
As the curtain falls on the Scottish Premiership season, both clubs face pivotal summers. Rangers must undergo yet another rebuild, while Falkirk will look to consolidate and perhaps dream of even greater heights. This 5-2 encounter, for all its entertainment, was ultimately a microcosm of their respective campaigns: Rangers’ intermittent brilliance overshadowed by self-destruction, and Falkirk’s plucky defiance against the odds. The road ahead promises to be fascinating.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
