Rangers Defender Rommens: Big-Game Mentality Yet to Be Proven

Rangers defender Tuur Rommens stated that the team has yet to prove its development of a strong big-game mentality, emphasizing that success can only be measured by silverware at the end of the season.

Rommens, 23, recently returned after an 11-week absence due to a groin injury, featuring as a second-half substitute in the club's recent 4-0 victory over St Johnstone. He is now vying for the left-back position at Ibrox.

The Scottish club faces a significant run of fixtures, including an away match at Tynecastle against Hearts on Wednesday, which Rommens anticipates will be a true test of their title aspirations. This will be followed by a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Rommens observed a more resilient mindset within the squad under manager Derek McInnes this season, a contrast to the previous term when hopes for the title faded. However, he stressed that past performances should not be the focus, and tangible results are paramount.

"You can say it at the end of the season if there was a mentality change or not. We just need to keep going and not speak about last season," Rommens said when asked about a perceived shift in mentality.

He acknowledged the heightened pressure surrounding the upcoming match against Hearts, particularly given the manager's return to Gorgie and the club's previous transfers of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin from the Edinburgh side. "Hearts, because of what they did last year, and also now that the gaffer is here and with Shanks and Cammy, means there’s a little bit more pressure on the game, but we’ll be ready for it," Rommens stated. "We need to finish above them. There’s no doubt about it."

Rommens experienced a challenging start to the current season before his injury. He believes he is now prepared to build upon the strong performances he delivered after joining from Westerlo in January.

"In football, you have to deal with injuries. I’ve had a couple now and I’m a little bit unlucky with that," he commented. "I was desperate to come back and be better than before."

He also praised the performance of James Penrice during his absence. "James Penrice did well coming in. I think the whole team did well. It’s good to have competition in a team like Rangers because with 11 players you cannot win a championship."

Rommens highlighted the manager's guidance: "The manager gives you a lot of tools to work with and he gives you confidence to do your stuff on the pitch with guidelines. I think you can see that on the pitch now."

"The first couple of games was difficult but we’re getting better and better and everybody understands what is expected of him. I think it can only get better."