Rangers squad quality 'increased', says Rohl after winter business

Danny Rohl believes Rangers have "increased the quality in the squad", even though they have reduced head count.

Forward Ryan Naderi, 22, became the club's fourth winter capture after midfielder Tochi Chukwuani, winger Andreas Skov Olsen and left-back Tuur Rommens, while three players went out on loan and Kieran Dowell and Joe Rothwell moved on.

And the head coach hinted their could be further exits, with transfer windows still open in certain parts.

Speculation suggests Wales winger Rabbi Matondo could negotiate an early end to his deal, which is up at the end of the summer. Forward Danilo was linked with a loan move to NEC Nijmegen.

"I'm very positive about this," Rohl said of the turnover.

"Not just about the ins but also how we handled the outs. I'm very happy with what we did so far.

"We reduced the numbers but we increased the quality in the squad."

On Naderi, Rohl said of the German who joined from Hansa Rostock: "I'm very happy that we could sign him yesterday, very late. It was a long process with him. He showed straight that he wanted to come and was very clear.

"We tracked him the last couple of weeks and months. He scored, he had some good assists, he's powerful, he can run. Good header, good physicality, good pressing player - a lot of things we need up front. He needs some minutes to adapt to a new league.

"He played regularly a lot of minutes in the last couple of weeks."

Rohl also likened Naderi to Germany-capped forwards Fredi Bobic and Nick Woltemade, the latter currently with Newcastle United and Bobic having retired in 2006.

Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts could move nine points clear of Celtic and Rangers with victory over St Mirren on Tuesday evening (20:00 GMT). Rangers host Kilmarnock on Wednesday (19:45), when Celtic are away to Aberdeen (20:00).

"We have minimum two games against them," Rohl said of "consistent" Hearts.

"We can win a lot of games until the end of the season. I can't give you the guarantee that we win 14 games because there is still the opponent.

"I'm totally convinced that this group has everything to move forward in this final steps."