Danny Rohl explains why Rangers players have so much confidence in goalkeeper Ivor Pandur

Ivor Pandur has quickly established himself as one of Rangers’ most dependable performers since arriving from Hull City during the summer transfer window.

Alongside centre-back Owelthu Makhanya, the 26-year-old Croatian has been among the standout performers for the Light Blues this season after signing a four-year contract at Ibrox.

Pandur has brought greater composure and reliability to the Rangers defence, with another impressive display helping his side secure a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Barclays Hampden.

His performances have clearly impressed manager Danny Rohl, who was full of praise for the goalkeeper ahead of Rangers’ William Hill Premiership meeting with St Mirren in Paisley.

The Rangers boss believes Pandur’s influence extends beyond his individual performances, highlighting the confidence he provides to the defenders playing in front of him.

“I think he’s done so well,” Rohl explained.

The German also suggested that Pandur’s consistent displays have meant he rarely attracts attention for the wrong reasons, which is a reflection of how effectively he has settled into life at Ibrox.

“The fact I don’t really get asked a lot about Pandur, he’s just so quietly effective, and I think the players hold such a high regard for him and take confidence from him.”

Rohl went on to explain how important it is for defenders to have complete trust in their goalkeeper, recalling his own experiences as a player when uncertainty over the man between the posts could affect the entire team.

He believes Pandur has created the opposite situation at Rangers, with his reliability allowing the defenders to play with greater assurance.

The manager also highlighted the Croatian’s ability to deal with different situations, whether that involves playing with the ball at his feet, commanding his penalty area or making crucial saves.

“There’s nothing worse — I’ve been there as a player when you’re not sure about your goalie and it affects a lot of what’s happening on the pitch. But when you know you’ve got a good one there, it sends out the exact opposite.”

Rohl was particularly impressed by Pandur’s attitude during training sessions, revealing that the goalkeeper approaches every attempt with the same determination to prevent a goal.

“The confidence that he sends throughout the team I think is clear, whether it’s dealing with things at his feet, in the air. His shot-stopping is unbelievable.”

He added that Pandur’s mentality is one of the qualities that makes him such an important figure within the squad.

“He doesn’t try harder for one shot than he does the next one. Everything is ‘You’re not beating me’, I think he plays the game that way. He’s been brilliant.”

Rangers boss addresses Premier Sports Cup final excitement

Rangers will face Hibernian in next month’s Premier Sports Cup final after overcoming Aberdeen in the semi-finals.

The occasion represents an opportunity for the Ibrox club to secure their first trophy of the season and potentially deliver an important milestone during Rohl’s time in charge.

The Rangers manager acknowledged the significance of reaching the final, insisting that progressing through a cup competition to reach the showpiece occasion should always be something the club values.

“It’s not easy getting to a cup final, and the fact that we’re there now, you’ve got to try and be pleased with that.”

Rohl also revealed that excitement surrounding the final was evident throughout the club, particularly after attending the Rangers Charity Foundation ball on Sunday.

He believes supporters and everyone connected with Rangers should become accustomed to seeing their team compete for silverware.

“I think the whole club — I was at the Charity Foundation ball on Sunday — and everybody’s so excited about going to the cup final, and that’s where we should be. It should be the norm that we should be feeling that we’re turning up at cup finals and putting ourselves in a position.”

However, the Rangers boss was keen to ensure that his players do not become distracted by the upcoming final, stressing that their immediate attention must remain on the Premiership encounter with St Mirren.

He warned that the excitement surrounding a cup final can quickly disappear if the team fails to deliver a positive result in its next fixture.

Rohl added that maintaining concentration and continuing to work hard would be essential as Rangers look to build on their semi-final success before the international break.