Rangers FC manager Danny Röhl has played down the on-field altercation between Emmanuel Fernandez and Tochi Chukwuani during their dramatic 6-3 victory over Falkirk, describing it as a sign of growing leadership within the squad.

Fernandez confronted his team-mate Tochi Chukwuani over his role in conceding the opening two goals, but Chukwuani responded by pulling one back just before half-time.

Despite the heated exchange, Röhl insisted the moment reflected a positive shift in team mentality rather than a cause for concern.

"We were honest to each other at half-time," Röhl said during his post-match press conference, via the Daily Record. "I especially liked that the players were also honest with each other, which helps."

He revealed that the dressing room atmosphere at the interval was already charged, allowing him to focus more on tactical adjustments than emotional intervention.

"I was able to give them some instructions and solutions. And in the second half, it was one direction," he added. 

"It wasn't necessary for me to give too many emotions at half-time because the players themselves were emotional. They spoke to each other. That shows we're growing as a group and we have leaders in the right moments."

Röhl explained that his key contribution at the break was to reinforce belief and fine-tune the team's approach, particularly their pressing structure.

"It was more important to give them my trust and make them believe in what we are doing. The other part was about what we had to adjust. We changed our pressing a little bit. We allowed the opponent too many long balls in behind. It was better in the second half.

"We were more hungry and front-footed which helps. "When I got here, it was quiet. I remember after the game in Bergen, I tried to start a conversation with the players but I spoke more than them. "Now, finally we're growing. That's normal, that's the culture that we want."

Both Fernandez and Chukwuani went on to play important roles in the comeback, underlining the manager's assertion that the squad is developing resilience and accountability.

The result keeps Rangers firmly in contention in the Scottish Premiership title race, with momentum building at a crucial stage of the season.

Adeyemi Adewale