Tuur Rommens doesn’t want to hear anything about Rangers proving they have developed a big-game mentality until the trophies are decided at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old Belgian made his return after 11 weeks out with a groin problem in as a second-half substitute in the weekend’s 4-0 home win over St Johnstone and is now ready to battle with James Penrice for the left-back berth at Ibrox at an important time of the season.
Rangers go to Tynecastle on Wednesday evening for what will be a real test of their title credentials, while Saturday brings a Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Aberdeen at Hampden.
Rommens detects a tougher mindset under manager Derek McInnes this season after seeing hopes of a title win under ex-boss Danny Rohl crumble to ashes towards the end of last term.
However, he is clear that actions have to speak louder than words in the wake of past failings.
Asked if he felt the mentality was stronger right now, he replied: ‘Yes, I think so but we need to make it true.
Tuur Rommens returned from two months out injured in his club’s 4-0 defeat of St Johnstone
‘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 realises Tynecastle will be a stern examination of the minerals of the squad with the atmosphere likely to be red-hot for McInnes’ return to Gorgie after quitting for Ibrox in the summer. Rangers, of course, also pinched Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin from the capital club.
‘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,’ said Rommens.
‘We need to finish above them. There’s no doubt about it.’
Rommens endured a slow start to this term before injury, but feels he is now ready to build on a lot of the impressive performances he delivered after arriving 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 said. ‘I was desperate to come back and be better than before.
‘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.
‘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.’
