Rangers boss Danny Rohl did not rule out his team challenging for the Scottish Premiership title despite falling 12 points adrift of leaders Hearts.

Rohl watched on as his side were beaten 2-1 at Tynecastle Park by Hearts on Sunday, with Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland's first-half goals enough for the hosts. 

Indeed, it was the first time the former Sheffield Wednesday boss had been beaten in the top-flight, having gone eight games without defeat since taking over from Russell Martin.

The Opta supercomputer hands Rangers just a 3.2% chance of lifting the title in 2025-26, with rivals Celtic (39.8%) and Hearts (56.9%) more fancied in its season simulations.

Rohl, however, believes his team are capable of making up the gap at the summit, starting with their clash at home to Motherwell this Saturday.

"After the Hearts game, of course, the feeling was disappointment, but we have to go forward again," said Rohl. "It's about us creating a new momentum, a new run.

"If I asked you eight weeks ago if it was possible to have, at the end of December, a game where we are in a title race? Then you would say, 'I'm not sure'.

"It hurts at the moment that we had this small setback, but it's for us to start winning games again. There are still 20 games to go, and if you do this, then you have a chance.

"I think the feeling before the game was really strong from our side. I felt from all players that we really believed we are back. Now we have to understand where we are."

Rangers face a tricky run of fixtures over the festive period, with their clash against Motherwell followed by games against St. Mirren, Celtic and Aberdeen.

They have won just one of their last five league meetings with Motherwell (D2 L2), going winless in their last three (D2 L1) since a 2-1 victory in August 2024.

Never before in their club's history have they gone four games without a league win against them, with Rohl acknowledging the difficulty of the task that awaits his players.

"This weekend we will face a team that are also on a good run," added Rohl. "They are flying, a lot of good results, a lot of good points, but it will be a good game.

"We will have a lot of supporters, it's Christmas. Let's try to create a good energy in the stadium, a togetherness.

"We have to deliver a proper fight, a good performance on the pitch and take the next result, then we can look to the next game.

"Six or seven weeks ago, there was not one thought about the title race, and I think we feel what it means, that we have a chance, even in eight games, to close the gap again.

"But it's about results, and I believe we need a better run, and this is not easy, especially with the upcoming eight games."

There is some hope for Rangers, though. They have won three of their four home league games under Rohl (D1), after a period of only two wins in their last 10 games (D4 L4).