RabiuDerek Cornelius: Rangers outcast makes clear point to Danny Rohl with Canada performance
Derek Cornelius was excellent in Canada’s win over Uzbekistan, just days after revealing he felt “disrespected” by Danny Rohl over his role at Rangers.
The 28-year-old central defender joined Rangers on a season-long loan deal from Marseille last summer, and had made 12 total appearances before suffering a hamstring injury last November.
Despite returning to fitness in February, Cornelius was shunned from the first-team squad by Rohl for the remainder of the season, failing to make a single matchday squad in the calendar year of 2026.
He was even banished to youth team training after his relationship with Rohl deteriorated, and is now set to return to Marseille this summer.
Rangers have the option to trigger a permanent transfer for Cornelius this summer, but with Rohl leading the Gers into next season, that feels extremely unlikely.
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How did Derek Cornelius fare for Canada vs Uzbekistan?
As detailed in a report from The Scotsman, Cornelius made no secret of how he was made to feel by Rohl.
“I felt very disrespected,” he said following the conclusion to Rangers’ 2025-26 campaign.
Cornelius’ 25-26 Scottish Prem stats Result
Minutes played 559
Duels won per 90 8.21
Touches per 90 94.3
Tackles per 90 2.42
Average match rating 7.5
Per FotMob
“I said to them, ‘I can help this team’ in some way, whether that’s starting, whether it’s five minutes to hold on to a lead, or whether that’s having a conversation with a guy – a younger player – saying, ‘Don’t worry about the pressure, just focus on your job.’ Whatever.
“But I wasn’t given a solid reason as to why I was not considered. It was tough. It was really tough. I was hoping the situation would change.
“Maybe if the manager saw the way I’ve been training for the last two, three weeks, he could have changed his mind, but it wasn’t the case and it’s disappointing.”
Cornelius will now be looking to put his Rangers frustration behind him this summer, as he looks to enjoy a successful World Cup with Canada.
Rangers Danny Rohl on Derek Cornelius exile
In preparation for a home tournament, Jesse March’s men are playing two friendlies prior to their first World Cup game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June.
And, in the early hours of Tuesday morning UK time, Canada ran out 2-0 winners over Uzbekistan in the first of those two friendly games, with Cornelius playing 70 minutes.
As per FotMob, Cornelius completed 90 per cent of his pass attempts and his two dribbles successfully, whilst also winning four of his five ground duels and winning two fouls.
He also played four of his five long balls accurately, was dispossessed zero times, made seven recoveries, completed 10 passes into the final third and took 61 total touches respectively.
Who do Canada and Cornelius play in the World Cup?Cornelius put in a very impressive performance against Uzbekistan, and if Rohl was watching, he may well have been left pondering whether or not he did in fact make a mistake not handing him more Rangers minutes last term.
Should he enjoy a strong World Cup, that feeling may only grow in Rohl’s mind, but how good a tournament are he and Canada likely to have this summer?
Well, they’ve been drawn in Group B, which is about as wide-open a group as you’re likely to find at this summer’s tournament.
The Canadians kick-off their World Cup campaign against Bosnia in Toronto on Friday 12 June, in an 8pm kick-off UK time, before taking on Qatar on Thursday 18 June in an 11pm kick-off UK time in Vancouver.
Their final group stage match is against Switzerland on Wednesday 24 June, in an 8pm kick-off UK time in Vancouver once again.
Due to the nature of how wide-open this group is, and given Canada are on home soil, Cornelius and Co. look to have a very strong chance of progressing into the knockout stages, which is surely their minimum aim.
Rabiu
Musty
Bangerboy