After losing heavily to both Celtic and Ajax in back-to-back games, the heat was always going to be on Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Now, as even the media and the fans are turning the pressure on the Ibrox manager, you have to question how long he’ll remain in that post. Especially when a former Celtic star seems to be a lonely backer.
Van Bronckhorst’s comments after the defeat in Amsterdam last week could well be a critical turning point and perhaps one where the story changes dramatically. The Dutchman had been facing some tough questions and seemed to suggest that the Rangers could not compete against other Champions League sides like Ajax, considering the financial gulf.
That was a surprising comment indeed and perhaps prompted a rethink at Ibrox in terms of the confidence the manager was held in. And now, it looks like the media narrative around Van Bronckhorst is starting to change.
A lot of fans seem to have already made up their mind and want the manager gone. And they made it known on social media.
GVB out now
— J (@jjrjjr90) September 7, 2022
GVB is out of his depth here and has been let down considerably by failure to recruit. We are a joke. #rangers
— Carefree Cantwell🏆🏆💙💛/💙❤️ (@carefreecj1872) September 7, 2022
I always felt GVB should get time but now I might be joining the GVB out brigade
— Bill Fyfe (@bill_fyfe) September 7, 2022
Former Celtic hero backs Van Bronckhorst
Van Bronckhorst has found an unlikely source of backing in the former of Chris Sutton. While speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, the Celtic hero said as reported by HITC:
"“Rangers didn’t play at the weekend against Aberdeen. People I know from the Rangers side are saying ‘well, if Rangers lost to Aberdeen at the weekend, then the fans would really turn on van Bronckhorst and be calling for his sacking’.“I am saying, come on, that’s absolutely ridiculous. On the basis that this is a guy, only a couple of weeks back, beats PSV, gets Rangers into the Champions League and last season a Europa League final. People have short memories in Glasgow.”"
Is this one of those moments where the story around the manager is starting to change from supportive to questioning? A number of former Rangers players have even questioned Van Bronckhorst in recent times.
The rescheduled home match against Napoli on Wednesday could be another significant moment in the managerial hot seat for Van Bronckhorst. If the Ibrox side suffer another heavy defeat, he might be walking a tightrope.
It is safe to say that Van Bronckhorst could not have seen this coming when he guided the Rangers to the Europa League final just some months back.